Seattle Gay News
Issue 48, Volume 37, November 27, 2009
Holiday and Travel Guide
Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival celebrates 60 years by Shaun Knittel SGN Staff Writer
ditional and seagoing celebration. In 1994, Argosy took over the festival. What began as a weekend event has lengthened to a proArgosy’s annual Christmas Ship Festival gram lasting 25 days and visiting more than turns 60 this year. Since 1949, the Festival has celebrated the community spirit of Puget Sound by commemorating Seattle’s proud maritime history. The Festival runs nightly from December 1-23 aboard the Spirit of Seattle, the official Christmas Ship, decorated with thousands of lights and other holiday decorations. The ship leads decorated Argosy parade boats and private vessels which form the largest holiday flotilla in the world. Each night, the flotilla cruises to different waterfront locations where people gather around bonfires to welcome the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival. Aboard the ship each night, a different choir performs holiday songs which are broadcast via speakers to other boats as well as to people 45 waterfront communities. on shore at the bonfire locations. The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship FesSince the Festival’s inception, until 1994, the Seattle Department of Parks and Rec- tival has a proud maritime history, complete reation coordinated and sponsored the tra- with a fleet of ships that have spearheaded
the event. The first ship donated for the festival was the 106-foot M/V Valkyrie, which was used from 1949 to 1967. The Sobre La Olas, a 109-foot luxury yacht, followed
from 1967 to 1979. Third was The Snow Goose used between 1980 and 1983. In 1984, Lynn and Alice Campbell of Seattle Harbor Tours (later to become Argosy) do-
nated the Spirit of Alderbrook and it became the next ship to lead the parade. Since 1992, Argosy’s Spirit of Seattle has been the lead Christmas ship. Each year, community sponsors support The Christmas Ship Festival and a portion of all ticket sales benefits The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, which raises money for local non-profit agencies that provide vital services to children, families and seniors in our local community. This year marks the 31st year the Fund for the Needy has provided a way for caring people to help those in need. Since 1996, Argosy Cruises has raised more than $320,000 for the Fund for the Needy. “We are proud to partner with The Seattle Times and help raise money for the Fund for the Needy,” says Maureen Black, director of marketing. “It’s a way Argosy can give back to the community.” The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is run in cooperation with the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. To make reservations or for more information, call (206) 623-1445 or visit the Argosy Cruises’ website at www.argosycruises.com. The Christmas Ship will make 19 calls at Seattle parks this holiday season, starting with a preview voyage at a new port, Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N, from 6 to 6:20 p.m. on Sunday, November 29. For a complete schedule of locations, visit www.seattle.gov/parks.