All Canyon Lake boats are invited to the Opening Day of Boating Season and Blessing of the Boats ceremony on Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m.
Hosted by the Canyon Lake Yacht Club, boats will start assembling at 1:30 p.m. in two locations: Holiday Harbor docks and near the boat tunnel on the main lake side. Yacht Club boats will be at both locations to provide instructions and to escort the boats to the Opening Day ceremony location on the main lake at 2 p.m.
In keeping with the tradition of opening day and fleet blessing events, boaters are invited to dress up their vessels with ribbons, flags, and flowers. Yacht Club boats will be displaying club burgees and flags.
Yacht Club Commodore Ron Wilbur will be presiding over the event. Pastor Thor Ramsey of the Canyon Lake Bible Club will be offering the traditional blessing of the boats. Mayor Jeremy Smith will be among the speakers. Members of the Canyon Lake City Council and the POA Board of Directors will be in attendance. A color guard from local Boy Scouts Troop 2011 will present the flag for the singing of the national anthem.
At the conclusion of the short ceremony, boats will form into a single-line parade following the Yacht Club’s lead boat. The flotilla will then pass close to the guest dock at the Canyon Lake Lodge as Pastor Ramsey extends a benediction to each craft and crew for a safe and enjoyable boating season.
The Yacht Club flagship boat will then lead participant boats on a slow parade around the main lake. The boats will then disperse or connect at Cove for a tie-up and afterparty.
Non-boaters are invited to view the Opening Day ceremony and boat parade from the main causeway or the lodge docks overlooking the marina.
The Blessing of the Boats is a century-old tradition. This annual festival was an important part of boating life as captains, crews, and families sought divine favor for bountiful catches and safety for working boats and the men who served on them. Today, annual blessing events are held by most yacht clubs and boating fleets around the world.
