Christmas ships reminder

Don't forget that the Christmas Ships will be arriving on our shores at about 4:55 this Saturday afternoon. Weather permitting, there will be a bonfire, hot chocolate, goodies--and of course, caroling. The ships are scheduled to depart precisely at 5:15 for a return trip to Kirkland, so if you're very late you'll miss the show. The choir on the lead Argosy ship for this year's trip to Madison Park is the Rainier Ensemble.

Officially, I am told that it is actually the Christmas Ship (not Ships), a term which Argosy Cruises has now trademarked. The other ships that follow along in the wake of the "Christmas Ship" (aka The Spirit of Seattle) are officially designated as parade boats, follow boats, or jazz boats. Who knew? The tradition of lighted boats parading on the Lake in December has supposedly been around for 60 years or so (predating Argosy Cruises for sure), so I am sticking with the term Christmas Ships.

At least we haven't gotten so politically correct as to be calling it the Holiday Ship (yet).

[Photo courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives]

Christmas ships to arrive December 19

For those of you who plan holiday parties timed to coincide with the arrival of the Christmas Ships at Madison Park Beach, you will probably be interested to know that the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation today released this year's schedule showing that the ships will make their appearance here during the afternoon of Saturday, December 19, from 4:55 until 5:15 pm. Seems a bit earlier in the day than has been the case in past years.

For many of us, however, it is just a bit too soon to be thinking Christmas--though I see that Tully's has been decked out for the holiday season for at least a week, and Christmas trees are already in stores downtown. I guess you can never begin worrying about the holidays too early.

The Christmas Ships' appearance at Madison Park Beach is sponsored by the Miller Park and Montlake Community Centers. There is no Community Center anywhere in close proximity to Madison Park (a fact which is relevant to a story I will be posting this weekend).

By the way, the Christmas Ships will begin their Lake Washington runs on December 1, with a call on Gas Works Park. Earlier, on Sunday, November 29, there will be a preview voyage starting at Lake Union Park (860 Terry Avenue N.) at 6 pm. The ships will arrive at the Madrona Beach on Saturday, December 5 at 9:25 pm.

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[Photo by Curt Milton (cascadeguy on Flickr), who also writes the blog EastlakeAve.]