The Winter Rendezvous Poulsbo Part Deux February 6-7 was an amazing success, proving once again that neither weather nor a stunning Seahawks Superbowl defeat can dampen a Northwest boater’s spirits!
Northwest Yachting is proud to have been a part of making sure this young and vital new Winter Rendezvous Poulsbo tradition not just survived, but thrived in its second year.
To everyone’s delight, Chip Hanauer again MC’d the event. With help from some Vikings fired up the crowd for the Libation Station, gloggfest and poker run. On Saturday night, the dinner and dancing were epic.
The irrepressible Hanauer enjoyed every minute of it, especially the conga line. “OK,” he reported, “I’m a believer in the idea that if a conga line forms, on its own, people are having more fun than people have a right to. I didn’t count the number of folks in our Conga line, but I’m guessing it was near 100.
“Everyone in the Conga line were fully dressed. That means we have a goal for next year eh?”
One of the more notable aspects of the event was that how many boats (63) showed up despite a nasty forecast. “See, boating in the Northwest, is a 12 month out of the year activity. Just like riding bikes,” Chip says.
This year the Seattle Boat Show and the Northwest Marine Trade Association teamed to offer free moorage to attendees.
‘We had a great group of young Vikings and they weren’t pillaging, looting and generally causing havoc,” Chip reported. “No, they were raising money for groups like food banks in Kitsap County. Well done. Part of the ancient ceremony of the opening of The Winter Rendezvous is the appearance of beautiful, talented young women, who are Viking royalty.”
For Tammy Mattson of Tizley’s Europub, one of the primary organizers of the event, reports that the event gave a big boost to the town as well.
“It was a smashing success!” she reports. “We had 357 attendees to the Libation Station. The shops and restaurants had nice traffic despite the nasty weather earlier in the week. The libation producers look forward to seeing more turn-out next year, but many remarked that they only recognized about 20% of the attendees, so this provided great exposure.
One of the things that makes the Winter Rendezvous so special is how the entire community not only rallies around the event, but comes up with fun activities. The poker run is one of these, though Hanauer would much prefer it be renamed a poker stroll. “I hate the name ‘poker run,’ Hanauer explains. “It sounds way too athletic to me.
The poker run was won, appropriately enough, by Neal Booth who was there representing title sponsor Boat Insurance Agency. “He won the poker run with a flush straight,” Mattson reported. “But he was so gracious to pass the large basket of goodies provided by the downtown shops, (estimated value $320) to the guest that won the “Worst Hand.” It ended being a great day for her!
First place in the gloggfest was once again captured by Tom Pelland at That’s A Some Italian Ristorante, downtown’s longest standing restaurant. The competition was stiff, and there is still a bit of bruising left over. Competing shops are already working on their recipes for next year!
In fact, that was the biggest theme of the weekend, next year. After two years of Viking fun, it was generally assumed that the clans will gather again next February, the perfect time for a rendezvous.
Winter Rendezvous Part Deux Sponsors
Boat Insurance Agency
Northwest Yachting
Elliott Bay Marina
Dock Street Marina
CSR Marine
Port of Poulsbo
Monkeyfist Yacht Care
Trinchero Wines
Georgetown Brewery
