Queen City Cruise
August 9, 2008
Get ready - The biggest lips in town are growing wet, puckered and ready to blow (kisses - that is.)
Summer's here (finally!), and so are those wacky, fiercely fashionable, and wonderful Tacky Tourists. Watch for stares of confusion and disbelief at Pier 55 and the Ballard Locks, where throngs of innocent bystanders will be in stitches for Project Gangplank as they witness Seattle's premier floating party: the Queen City Cruise!
The event begins dockside at 1100 hours on Saturday, August 9 with a free pre-boarding extravaganza featuring Seattle's finest entertainers and lovely and lively hosts, hunky Tony Buff and (direct from Miami Beach) Marina Dennis.
Then, at noon, nearly 500 anxious adventurers will embark on a titillating tour of Seattle's wettest spots -- its scenic harbor and glistening inland passages. A 27-year Seattle tradition, the Queen City Cruise is an Unforgivable Naughtycal Adventure on the High Seas and a deliciously deviant exclamation point to Seafair, Seattle's water sports extravaganza.
Music, dancing, sun-bathing, booze, and fine food
There's something for everyone on board: soaking in the sights and sun on the front bow, shaking booty to really great dance music played by DJ Carlo Cochran with special mixes by bucket, drinking cool libations served by fun-loving bartenders, and sampling fine edibles at the bountiful buffet.
Make a splash and (maybe) win a great prize
If all that isn't tempting enough, there will be contests and prizes -- including the coveted traditional award for "Coming the Greatest Distance". Cruisers can wear (or not wear) just about anything that strikes their fancies. Cruisers aren't shy about dressing up (or down) for the occasion. Make a splash! When dressing (or undressing) for the Cruise, anything (and, for some, nearly nothing) goes! And many go there. And you might even be chosen for one of the fabulous prizes awarded to striking passengers.
Cruise mailing list
Keep up to date with all Cruise news by signing up for the Cruise mailing list. Just fill in your email address on the form in the upper right corner of this page.
Note: We had sign-ups for the Cruise Alert email list turned off for the winter. The form is turned on again, so sign up now to get all the info you'll need about Queen City Cruise 2008: Project Gangplank, including early and late ticket-buying opportunities.
Always a sellout
Tickets are go on sale June 28 during LGBT Pride weekend. Be sure to get yours soon so that you don't miss the boat.
The Queen City Cruise has been a sellout every year since 1981. For the past three years, we've sold out our allotment of guaranteed tickets before the end of July.
Still not sure? Check out our Cruise video, our wonderful photo gallery of past Cruises to browse through, as well as the guide map and colorful historical narrative.
Beneficiaries
We welcome the Buoys of Summer from the Gay World Series Organizing Committee, and Gay City Health Project as new beneficiaries of this year's Cruise along with returning partner, Action Northwest which will once again use their funds from the Cruise for the Backpack Project.Our beneficiaries help enormously by supplying the volunteers who allow you all have a ball at the Cruise.
Read more about this year's impressive beneficiaries.
Sponsors
This fabulous party wouldn't have been possible without the generous assistance of our sponsors: R Place Bar & Grill, Martin's Off Madison, Changes in Wallingford, Purr Cocktail Lounge, The Cuff Complex, Martin's Off Madison, C.C.Attle's, Rosebud Restaurant and Bar, Seattle Gay News, Stoli Genuine Russian Vodka, and Blue Moon Ale.
The Queen City Cruise is produced by the Seattle Chapter of Tacky Tourist Clubs of America, an organization known for its imaginatively outrageous events and excursions. Since 1981, Tacky Tourist Clubs has donated over $275,000 to other non-profit groups.
