Special People’s Holiday Cruise 2018 – Santa Photos

This past Sunday I was once again the Santa photographer for the 2018 Special People’s Cruise, held at Meydenbauer Yacht Club in Bellevue.  I say “once again” because I have now been the official Santa photographer at this event for ~25 years.  I first started in this role when my daughter Kerri, who has Down Syndrome, was about 6-7 years old.

The way this cruise works is that people of all ages with developmental disabilities are able to sign up to be a part of the Cruise.  Depending on where they live in the Seattle are they are either brought to a local yacht club by bus or private car, and they are then matched up with boat owners who have volunteered to take the “cruisers” for a trip on Lake Washington, which lasts roughly 60-90 minutes.  While on the boats everyone sings Christmas carols, has snacks, and has a chance to talk to Santa on the boat’s VHF radio.  After the boat ride everyone (at least those who participate at MBYC) then goes back to the yacht club clubhouse, where they have a chance to meet with Santa and have their photo taken together.

When I started as the Santa photographer MBYC was the only local yacht club that was part of this program.  That meant that the number of people who came to be part of the Cruise was quite large; I remember years when we had well over 200 people visit with Santa, and quite a few others had been on the boats but had to leave to catch their ride home before having a chance for a photo with Santa.  Over the years more area yacht clubs have gotten involved, and now many more of the DD (Developmentally Disabled) community are able to part of the Cruise.  This year I photographed ~150 people with Santa, and I believe that well over 500 DD people are now able to participate in the Cruise in the Seattle area.

Here are a few Santa photos from this year’s Cruise.  I hope that you enjoy them!