Drayton Harbor Days festival is happening Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6, to celebrate everything maritime in Blaine, WA. The festivities will take place at Blaine Harbor Boating Center at 235 Marine Drive, just off I-5 exit 276. Come early Saturday at 8:30 a.m. to join in the 5k Run to the Border, and enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast served from 8-11 am at the Blaine Community Center. You can also stroll through the exhibits and arts and crafts booths for treasures along the waterfront on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dress in your pirate best and join the Shady Isle Pirates who will be performing sea chanteys and historical re-enactment amongst the crowd at the Blaine Boating Center. Be in a pirate parade, and participate in a pirate costume contest where both kids and adults will have a chance to win a bounty of prizes. Pirate Daze will entertain kids with free pirate themed games and activities, as well as arts and crafts at the Marine Park Playground from 10:30 a.m.– 2 p.m. Pirate activities are sponsored by Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Rec District. For more information: www.bbbparkandrec.org or call (360) 656-6416.
Boats will be on the move both days, featuring the tall ship Lady Washington which will be offering tours and a variety of sailing excursions on August 3-6. Reservations are recommended, for tickets visit www.historicalseaport.org or call 800-200-5239. There will also be whimsical steamboats parading throughout the day in the harbor as well as on display for viewing at the visitor dock. Revel in an exhibit of authentic handcrafted model boats & ships on display at the Boating Center.
Take a voyage back in time aboard the Historic Plover Ferry along the 32’ ferry’s original route to Semiahmoo Spit since 1944. The Plover Ferry sails every hour from Blaine Harbor, both Saturday from 12-8 p.m. and Sunday from 10-6 p.m. Relive the rich history of Blaine’s cannery and fishing days with a visit to the A.P.A. Museum at Semiahmoo County Park open both days.
This year’s 15th annual Prestigious George Raft Race will commence at 1 p.m. Saturday. The rafts built from recycled floatable materials, along with the crew's colorful costumes and hilarious antics make this race as much fun to watch as it is to participate! Those joining in the race will paddle their homemade rafts starting from the Blaine Public Boat Launch to the finish at the Blaine Harbor Visitor Dock. This event is modeled in part from Devonshire’s River Lyn annual raft race that has taken place in England since the middle ages. All participants will receive ribbons and the first place winner will take home bragging rights and a one-year ownership of the coveted Prestigious George Raft Race Trophy.
Cap off Saturday’s adventures by watching a movie under the stars at 9:00 pm at Blaine Marine Park, sponsored by Paso Del Norte Mexican Restaurant.
The fun continues on Sunday with exhibits and arts and crafts vendors, kids’ scavenger hunt, Plover Ferry rides, model boat displays as well as the annual Pet Contest. Bring your pets, dressed up in costume or to show off their latest tricks at the Blaine Boating Center at 1 p.m. for a chance to win a prize! Have fun exploring in the 2nd annual: Finding Blaine, a quest through Blaine to discover hidden items.
