2025 Opening Day On The Bay Boat Parade & Blessing of the Fleet
OPENING DAY ON THE BAY APRIL 27, 2025
From the blessing of the fleet in Racoon Straits to the parade of decorated boats this is a great day to get out on the Bay.
Come on out and decorate your boat for this traditional event. Before the start of the parade is the Blessing of the Fleet, at 10:30 am in Raccoon Strait, hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club. The parade begins at Noon and is led by the San Francisco fireboat St. Francis, so participating in the blessing and parade is possible. The “Blessing Boat” will be anchored in Raccoon Strait, come through from the backside, and then cruise on over to the San Francisco waterfront and join in on the fun.
Dating back to 1917 and organized by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, the parade runs just north of Anita Rock off the shore of Crissy Field in the Presidio, follows along the city front to first Fort Mason building east of the Marina Green.
The blessing tradition was added to the festivities in 1963 and known as the “Blessing of the Pleasure Craft”. The ritual was modeled on the age-old traditional blessings of vessels of working fishermen.
Anybody can enter a vessel in the parade free of charge (one does not have to be a yacht club member) as long they register beforehand and have a marine radio.
Each year a theme is selected and many boats decorated to the year’s theme. This year’s theme “Generations on the Bay” celebrates and honors the vivid historical generations of the San Francisco Bay! From the Gold Rush Era & Building of the Golden Gate Bridge to the Summer of Love, Music Mecca, the GoGo 90’s, Golden Decade of Sports and Tech Explosion – Pick Your Favorite “Generation” to Represent! The theme is open to many interpretations and skippers are encouraged to be creative. Some boats will fly flags and streamers or just join in the parade not decorated.
All are welcome. If you do not have a boat, join us on the official committee boat to get the most up-close view of the boats.
PARADE STARTS AT NOON
There is a category for everyone and prizes for:
Categories for Boats and Decor
There is a category for everyone and prizes for:
Classic and Historic Yachts
Powerboats Decorated to Theme
Sailboats Decorated to Theme
Power or Sail Decorated by Juniors
Flags & Streamers by Yacht Club
Decorated Not to Theme
Non-Decorated Boats
For more information please visit the link below:
https://sf.funcheap.com/opening-day-bay-boat-parade-marina/
