WHEN: Sunday April 25, 2010, Crissy Field to Pier 39, starting at 12 noon.

WHAT: The 94th Annual “Opening Day on the Bay” decorated boat parade, hosted by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA), representing over 100 yacht clubs in Northern California celebrates the official beginning of the a new boating season on San Francisco Bay. The parade will feature over 120 historic workboats, fireboats, Vessel Assist towboats, classic and contemporary craft decorated to the theme. There will be both power and sail boats competing for best decoration honors. The decorated boat contest theme this year is “Building Bridges.”  These boats can be viewed by the public along the San Francisco waterfront from Crissy Field, which is west of the Marina Green, to Pier 39, 12 noon until 3 p.m.  The occasion will be a unique opportunity to see these special boats, all at the same time, sailing close to shore where land-based spectators can enjoy the event. This is an event for the whole family to enjoy. 

WHERE: Free public viewing is available on San Francisco’s Northern Shoreline from Crissy Field to Pier 39. Those seeking a closer view of the decorated boats can join the officers, directors and guests of PICYA on the Californian, one of the Hornblower’s largest yachts on San Francisco Bay, with a light breakfast and a gourmet lunch. See picya.org for more info or Lizette Collins, (415) 883-7106, duane590@cs.com.

HOW: A press boat is available for members of the media interested in covering the parade on the water, contact George Neil, (650) 575-6166, geor63@jps.net. This boat will be on the water moving throughout the parade route, providing excellent photo opportunities. This year for the media, we are offering a choice of cruising on the private press boat or on the media level of the Hornblower Californian at no charge. Additional information is available at www.picya.org. 

WHO: Organized by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA), which was formed in San Francisco in 1896 to improve communications between yacht clubs, provide uniform racing rules, and encourage yachting. Today it is the only organization in Northern California that supports the promotion of recreational boating through the coordination and dissemination of information for the benefit of boaters. It publishes the Yachting Yearbook, the annual directory of member clubs and information, and created Recreational Boaters of California, a governmental advocacy organization committed to promoting the enjoyment, protections, and responsible use of our waterways. See RBOC.org for matters of interest.  PICYA has coordinated Opening Day since 1917. The major sponsor for the past nine years is Boat Owners Association of the United States, (BoatU.S.).  BoatU.S. is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters with a wide array of consumer services.  Visit BoatUS.com for more information.

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