Boats to be blessed at boating opening day Sunday

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

Canyon Lake boaters will assemble at 1:30 p.m. at the Holiday Harbor docks or at the cove on the Main Lake side of the boat tunnel to East Bay. Boats will follow Yacht Club members in their boats over to the ceremony location just inside the Main Lake side of the causeway tunnel. The festive event will start 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. Flags, flowers and ribbons are all encouraged and will keep in the tradition of opening day and fleet blessing events.

“Blessing events are held by virtually every yacht club and boating community around the world,” Commodore Ron Wilbur said. “They generally are in conjunction with Opening Day.”

This year‘s event promises to be the best yet.

“We’re expecting this to be a big party after the long, wet winter and spring,” Ron said. “All the boaters we talked to said they are ready for the big opening day celebration party and a nice first day of lake activities.”

Boats will be officially blessed during the official opening of boat season ceremonies Sunday. Photo provided by Ron Wilbur

City of Canyon Lake Mayor Jeremy Smith, Canyon Lake POA president Renee Griffiths, City Council members and all the Canyon Lake POA board members are expected to attend. The event will be filled with speakers, songs and prayers and Ron said there might even be a sound of a cannonball blast.

Everyone is welcome to join in on the festivities.

“Bring drinks and food and be prepared to go for a ride around the lake and tie up with some new friends for a day full of adventure,” Ron said. “You might want to join the Yacht Club that day as it’s sure to be a delight.”

Ron will oversee the proceedings. Jeremy will lead the proclamation, while Renee will give an opening speech. 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.