Contact: Ann Grimm
Port of Bellingham
(360) 676-2500 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2006
CELEBRATE OPENING DAY OF BOATING SEASON
May 6 at Squalicum Harbor
[Bellingham, Wash.] Opening Day of Boating Season festivities are shaping up to kick off another great year of boating. Boats of all shapes and sizes will commence with traditional pomp and ceremony along with other special events that will launch Opening Day on Saturday, May 6 at Squalicum Harbor Marina.
The Bellingham Yacht Club’s ceremony will be followed by a floating celebration—a parade across the bay. This year’s theme is Carnivale. Great shore side viewing of the parade can be found at Boulevard Park and the Taylor Street Pier.
Schedule of Events
12:00 p.m. Opening Day Ceremony and Blessing of the Fleet at Gate 3 in front of Bellingham Yacht Club
1:00 p.m. “Boats Away!” Parade, open to all vessels.
1:30 p.m. Boats rendezvous at Bellingham Cruise Terminal for parade start.
Other Opening Day events include:
• Free safety vessel checks for all boaters offered by the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will from 9 a.m. to noon at Squalicum Harbor Gate 3.
• Opening Day Breakfast hosted by the Squalicum Bay Yacht Club from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Suggested donation: $4 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Bellingham Food Bank. SYC Bridge officers and members will be on hand to share information about the club and their activities.
• First Annual Gear Swap from 9 am – 11 am – The Corinthian Yacht Club invites you to gather that gear from your garage, boat locker or anywhere else for the gear swap which will be located outside the Squalicum Yacht Club near Seaview North Boatyard’s gate.
For additional information on Opening Day activities, please call the Squalicum Harbor Office at (360) 676-2542.
The Port of Bellingham operates Whatcom County’s major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors.
In addition, about 300 businesses operate on Port properties, which are managed by the Port Real Estate Division. The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special purpose government.
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