Opening Day Boat Parade ships out May 6

Submitted by the San Juan Island Yacht Club

All are invited to the Friday Harbor waterfront at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, for the island’s annual Opening Day Boat Parade. Visualize a Fourth of July parade on the water. The parade can best be viewed from Spring Street Landing and adjoining waterfront locations.

The parade’s theme is “A Community Afloat,” inviting all community members and organizations to participate. This year the event is highlighting “Our Island Stewards,” which are the organizations that contribute to the health, beauty and resilience of the island home. In keeping with this theme, Chris Guidotti, San Juan area manager of Washington State Parks will be the grand marshall.

The parade will mark the first public showing of the two Lummi traveling canoes built by Spring Street students under the supervision of a Lummi elder.

Boats will parade before local dignitaries and judges with prizes awarded in five categories: most creative display of the theme, nautical display of traditional signal flags, classic wooden boat, human-powered craft, and commercial.

Boats of any size, whether power, sail or human-powered, are eligible to enter the parade. Registration is free, but entrants must register and receive a number to be in the parade. Register online at www.sjiyc.com. The Port of Friday Harbor is giving a free night of moorage on either Saturday, May 5 or Sunday, May 6 to all parade entrants.

The parade awards ceremony will be held at the San Juan Island Yacht Club, 273 Front St., at 4:30 p.m. Boat parade participants, skippers and crews, are welcome to stay for a lasagna dinner, for $15 per person, after the awards ceremony, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Steve Percer will announce the parade on the dock at Spring Street Landing. The parade is sponsored by the San Juan Island Yacht Club in partnership with the Port of Friday Harbor.