As most of you know, the Victoria Classic Boat Festival is the premier wooden boat show in the Pacific Northwest, drawing more than 200 vessels in a wide variety of categories from Steam Launches to gaff rigged Schooners. It takes place over the Labor Day weekend, this year running from August 29th to August 31st. I will have application forms for this event available at the Bell Street Rendezvous, and will also answer any questions you may have regarding the Victoria show. If you do not plan on attending Bell Street, please call me and I will mail the applications to you.

This is a fabulous opportunity to moor your boat in front of the Historic Empress Hotel on Victoria's Inner Harbor and enjoy the city, it's restaurants and attractions. There is plenty of  yacht talk and numerous opportunities to tour vessels not normally seen in our waters. The crowds

are always large, but extremely courteous and inquisitive. There is no requirement to allow public boarding, but you may invite individuals aboard if you so desire. The registration fees are nominal and include three nights moorage ($40 to $50 US for most vessels). There is also an awards banquet Sunday evening and many other events scheduled over the weekend.

Many vessels combine this event with the Can Am Rendezvous at Roche Harbor. The fleet transits to Victoria in a group on Thursday. Last year we had an impressive representation from our fleet and took home numerous awards. This year I would like to encourage everyone to consider attending this event.