Boaters invited to Blessing of the Boats

BY Ariana Shah

First, a pandemic shut down The Canyon Lake Yacht Club’s events earlier in the year. The club regrouped and has safely put on recent events. But, then weather with temperatures well over 100 degrees came crashing down on the club and its Cocktail Cruise Saturday. Because of the extreme heat, the club decided to cancel the cruise.

The myriad obstacles haven’t caused even a pause in the Yacht Club’s activity. The Mid-Summer Blessing of the boats takes place tomorrow (Saturday) beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Boats like this one will decorate their vessels for the Mid-Summer Blessing of the Boats that will take place tomorrow beginning at 1:30 p.m. This new annual event is hosted by the Yacht Club and is open to all Canyon Lake boaters. Photo provided by Ron Wilbur

The Yacht Club is excited to introduce Canyon Lake to this century-old tradition, which originated from fishing villages in the Medditerean. This annual festival was created to celebrate and protect the captain and crew of each boat and to encourage bountiful catches for their families. Although Blessing of the Boats is performed by most yacht clubs around the world, this will be the first event of its kind for Canyon Lake.

The first annual Mid-Summer Blessing of the Boats is open to all currently-registered Canyon Lake Boats. Boaters are encouraged to decorate their boats with ribbons, flags and flowers; however, political signs and political flags are not permitted. Boaters are to assemble at 1:30 p.m. at the cove on the main lake side of the boat tunnel to the East Bay, where Yacht Club boats will be waiting to escort the boats to the blessing ceremony that will take place at 2:00 p.m.

Aprile Deanne Mckinnon will be opening the event with the singing of the National Anthem. At the end of the brief ceremony, boats will form into a single line and will follow the Yacht Club lead boat. The flotilla will then stop by Pastor Pete Van Dyke’s boat and he will bless each craft and crew for a safe and fun remainder of the boating season.The Yacht Club flagship boat will then lead participant boats on a slow parade around the main lake. Afterwards, boats will disperse for their individual celebrations.

In addition to the Blessing of the Boats, the first of five scheduled Concerts on the Water will take place on Aug. 29 on the main lake and will feature music by the Eagles rock band. After departing from the courtesy docks at 5:30 p.m. for a leisurely cruise around the lake, boats will tie off in Catfish Cove around the “concert boat” for a 60-90 minute concert.

Other scheduled Concerts on the Water will feature the music of Jimmy Buffett, the Zac Brown Band, Chicago, Tower of Power and the Best of Motown.