Yacht Club to bless boats on opening day next week

The Canyon Lake Yacht Club is hosting the official opening day of the Canyon Lake boating season and the blessing of the boats April 2. Canyon Lake boaters are encouraged to take part in the event which marks the official start of boating activities in communities around the world.

Boats will be gathering in two places on the day of the event for the blessing ceremony. They will be at the docks at Holiday Harbor and the cove on the Main Lake side of the boat tunnel to East Bay. Those boats participating should arrive promptly at 1:30 p.m.

Yacht Club boats and members will be present at both locations to guide and escort boats to the ceremony location. The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. Participants are expected to have their boats fully dressed with flags and banners, while the Yacht Club boats will display burgees and flags.

Commodore Ron Wilbur of the Yacht Club will oversee the proceedings. City of Canyon Lake Mayor Jeremy Smith will lead the proclamation, while Canyon Lake POA President Renee Griffiths will give an opening speech. Canyon Lake City Council members will also be in attendance.

The color guard from the Canyon Lake Boy Scouts troop will present the flag for the National Anthem, which will be performed by Guy Griffiths. Pastor Thor Ramsey of the Canyon Lake Bible Club will then offer the traditional blessing of the boats.

After the brief ceremony, the boats will form a single line parade following the Yacht Club lead boat.

The flotilla will pass by the guest dock at the Canyon Lake Lodge for inspection by Commodore Ron as Pastor Ramsey extends the benediction to each craft and crew for a safe and enjoyable boating season.

The Yacht Club flagship boat will lead participant boats on a slow parade around the Main Lake, followed by an afterparty at Catfish Cove, where boats can tie up and enjoy the festivities.