On New Year’s Eve the first ever Burning Boat Festival occurred in Des Moines, and it seems to be the first of many.
In partnership with South King Fire & Rescue and Des Moines, WA Police Department, this first-of-its-kind event in the region brought the community together for an exciting event while also sending all event proceeds to benefit mental health and substance abuse disorder.
A lot of work was put into this event, the Des Moines community wanted to replicate this as well as possible but turn it modern so that kids of all ages could participate.
The boat was built by the fire department along with the police department and students from Maritime High School. It was built for a safe burn on the water.
There was also a raffle and whoever won got to set the boat on fire with a torch provided by the fire department.
This “burning boat concept” dates back almost 300 years.
In Taiwan, it originated with Chinese immigrants who brought the rituals in hopes of protecting themselves from disease and demons in their new homeland.
It has now turned into a New Year’s tradition around the world and has been brought to Des Moines for the first time in history.
The tradition has somewhat altered to the 21st century, people are meant to write handwritten letters with their past year’s regrets and their new year wishes to have them sent up in smoke at midnight.
The note cards that were passed around stated “dear 2022….hello 2023…”.
It included beverages with open fire pits and smores (all proceeds went to Destination Des Moines). There was also a wide selection of food trucks from small businesses in the area.
It was held at the Des Moines marina, with only a small fee to participate. It was abundant with many families.
There were almost 700 Des Moines families in and out of the whole event.
The Burning Boat Festival started at 4 p.m. and went on until 1 a.m., and it became more active as the night went on.
Most children and families came early and after that adults stayed and enjoyed the beer and wine barn until the boat was set to burn.
It was a nice local event; along with the boat burn, fireworks were seen from across the Puget Sound.
A new tradition for the Des Moines area, astray from the regular New York Ball Drop that most all know and love.
More information for donations and where you can buy tickets for next year can be found at: https://givebutter.com/BurningBoatFestival
As said before this will be the first of many, so if you missed it this year make sure not to miss it next year.