Seattle Yacht Club Opening Day Boat Parade

Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day returns on Saturday, May 2, with morning crew races in the Montlake Cut and the annual boat parade at noon. (seattleyachtclub.org) The club’s official 2026 program lists an 8:45 a.m. commissioning ceremony, a 9:30 a.m. closure of the Montlake Cut to all boat traffic, and Windermere Cup racing starting at 10:15 a.m. (seattleyachtclub.org) The boat parade begins at 12:00 p.m. after a cannon signal and bridge lift, ends around 3:00 p.m., and the Cut is scheduled to reopen to marine traffic at about 4:00 p.m. (seattleyachtclub.org) (windermerecup.com) This year’s theme is “World Regatta,” and Seattle Yacht Club says the decorated-vessel procession is meant to echo the international rowing field in the morning races. (windermerecup.com) (48north.com) The rowing side of the day is large on its own. Regatta Central says more than 800 rowers are competing in the 40th annual Windermere Cup regatta hosted by the University of Washington. (regattacentral.com) Windermere Cup’s race-day page says the 2026 field includes University of Washington crews racing teams from Great Britain, Canada, and Northeastern University, with nearly 750 athletes expected along the Cut. (windermerecup.com) For spectators on land, Windermere Cup organizers say the north and south shores of the Cut are free and first-come, first-served, and the Montlake Bridge closes to car traffic from 9:40 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (windermerecup.com) Seattle Yacht Club’s parade lineup includes classes for classic sail and power boats, decorated commercial and working boats, youth-sponsored entries, and a Seattle Police Department Chief Seattle fire boat slot. (seattleyachtclub.org) The event is one of Seattle’s longest-running spring traditions. Community listings and yacht-club history pages trace Opening Day celebrations in Seattle back to the early 20th century, with the Montlake Cut as the focal point. (seattlemet.com) (seattleyachtclub.org) By late afternoon on May 2, the races, parade, and trophy presentations will have closed out another Opening Day that still doubles as Seattle’s unofficial start of boating season. (seattleyachtclub.org)