Opening Day parade of events

Saturday marks the 85th anniversary of the Seattle Yacht Club's Opening Day of Boating season and its festivities and parade in Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut.

By all accounts, it's going to be a record-breaker.

About 300 boats have signed up for the parade that starts at noon, according to Karen Kenyon, spokeswoman for SYC. That's the most since sponsor SYC began registration years ago for boat owners wanting to participate. She estimates that number represents about two miles of cruisers, sailboats and the like.

Here's a rundown of what's happening, for land and sea legs alike:

Friday

9:30 p.m.: Windermere Real Estate sponsors a fireworks display over Union Bay on Lake Washington. Fireworks will be synched to music broadcast on KMTT (103.7 FM). The public can see the display for free from the University of Washington baseball field, north of Husky Stadium. Gates open at 7 p.m.; parking is available in the E-1 parking lot.

Saturday

8 a.m.: Parade boats assemble in Portage Bay.

8:45 a.m.: U.S. Navy Band Concert on the lawn at the Seattle Yacht Club.

9 a.m.: Commissioning Ceremony, SYC lawn.

9:40 a.m.: Parade course closed to all boat traffic; Montlake bridge closed to street traffic.

9:50 a.m.: Official VIP boats parade to moorage.

10:05 a.m.: Dragon Boat exhibition race.

10:20 a.m.: First crew races begin, including teams from the UW and Cornell University and the Czech Republic national team.

11:30 a.m.: The last crew race begins.

11:45 a.m.: Crew competitors parade back through Montlake Cut.

Noon: Opening Day boat parade begins.

2:30 p.m.: Parade ends (approximate).

3 p.m.: Montlake Cut open to boat traffic (approximate).

3:15 p.m.: Montlake Bridge open to street traffic.

4:30 p.m.: Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, SYC lawn.

6 p.m.: Trophy presentations, SYC lawn.

6:30 p.m.: Opening Day closing ceremonies and lowering of colors.

More information: 206-325-1000 or www.seattleyachtclub.com