By Colleen Smith Armstrong
The Islands’ Sounder
After fighting to keep it on the schedule, the Anacortes-San Juan Islands-Sidney international ferry run is here to stay (for now), and islanders are invited to celebrate.
The City of Anacortes, the City of Sidney, the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, and the Anacortes Sister Cities Association are hosting the annual opening day festivities of the spring/summer season. Ferry riders can enjoy entertainment, snacks and time with state legislators and Washington State Ferries officials.
On Sunday, the ferry will depart Anacortes at 7:45 a.m., arrive in Sidney at 10:45 a.m., leave at 11:40, and be back in Anacortes at 2:45 p.m.
The boat will stop at Orcas and leave by 8:40 a.m., where it will arrive in Friday Harbor and leave at 9:30 and then proceed to Canada.
Walk-on passengers do not need a reservation. The 11:40 sailing will stop at Friday Harbor before returning to the mainland. Orcas residents can get home on the 2:15 p.m. sailing from Friday Harbor.
“This is an event that might be called a ‘celebration under a cloud,’” event organizer Duane Clark said.
“We are determined to enjoy this annual reuniting in a big way. We can’t, however, lose sight of the fact that the governor’s proposed budget for the next biennium would entirely eliminate this treasured connection between Anacortes, the San Juans, and Sidney.”
WSF is facing a $4.5 billion shortfall in the next 22 years. There is not enough money in the capital fund to pay for new boats and upgraded terminals. Legislators are still deliberating on how to close long-range funding gap.
Lance Evans of the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce said a strong local turnout is needed.
“We hope Orcasians will wear something that will get you noticed — Orcas sweatshirts, hats and the like would be perfect. Make a sign or banner and show your support of our ferries.”
A round-trip ticket for those traveling from the San Juans is $22, $11 for seniors/disabled, and $17.60 for youth.
Passengers will need to present one of the following to travel to Canada: passport, birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalization.
Contact Clark at dclark@capsantecourt.com or (360) 293-8088 for more information.
