Area yacht lovers will celebrate Opening Day festivities later this month, including gala events at the Shelter Island-based San Diego and Southwestern yacht clubs. With nice weather year-round in San Diego, the celebrations are more a matter of tradition than to mark the start of sailing season, said club officials. “It stems from most East Coast yacht clubs, which typically open up in the springtime for the season because they were snowed in or iced in for the winter,” said San Diego Yacht Club Commodore William Campbell. “They have a real Opening Day because most of their seasons are only six to seven months long. We’re open 364 out of 365 days.” What’s on deck • San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC), 1011 Anchorage Lane, will hold its 125th Opening Day on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18. Festivities will include yacht inspections, club awards and the Commodore’s Dinner Dance. Campbell said Opening Day at SDYC also serves as a chance to mingle with old friends. “A significant percentage of the membership comes out, participates and walks around and says hello,” Campbell said. “A lot of times that is the only day you will see them.” For more information, visit www.sdyc.org. • At the end of the month, Southwestern Yacht Club (SWYC), 2702 Qualtrough St., will celebrate its 85th Opening Day over a three-day span. SYC will have Fiesta Friday on April 30, Closing Day ceremonies on May 1 and Opening Day ceremonies on May 2. Highlights of SYC’s Opening Day include boat judging, music and a parade of club boats. For more information, visit www.southwesternyc.org. • If you spot a dinghy sinking on Mission Bay on Saturday, April 17, don’t panic. That tradition is part of the 83rd annual Opening Day ceremonies at Mission Bay Yacht Club (MBYC). Other traditions are the commodore racing against the club’s juniors across the bay and a sail-by parade of the club’s fleet. The ceremony will include live music and a raft-up in front of the clubhouse. For more information, visit www.mbyc.org.