Race festivities inspire NW Sailing Days, May 2 to 8, 2020, on the Long Beach Peninsula
ILWACO, Wash. – February 11, 2020 – A celebration of the opening of the 2020 boating season, the first annual Pacific Northwest Sailing Days will take place from May 2 to 8 on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula. The event centers around the start of the Pacific NW Offshore International Yacht Race from the Port of Ilwaco on May 7, 2020, and will also include the U.S. Coast Guard’s Blessing of the Fleet, charter boat rides, small town parades, a kick-off party and auction, family friendly activities, a public market, and a photo contest.
“We’re thrilled to spend a week celebrating our maritime heritage and hosting the yacht crews, friends and fans for this exciting race,” said Andi Day, executive director, Visit Long Beach Peninsula.
Beginning as early as May 2, sailing yachts participating in the Pacific Northwest International Offshore Yacht Race, a qualifier for the Pacific Cup and the Vic-Maui International Yacht Race, will be arriving at the Port of Ilwaco. Current entries include among others Escape Artist, Abstract and Free Bowl of Soup – all J/105’s, as well as Aja, Red Sheilla, True Love, Margaret, Velocity, and Rage, a Wylie 70 built by event sponsor Schooner Creek Boatworks.
The multi-day race will start in Ilwaco at 11AM on May 7 and finish in Victoria, BC, on May 10. This is the first time it will be hosted at the Port of Ilwaco, a historic fishing port with an 800-slip marina, boutique hotels, restaurants, pubs, a bakery, canneries, art galleries and shops, a yoga studio, and a seasonal Saturday Market.
Charter boats will offer ticketed passengers passage to view the start of the race up close. Land-based platforms to watch the race include several spots at Cape Disappointment State Park including the Cape Disappointment lighthouse, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, North Jetty, Benson Beach, the North Head Lighthouse lookout, Bell’s View lookout, and a scenic overlook off the Hwy. 103 loop.
Other events during Pacific Northwest Sailing Days include “Opening Day” festivities, boat rides for the Blessing of the Fleet, Ilwaco’s Children’s Parade, the season opener of the Saturday Market at The Port, and an opportunity for the public to see the moored yachts from the docks at the Ilwaco marina. Related activities at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum and Cape Disappointment State Park will also be offered.
The Pacific NW Offshore International Yacht Race is sponsored by Schooner Creek Boat Works. Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland founded the 193-mile race 45 years ago. The race launches from the Port of Ilwaco, goes up the Washington Coast, and down the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, B.C.
The Long Beach Peninsula is a sought out destination for recreation, inspiration and rejuvenation. The 28-mile finger of land is home to iconic parks, miles of trails, marinas, historic sites, eateries, and welcoming lodging establishments. Colorful festivals and lively events happen year round.
For Sailing Week details, please visit http://pnwsailingdays.com. For destination information, access www.VisitLongBeachPeninsula.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Additional and larger photos available. Please contact me at carol@zahorskypr.com or (360) 481-1752, or see more Oregon Offshore (former name of Pacific NW Offshore) images by Maria Swearingen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/