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Thrill to the power of the world’s biggest tugboat races! Enjoy the Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off. Don’t miss free harbor tours, a boat building competition, sea-air rescue demonstration, kid’s events, Stories of the Sea and a container ship full of family fun.
The Downtown Seattle Waterfront is the place to be for the annual Seattle Maritime Festival, sponsored by Seattle Propeller Club with support from the Port of Seattle.
“The festival is designed to celebrate and showcase our maritime industry and the important role it plays in the Puget Sound region’s economy,” commented Seattle Propeller Club President Kimberly Lee.
More than 25,000 people annually enjoy Festival activities, which are unique blend of industry and public events.
Most of the public activities take place on the Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pier 66/Bell Harbor Marina and Pier 62/63 on the Downtown Seattle Waterfront.
A full schedule of events will be available in late April. For further information, call (206) 728-3163.
Tuesday, April 29
Lower Duwamish River Habitat Restoration Plan Open House
The Port of Seattle is launching a public involvement process to create help formulate an action plan for habitat restoration on Port-owned property along the Lower Duwamish River. The first public open house will be held from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at South Seattle Community College, Georgetown Campus.
Wednesday, April 30
Grand Opening for Phase 1 of Lake Union Park
Join Seattle Parks Foundation to celebrate the opening of the first phase of Lake Union Park! The public is invited to a community celebration with family activities, food, fun, and much more! From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call (206) 332-9900.
Friday, May 2
56th Annual Maritime Day Luncheon
During the luncheon, the Puget Sound Maritime Achievement Award, the Elected Official of the Year Award and Marine Environmental Business of the Year Award will be presented.
Saturday, May 3
Fourth Annual KETA Salmon Cook Off – Fishermen’s Terminal
Join us for the Fourth Annual Wild Keta Salmon Cook-off & Seafood BBQ Competition! This free community event will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Local chefs will be preparing wild keta salmon and sharing their recipes and secrets. Admission is free! For more information, call Fishermen’s Terminal at 206-728-3395.
Monday, May 5
Celebrity Judging for the Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood’s Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off
The Edgewater’s Six Seven Restaurant
Wednesday, May 7
Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society Dinner
The Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society will honor its five founders (four now deceased) at its monthly dinner meeting. For more information or dinner reservations, call Pat at ( 206) 938-2397.
Thursday, May 8
National Fisherman’s “Ninth Annual Stories of the Sea” Poetry Competition – Highliner Pub, Fishermen’s Terminal
The Festival will award cash prizes to the top three finishers in this unique Maritime Poetry Slam. Only 12 spaces are available and registration is on a first-come basis. To register call (206) 728-3456. Presented in cooperation with Pacific Marine Expo.
Saturday, May 10: Family Fun Day
U.S. Oil Seattle Tugboat Race Championships
The 24th Annual competition is the largest tugboat race in the world. This year, more than 40 boats are expected to participate. Racing is from the Grain Terminal, Pier 86, to the finish line at Pier 62/63.
Twelfth Annual Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off
Proceeds benefit maritime community and youth organizations.
World Invitational Survival Suit Races
Bell Harbor Marina
Three free Harbor Tours presented by the Port of Seattle
First sailing at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Vessel Tours, Remote Control Boat Demonstrations, Free Admission to Odyssey – The Maritime Discovery, Display Booths, Free Wooden Boat Building for Kids with the Center for Wooden Boats, Kid’s Activities Center, Port of Seattle Police Department K-9 Team and other cool events.
Watch the Tug Boat Races from the historic steam ship Virginia V.
This year she once again serves as the official finish line. Board the Virginia V at Pier 55 at approximately 11:30 AM. Return at approximately 4:30 PM. Call 206 624-9119 or email tickets@virginiav.org to purchase your tickets.
Watch the Tug Boat Races from the Royal Argosy. Luncheon cruise departs at 1 p.m. Call (206) 623-1445 for ticket information.
Cruise Terminals of America People’s Choice Award
Be sure to vote during the workboat parade and tugboat races for your favorite tug. Drop off your ballot on the Pier Apron Information Booth at Pier 62/63.
Sherwin Williams and Pacific Maritime Magazine Quick & Dirty Boatbuilding Competition, presented with TOTE
Industry teams compete in building a boat from standard materials starting at 9 a.m. at Pier 62/63. Judging at 3 p.m., with racing in the Bell Harbor Marina scheduled for 4 p.m.
Twelfth Annual Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood Waterfront Chowder Cook-Off
11 a.m. – 5 p.m., May 10-12. Discover the best chowder around! Special chowder tasting areas will be created inside each restaurant or retail store. Participants include Ivar’s, The Edgewater’s Six Seven Restaurant, Ivar’s, Steamer’s Seafood Cafe at Pier 56, and Todd English’s Fish Club. Buy your Chowder Passport for only $5 at all participating restaurants or at the festival information booths. Proceeds benefit maritime community and youth organizations.
The Chowder Cook-Off is sponsored by the Seattle Waterfront Neighborhood and the Metropolitan Improvement District.
Free Harbor Tours presented by the Port of Seattle – 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Thanks to the Port of Seattle and Argosy Cruises, you can discover the working waterfront during four free, one-hour, public tours. Board at Bell Harbor Marina/Pier 66 one-half hour prior to each departure. There is a limit of 400 guests for each tour. Stop by the Information Booth at Pier 66 to pick up your ticket. There is a limit of four tickets per adult, 18 years or older.
Remote Control Boat Demonstrations - 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Modelers from throughout the Northwest will be exhibiting and conducting demonstrations at Pier 66.
Free Admission to Odyssey – The Maritime Discovery Center - 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Presented by the Port of Seattle, come explore this dynamic maritime discovery center. Navigate your way through Odyssey’s galleries and interactive exhibits, where you become a part of the working waterfront.
Newsradio 710 KIRO Broadcasting Live
Newsradio 710 KIRO is the official radio partner of the Seattle Maritime Festival and will be on the Festival grounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meet morning host Jane Shannon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pier 66.
Maritime Discovery Map - Presented by the Washington State Ferries and American Seafoods Company.
Don’t miss this fun, interactive scavenger hunt to discover the Seattle Waterfront. Pick up your map at the Festival Information Booths.
Free Wooden Boat Building for Kids
Kids can build their own wooden boat, thanks to the Center for Wooden Boats, at Pier 62/63. The Center is a living museum and visitors are invited to touch, help restore, sit in and sail some of the more than 100 small wooden boats in the center's historical collection. Admission is free. For further information and membership, call (206) 382-2628.
Display Booths – Seattle Propeller Club, Port of Seattle, Washington State Ferries, and others at Pier 62/63
Festival Information Booths and Maritime Store - Will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pier 62/63 and Pier 66.
Monday, May 12, - Tuesday, May 14
10th Annual Harbor Safety Committee Conference, Seattle
Addressing issues relating to the safety, security, mobility, and environmental protection of a port or waterway. Co-sponsored by TRB/Marine Board & U.S. Coast Guard. To register, visit http://www.trb.org/conferences/2008/HSC/#agenda.
Thursday, May 16
Labor/Management Luncheon
Catholic Seamen’s Club
Presented by the Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO, this annual luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Club, 2330 First Avenue. Call 206-441-4773 for further information.
Thursday, May 22 - National Maritime Day
Friday, May 30
Home from the Sea Luncheon - In support of The Catholic Seamen’s Club Seattle aboard Holland America Line’s ms Amsterdam at Terminal 30. Net proceeds will benefit the Ministry to Seafarers through the Catholic Seamen’s Club, Seattle. Join The Most Reverend Alexander J. Brunett for a very special shipboard event. Tickets are $50. For further information, call (206) 441-4773 at the Catholic Seamen’s Club.
For further information visit the Seattle Maritime Festival Web site or call the public information hotline: 206-728-3163
Schedule of Key Events (all events/sponsors subject to change)