The Spirit of Seattle one of the Argosy Cruises Christmas ships was off shore at Lowman Beach (and later Alki Beach) on Dec. 8 providing a musical stage for the Dickens Carolers to sing traditional Christmas songs to a crowd of more than 500 at Lowman Beach and an even larger crowd at Alki.
The Argosy Cruises Christmas ships made their second sailing to West Seattle in as many days Dec. 8, arriving just at dusk at Lowman Beach around 4:35. The Dickens Carolers sang as a crowd estimated to be more than 500 people crowded along the shore at low tide for the event. Seattle Parks provided the bonfire (though they kept people away from close proximity).
Then it was off to the Alki Beach event where an even larger crowd greeted the festively decorated craft. Refreshments were served in the Alki Bathhouse and the band Joyful Noise entertained the crowd once the Christmas ships had done their show.
Santa showed up, but on a motorcycle. It was Steven Bartell who has been riding his red and white Harley down to the Alki Beach event since 1992 bringing candy canes for the kids. "I just love it," he said.
Hope Lutheran Church brought the cast of their Nativity play down to the beach and Mary Welch said, "This is our 11th year coming down here and we just want to remind West Seattle that the traditional roots of Christmas celebrate the birth of Jesus our saviour, who is at the heart of many of the carols being sung tonight. We want to bless the community and bring Jesus to them."
She added that the Church (Corner of 42nd and Oregon St) has a Christmas program on Wednesday Dec. 12th @ 7PM and on Christmas Eve they have three "special services." Learn more at www.hopelutheran.org.
