Crowd estimates went as high as 1,500 people, many from out of town, for the program put on by BMW-Oracle Racing, builders of the Anacortes-built trimaran that took back the America's Cup from a Swiss team in February.
The team said the event here and one set for Seattle on Sunday served as a thank you for the support and contributions of the area.
Core Builders, the team’s custom composite boatbuilding facility in Anacortes, built the Cup-winning, space-age 90-foot carbon fiber trimaran, along with its massive 230-foot wingsail. Operating here since 2004, Core Builders has been building boats and components for BMW ORACLE Racing for the past two editions of the America's Cup.
Several crew members, design team members and builders were interviewed for the audience. Mayor Dean Maxwell presented a key to the city. (When did the city get a key?) And, the crowd was treated to videos showing the boat, including a preview of a documentary now in production.