Jul, 31, 2008
OUTDOORS
Nautical wonders, street fair highlight Drayton Harbor Maritime Days
Saturday, Aug. 2
- 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Steamboat displays, Blaine Harbor, Gate No. 2
- Noon-8 p.m.: Historic Plover Ferry rides, Blaine Harbor, Gate No. 2
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Arts, crafts and food vendors downtown, Peace Portal Drive
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Merchants sidewalk sales, downtown
- 11 a.m.: West Marine community sailing regatta, Blaine Harbor, Gate No. 2
- Noon-3 p.m.: Motorcycle show and shine, Peace Portal Drive
- 1 p.m.: Prestigious George Raft Race, from public boat launch to Gate No. 2
- 2 p.m.: Pirate costume contest judging, downtown, H Street Plaza
- 2 p.m.: Steamboat parade, visitors' dock, Blaine Harbor, Gate No. 2
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Kids' games, H Street Plaza
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Kids' treasure hunt, downtown, start at H Street Plaza
- 3:30 p.m.: Treasure hunt prize drawing, H Street Plaza
- 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Steamboat displays, Blaine Harbor, Gate No. 2
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Historic Plover Ferry rides, Blaine Harbor, Gate No. 2
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Coast Guard Auxiliary display
- 2 p.m.: Steamboat parade, Blaine Harbor, Gate No. 2
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CRAIG PARRISH
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
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Downtown Blaine and the city's harbor will revel in all things nautical during the annual Drayton Harbor Maritime Days this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2-3.
Activities will be plentiful for the entire family, said Carol Solomon, manager of the Blaine Visitors Center, with some new twists included in this year's festival.
"This has been going for about 10 years, and this year it encompasses a little more," Solomon said.
Many of the events will be based at Blaine Harbor, including steamboat displays, a parade, and rides on the historic Plover Ferry (after which the festival was named for several years).
In addition, Saturday's schedule includes the prestigious George Raft Race at 1 p.m. Rafts are required to be made out of recycled materials for the race, which begins at the public boat launch ramp and ends at the harbor's Gate No. 2.
Participants can peruse the "raft library," Solomon said, to borrow materials to construct their rafts.
The event's street fair, in its third year, will have about 30 vendors offering food, arts and crafts and much more in downtown Blaine on Peace Portal Drive. Most of the vendors are local; "We've got a nice mix," Solomon said. "It's been really successful."
Downtown stores will provide part of the fun for kids with a treasure hunt on Saturday afternoon. Participants will start with a map and go to downtown businesses for clues and the elusive booty. Every child who turns in an entry form gets a prize, Solomon said, and all entries go into a drawing for a grand prize.
The festival emphasizes education as well, Solomon said, as visitors can learn about the history of steamboats, how they're made and their role in maritime business.
