Submitted by: City of Blaine
Both Sea Dogs and Landlubbers are welcome Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5, to Drayton Harbor Days to celebrate everything maritime! Festivities will take place at Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Dr. just off I-5 exit 276. Come early Saturday at 8:30 a.m. to join in the 5k Run to the Border (letsmoveblaine.org for more details) and enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast served from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Blaine Community Center. Stroll through the exhibits and arts and crafts booths for treasures along the waterfront on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Aye-Come Pirate with Us! Dress in your pirate best and join the Shady Isle Pirates who will be performing sea chanteys and historical reenactment amongst the crowd at the Blaine Boating Center. Be in a pirate parade, participate in a pirate costume contest where both kids and adults will have a chance to win a bounty of prizes! Pirate Daze will entertain kids with free pirate-themed games, activities, as well as arts and crafts at the Marine Park Playground from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Pirate activities are sponsored by Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Rec District. For more information visit www.bbbparkandrec.org or call 360-656-6416.
Boats will be on the move both days featuring the Tall ship Lady Washington offering tours and a variety of sailing excursions on August 3 – 5. Reservations are recommended, for tickets visit www.historicalseaport.org or call 800-200-5239. Revel in an exhibit of authentic handcrafted model boats and ships on display at the Boating Center.
Take a voyage back in time aboard the Historic Plover Ferry along the 32’ ferry’s original route to Semiahmoo Spit since 1944. Sailings are on the hour from Blaine Harbor both Saturday from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Relive the rich history of Blaine’s cannery and fishing days with a visit to the A.P.A. Museum at Semiahmoo County Park open both days.
This year’s 16th annual Prestigious George Raft Race will commence at 1:00 p.m. Saturday. The rafts built from recycled floatable materials, along with the crews colorful costumes and hilarious antics make this race as much fun to watch as it is to participate! Those joining in the race will paddle their homemade rafts starting from the Blaine Public Boat Launch to the finish at the Blaine Harbor Visitor Dock. This event is modeled in part from Devonshire’s River Lyn annual raft race that has taken place in England since the middle ages. All participants will receive ribbons and the first place winner will take home bragging rights and a one-year ownership of the coveted Prestigious George Raft Race Trophy.
Cap off Saturday’s adventures by watching a movie under the stars. The movie “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” will began at 9:00 p.m. at Blaine Marine Park, sponsored by the Blaine Chamber of Commerce and the Salishan Neighborhood Association.
The fun continues on Sunday with exhibits and arts and crafts vendors, kids’ scavenger hunt, Plover Ferry rides, model boat displays as well as the annual Pet Contest. Bring your pets, dressed up in costume or to show off their latest tricks at the Blaine Boating Center at 1:00 p.m. for a chance to win a prize! Have fun exploring in the 2nd annual: Finding Blaine, a quest through Blaine to discover hidden items.
For More Information:
- Blaine Visitor Center at 360-332-4544, www.blainechamber.com
- Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Rec District #2, 360-656-6416, www.bbbparkandrec.org
- Port of Bellingham, Blaine Harbor Office, 360-647-6176.
Event Sponsors:
City of Blaine, Blaine Chamber of Commerce, Port of Bellingham-Blaine Harbor, Salishan Neighborhood Association, Drayton Harbor Maritime, Blaine-Birch Bay Parks and Recreation District 2.
