A festival treasured by many is returning for a raft race, theater performances and maritime-themed youth activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 2.
The annual Drayton Harbor Pirate Festival will bring swashbuckling fun to the Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive, and the neighboring Blaine Marine Park.
Event organizer Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) will start the day with family fun highlighting Blaine’s maritime history, starting with maritime-themed obstacles at the “pirate cove,” or playground area in the park, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Every participant who receives stamps after completing each obstacle will receive a prize.
A fair with crafts, food vendors and mermaid photo opportunities will be set up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the boating center. For another option on a bite to eat, parks and recreation will sell $2 hot dogs and $1 chips and drinks near the playground.
The festival’s traditional “anything but a boat” boat race will make a splash at 2 p.m. outside of the boating center. Racers may build boats with any materials – except what would traditionally be used for a watercraft. The first “boat” across the finish line wins, whether it’s made from a kiddie pool, cooler or other non-nautical items. Prizes will also be awarded at 3 p.m. for the most creative design, best team spirit and most likely to sink.
Race sign-up will be available at the BBBPRD2 booth in the vendor fair. Teams may have up to four people, and everyone aboard must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Other festival activities include play performances, a water balloon fight, a costume contest, story times and live music. Here is a breakdown of the festival activities:
For more information on the festival and “anything but a boat” race, visit bbbparkandrec.org.
