A Navy Day celebration was held at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club and Crescent Harbor Adventures on the Naval Air Station (NAS)
Whidbey Island Seaplane Base as part of the 26th annual Whidbey Island Race Week, July 24.
The event marks the first year since 2001 that the celebration has been held on base due to the heightened security measures
post-9/11.
The Chief Petty Officers Club provided 750 meals of barbecue ribs and chicken with all the fixings and drinks were provided by
the Officers Club. There was also a live band, Andy O, which played the early evening at the Yacht Club before transferring to
Crescent Harbor Adventures, playing until midnight.
“We wanted to do this because we had four Race Week parties before 2001 and we always had a great turnout,” said Debbie
Brockway, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation business activities manager. “It went well with everyone happy and having a good
time and that’s what we’re here for. It’s a great partnership with the city and the local marina and it’s a fun party.”
The race week of July 20-25 featured 123 sailing vessels in 10 classes, running two-to-four races a day depending on wind
conditions. A portion of the Seaplane Base was opened to facilitate a campground for participants, which enabled more entries
into the festivities.
“It’s a massive amount of people who have to help, the staff is huge and the city involvement and Navy involvement was
incredible,” said Gary Stuntz, camp director for Whidbey Island Race Week. “This is my first year being in charge of the event
and I’m kind of overwhelmed. It’s been a hard effort to make sure everything came together and sometimes, you don’t know
whether it’s going to work out or not. I’m very satisfied and it was exciting.”
“Old Man IV,” the Commander Navy Region Northwest Admiral’s barge made an appearance for Race Week Navy Day. Capt.
Gerral David, NAS Whidbey Island commanding officer, got to participate by riding in “Skookumchuck,” captained by Byron
Skubi, vice commodore of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club.
“It was awesome to see all the boats going all over Penn Cove and Saratoga Passage; it was fantastic,” said David. “The participants
are happy they get to camp on the base now and happy we threw a party at the marina because we want to be part of their experience.”