Opening Day in Seattle is almost here! For boaters, it marks the official start of boating season in a big way. The Opening Day Parade starts at noon on Saturday, May 7th, announced by a cannon blast and the raising of the Montlake Bridge. The day is packed full of festivities that you won’t want to miss. Sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club, Opening Day in Seattle is one of the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.
Opening Day has a storied history
According to Seattle Yacht Club folklore, the first Opening Day took place in early May 1913 with a parade and regatta in Elliott Bay. When the club moved to the Montlake Cut in 1920, the celebration moved, too. The event has evolved over the decades and now includes the Windermere Cup, a much anticipated annual race co-hosted by the University of Washington crew teams. This year will be the 30th anniversary of the Windermere Cup.
Get on the water with Carefree Boats
But what if you don’t own a boat? You can always grab a blanket and a picnic basket and head over to Gasworks Park or the Montlake Cut to watch from the sidelines. Or you can become a Carefree Boat member and get on the water. We make it easy to enjoy boating life without the cost, maintenance and headaches of being a boat owner. Check out our fleet of boats and get started today. Reservations for Opening Day are going fast but don’t worry – if you can’t be on the water for Opening Day, you can get on the water as much as you’d like after!
