Bring Your Boat to Tacoma for Next Weekend's YachtoberFest

 
Boats, beer and bratwurst: sounds like a fun time, right? 

Bring your boat down to the Tacoma waterfront next weekend for the inaugural YachtoberFest. The event, which mixes the Northwest's penchant for boating and craft beers, is open to the public (ages 21 and up) and will feature several craft brewers, wineries, German food and live entertainment.

Moorage is available at Delin Docks, Dock Street Marina, Foss Harbor Marina and the Foss Waterway Seaport. More info is available on the event website under the "Boaters" tab. 

Renting a slip gets you four tickets to YachtoberFest and two tickets to a Friday night cocktail reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at Social Bar and Grill. Beer, wine and light hors d'oeuvres are included, and the featured guest is Chip Hanauer, aka The Boat Guy. 

Proceeds will benefit the Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation, Citizens for a Healthy Bay and the Tacoma Waterfront Association, which is organizing YachtoberFest. The three organizations work to promote and improve the Tacoma waterfront.

"We are very excited to bring such a unique event to Tacoma," said Gregg Reynolds, TWA president. "YachtoberFest will merge two of our local community's passions, boating and craft beer, and bring people down to the Historic Foss Waterway to enjoy a great day at one of Tacoma's best assets, its waterfront."
 
YachtoberFest will be held directly behind the Museum of Glass and officially kicks off at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, with a traditional  "tapping of the keg ceremony." Beer will begin flowing at noon. Food, drinks and entertainment will be available until 6 p.m.


Tickets are $12 per person in advance and $20 at the door. Valid ID is required for entry, and the event will be held rain or shine. Costumes and traditional dress are encouraged, but leave Fido at home — pets are not permitted.