Weekend Review: Ships Ahoy!

Tacoma’s history was relived… sort of … last weekend.

The 17th Maritime Festival showcased all things seafaring and trade at Thea’s Park, Foss Waterway Seaport and sites around the waterfront.

Wow, it was fun. The nautical appreciation of the volunteers and restoration experts was certainly contagious. And who can’t have fun around “attacking” pirates handing out Mardi Gras necklaces while others sing their seafaring songs with plenty of yo-ho, hoes and bottles of rum.

The two-day event offered boat rides around the Foss, train trips around the ship yards and dragon boat races throughout the day. Those races were exhausting from the gang plank, I can’t imagine what it was like actually on the water.

The unlimited Light Hydroplanes races other times during the weekend were certainly loud and fast, if you are are into that sort of thing. I am not. What made this event extra fun was the fact that it was just the right size for an afternoon of free family fun. The crowds were relatively light and the energy was high, rather than shoulder-to-shoulder masses of somber humanity that scar so many other events these days.

Pics are available online by clicking here.