Water taxi passenger service from the Des Moines Marina to the Tall Ships Festival in Tacoma was a "major success," city officials reported last week.

"We provided six round trips to Tacoma over the July Fourth weekend, with a total of 490 passengers sailing from Des Moines," said city parks and recreation director Patrice Thorell.

"Four additional Tall Ships and Fireworks Cruises on Argosy boats were sold out," Thorell said. "The water taxi and cruises were very well received and overall it was quite successful."

The success of the holiday weekend sailings "is evidence once again that Des Moines is being discovered and recognized for its potential for activities around the marina and Puget Sound," noted Mayor Bob Sheckler.

"These cruises to the Tall Ships Festival showed that people will come to Des Moines from around the area for special events at the marina and to go from the marina to unique activities elsewhere."

Thorell added that the July 4 Fireworks Over Des Moines display, hosted by Powell Homes and the Des Moines Rotary Club, drew thousands to the city's waterfront in the "biggest and best show yet" that "brought the evening to a festive close for those who had returned earlier from a cruise to the Tall Ships Festival."