The “In-Between” Wooden Boat Festival at Deer Harbor

The Victoria Boat Festival, always held on Labor Day weekend, is coming up fast.(August 31-Sept 2.  Go to classicboatfestivel.ca ) Always an enjoyable festival, in the heart of Victoria, going on simultaneously with their Jazz Festival on the waterfront…whats not to like! Thousands of casual spectators, some boat -savy, some not, but all appreciative of the boats.

Then there is our own Wooden Boat festival, Sept 10-12th this year. Thousands of curious visitors and a busy fun-packed long weekend! All in our own backyard. Go to the Northwest Maritime Center website to purchase tickets online.

In Between these two very intense events is the quiet, casual Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Rendezvous, on the Monday-Wednesday  after Victoria’s festival. It is an eventfor the boaters. The Deer Harbor Marina offers reduced rate moorage for wooden boats and the local sailing club and Boatworks put on a race, BBQ, and Skippers Breakfast.  This year the sailing race will be on Tuesday, instead of the traditional Wednesday, to allow boaters plenty of time to get to Port Townsend for their next event, or to go for one last calm night out at Watmough Bay before returning to the fray. Below is this year’s schedule of events. You don’t have to attend the other festivals to enjoy this one. Sail or motor North to Orcas Island and enjoy the last summer days of 2012 with friends  in Deer Harbor

Monday September 3, 2012

6:00pm Dock Potluck Open to All

Tuesday September 4, 2012

Breakfast 8:00 am DH Inn

Captain’s meeting 9:00am DH Inn

Sailing Race 11:30am

Row Race 3:30pm DH Marina

BBQ 4:00- 8:00pm DH Boatworks

(Tickets required and available @ door)

Wednesday September 5, 2012

10:00 am Sailing Dinghy Race

6:00pm Dock Potluck Open to all

For more information  on the Deer Harbor Rendezvous, call Ward Fay at 260-298-2057. Reservations are suggested for the DH Marina (360-376-3037 or www.deerharbormarina.com)