NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, May 1.
The first weekend in May will be a day to get out on the water — or watch boats parade from the shore — as the Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles yacht clubs host public events.
The Port Townsend and Sequim Bay yacht clubs will celebrate their opening day of boating season with boat parades and other festivities Saturday.
The Port Angeles Yacht Club, which opened its season a couple of weeks ago, will host a water activities open house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Port Townsend Opening Day Boat Parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, with all boats regardless of size or means of propulsion invited to participate.
Yacht club members Marilynne Gates and Katherine Buchanan will address spectators from the reviewing stand on the Northwest Maritime Center Pier to describe the boats and participants.
Commodore Gerry Walsh and his boat Celtic Sun will be on hand as the boats pass in review.
The waterfront parade can be viewed from the maritime center pier, Pope Marine Park or other locations along Water Street.
Mayor David King will welcome the community to the annual event, and Pastor Tony Brown of Trinity Methodist Church will conduct the traditional Blessing of the Fleet at 1:45 p.m. at the maritime center pier.
Yacht club members whose boats are moored outside of Port Townsend are encouraged to cruise into Boat Haven for the weekend and enjoy the Opening Day Breakfast at 8:45 a.m. and the Clam Feed featuring Ivar’s Clam Chowder at 4 p.m. at the club.
Sequim
The Sequim club’s open house will begin at 10 a.m., with members’ sail and power boats on display at the courtesy docks at John Wayne Marina, 2577 W. Sequim Bay Road.
Club members will offer the opportunity to experience sailing a 19-foot Flying Scot sailboat.
Visitors can learn about membership and the club’s “Family Learn to Sail” program.
A skippers’ meeting is set for 1 p.m. and a flag ceremony at 1:30 p.m.
At 2 p.m., the boat parade on Sequim Bay will begin.
A social hour will start at 3:30 p.m., and a potluck buffet is set for 4:30 p.m.
Port Angeles
A dozen organizations sharing a common interest in the marine and fresh waters in the area will join the Port Angeles club for Sunday’s open house at 1305 Marine Drive from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association rowers will dock their shells at the boat launch ramp along with the kayaks of the Olympic Peninsula Paddlers, said Paul Forrest, club vice commodore.
On-water demonstrations will be presented, and various yacht club power and sail boats will be open for tours.
The North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron will conduct free vessel safety checks for any boat in the marina or brought to the event, and 2015 decals will be provided for those that pass inspection.
Refreshments will be provided.
Several organizations will host informational booths.
In addition to club members, rowers and kayakers, participants will include the Port of Port Angeles, Feiro Marine Life Center, Port Angeles Salmon Club, Clallam County Streamkeepers, Port Angeles High School Sailing Team and Port Angeles High School Navy Junior ROTC.
The Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection also have been invited, Forrest said.
For information about the Port Townsend club, see www.ptyc.net.
For the Sequim club, see www.sequimbayyachtclub.org.
For more information about the Port Angeles club, contact Forrest at info@payc.org or 360-461-7435, or visit www.payc.org.