Yachting fans could not have asked for a nicer day to celebrate Opening Day on the Bay on Sunday, April 25. The sun was shining, the winds were mild to moderate, and the bay was fog free, making it a spectacular day whether you watched the parade from shore or from the deck of a boat.
PICYA’s 94th annual Decorated Boat Parade featured over 100 historic, classic and contemporary power and sailing vessels from yacht clubs throughout the greater Bay Area, many decorated to the parade theme “Building Bridges.”
First through third prizes were given in each of five entry categories, plus one overall parade winner. The winner of the Boat US Ward Cleaveland Memorial Trophy for the best decorated boat overall went to the powerboat Enchantment, owned by Otis Brock and entered jointly by the Ebony Boat Club (Antioch) and Encinal Yacht Club (Alameda). Their boat, decorated with flags and costumed characters from around the world, illustrated their theme “Building bridges of friendship around the world.”
           
While traditionally held the last Sunday of April, the 95th annual parade will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2011 because of a conflict with Easter. Let’s hope the gorgeous weather we had this year will return with all the beautiful boats!