One doubts, from the top deck of the Christmas Ship, that Christmas music has ever been louder.
Or brighter.
Or more able to float.
But, this year, and for the 59th straight year, the music boomed and people — on land, on piers, on board — danced and celebrated with Christmas cheer.
“We come out, we wear our silly little hats, and we have a great time together,” said Kristy Sorensen, an Edmonds resident who was on her second cruise with her 6-year-old niece and other family members. “It is safe, it is fun, and we love the music.”
One would have to.
Tunes blasted from the speakers on the Spirit of Seattle, the lead boat in a decorated boat parade that sailed from Edmonds Dec. 8, can be heard for miles, according to officials from Argosy Cruises, which operates the Christmas Ship.
The ship is a mobile Christmas party, complete with three decks, two Christmas trees, two bars serving beer and mixed drinks, a Kids Krew arts and crafts area and untold numbers of Christmas lights.
On the Dec. 8 cruise, roughly 400 people sailed from Edmonds to Shoreline and back. They were accompanied by the Everett Chorale, who sang two 20-minute concerts, one off the coast of Edmonds and one off the coast of Shoreline.
The Christmas Ship’s sailings have become a Northwest tradition. There are 19 sailings this year, and a portion of the money raised from ticket sales goes towards the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, an annual program that raises money for several charitable organizations and social service providers helping children and families in the Puget Sound area.
Over $10 million has been raised since the Christmas Ship Festival started in 1949, officials said.
Riding the Christmas Ship is a wonderful Christmas activity, said Gail Morris, an Everett resident who was wearing a Christmas-themed top hat.
“I am like a big kid when it comes to Christmas,” said Morris, who bought an extra ticket for her co-worker, who was celebrating his birthday. “I just love the singing and the caroling and waving to all the people on the shore.”
The people on shore appreciate it, too.
They flock by the hundreds, or thousands, to sing along.
In years past, the Edmonds fishing pier has been so crowded with well-wishers that it is hard to move around.
People on board the Christmas Ship know. They used to be among the pier-crowd.
“Yeah, we did it on the pier for a few years,” said Vidette McDowell, an Edmonds resident. “Then finally, last year, we finally said, ‘How do we get on the actual boat?’”
Reporter Chris Fyall: 425-673-6525 or cfyall@heraldnet.com
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