Seattle Press on Line - Celebrating Tradition in Seattle's Heart

Celebrating Tradition in Seattle's Heart

Racing on Lake Union during the Wooden Boat Festival. Sara Longley photo.

Jul 04, 2002 -- The Center for Wooden Boats provides visitors with the unique experience of a living museum. On Lake Union's south-end pier, beautiful wooden rowboats and sailboats with gleaming bright work invite the admiring eyes of boat lovers and casual tourists alike. And nearly all of the traditional boats on display can be touched, climbed on, even taken out for a sail.

Those boat lovers will flock to the center on July 4 - 7 for the 26th Annual Wooden Boat Festival. Some will even arrive in their own wooden cruisers and sailboats. The docks, augmented with additional floats, will be lined with boats of every size and description, the only common feature their wood hulls. Activities for all ages include toy boat

Building toy boats is one of the fun activities for kids at the Wooden Boat Festival.

building, free boat rides, model boat racing, the Quick & Daring boatbuilding contest, musical entertainment and the privilege of visiting onboard any of the attending boats. "One of the best things about the show," said Dick Wagner, founding director of the center, "is the boats are so accessible, you can climb all over them. It's an opportunity to get up close and personal."

Other special goings-on are building an Aleut kayak, helping construct a Haida canoe, tours of the fireboat Duwamish (including the water cannons!), used hand tools and books in the Armory and guided tours

Kids on a free boat ride at the Wooden Boat Festival. Sara Longley photo.

of the festival. This year's festival has some new features: Family boatbuilding, in which the groups build a classic-style craft, and the Virginia V, the last of the Mosquito Fleet, which has been restored over the last five years and will offer free rides.

The festival lasts a full four days, starting on July 4 at 1010 Valley Street on South Lake Union. For information, visit the Web site at www.cwb.org or call (206) 382-2628.

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Becky	May 29, 2003	Portland	Outreach for Outward Bound
The Center for Wooden Boats is a wonderful secret in Seattle. For people who like boats, water, and history, it's worth a stop at the center. If you like to sail, take advantage of the opportunities here!