Harbor Lights

The harbor is a daily experience. I usually walk to the spit and back on my break. I can see it from my window, and randomly seem to be there often.

There are characters like Bobby and Tom to chat with. 

 

And the mood of it changes, not just daily, but the time of day, weather, season....On one summer day it can be packed to the brim, then an opening (time when seiners can go and harvest) is declared, and it's empty. A closure, and everyone is back in town whooping it up.

From sunny....

 

to watching the sunset...

which this time of year is an event! (being so dark, and sunny days rare),

to the sun just set and holy cow it looks totally different...

and cool-looking canneries (hey it's a WWII-era vessel converted to a cannery, of course I like it!).

So when the notion arose to re-envision the boat parade (I think it usually was on New Year's where the boats would go down the channel all lit up, depending on the weather, which often cancelled the event), I jumped on it!  I am an active Board member for the Kodiak Maritime Museum, and I spearheaded organizing the event. I managed to secure prizes for the winners, made the flyer, went boat-to-boat trying to get people to decorate, etc.

However, it was Tom(cat) who came through! After decorating the GB, he riled up all the other owners to decorate.

He by far had the biggest party on-board!  I totally missed the throngs of people coming in for toddies, but was there for the after party.

It was raining so hard I could not keep my lens dry. Made some interesting effects I guess.

On Thursday, just days before the event, it was looking grim!  Only a few boats were decorated, but as fishermen go, they all decorated at the last minute. Ultimately, there were about 30 or so boats that decorated and about 350 people who attended. I am proud of myself for taking the initiative to get the ball rolling and doing a bit of the leg work! It is now officially an annual event!!!