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A colorful and traditional rite of spring, the only one of its kind in the world, brings many people to Seattle’s inland waterways on the first Saturday in May as boaters celebrate Opening Day of the boating season. Spectators crowd the shorelines of Seattle’s Portage Bay and Montlake Cut as boats, many of them decorated, parade past judges and spectators watching aboard boats anchored along the parade route.

There are small boats, motorboats, rowing and paddle boats, sailboats, antique boats and mega-yachts in the annual Opening Day parade sponsored by Seattle Yacht Club. There are racing shells from top-caliber collegiate and international rowing teams. This year’s races will feature teams from around the country and the world competing in the 2024 Windermere Cup Crew Races.

Seattle Fire Department boats move by in a cloud of spray, as well as sailboats with spinnakers flying. Two small flotillas of yachts carrying members from the University of Washington Husky and Washington State University Cougar Marching Bands set the musical tempo for the day.

Participating yachts will decorate to this year’s theme: Pirates & Pursuers!