It was a day of celebration at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club on Saturday, as members gathered for their annual Change of Watch ceremony. A staple of the Eastside community for 66 years, this year’s ceremony marked an especially momentous occasion as Loretta Pieretti took the reigns as commodore – the first female to hold the position in the club’s history.

Pieretti, a member of the club since 1993, has spent the past three years rising through the ranks (or “chairs”) to become commodore; she previously held the position of Mates’ President, Fleet Captain, Rear Commodore and Vice Commodore. Before being an active member of the yacht club, Pieretti worked for 13 years in the corporate division at Nordstrom and managed her own lighting company.

Led by Ken Case, commodore for the 2010-2011 season, the ceremony featured the presentation of more than 30 dignitaries and previous commodores, some dating back to 1975. The ceremony also featured a touching send-off to current commodore, Greg Abell, who thanked the club for giving him the opportunity and privilege to lead, and an introduction of Pieretti as the new commodore.

As is tradition, Pieretti took the oath to uphold the bylaws of the club, devote her best efforts to the position, be loyal to the club and its interests, and to do anything within reason to promote and advance the well fare of the Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club during her year as commodore. Following her induction, she presented the incumbent officers with their flags and spoke to how proud she is to take on her new role.

“I’m constantly amazed by the talent of the people I work with,” Pieretti said, before closing the ceremony with a gleeful request to get the party started.

In addition to bringing nearly 200 club members to the docks, the Change of Watch ceremony proved to be a reunion of sorts for Pieretti, as 16 relatives – who traveled from as far as Boston to celebrate her achievement. Also in attendance were Pierreti’s husband, Art “King Arthur” Pieretti, and a handful of other relatives and close friends.

As commodore, Pieretti will spend the next year overseeing all major happenings at the club. Following her term, Pieretti will serve on the club’s Board for three years.

“We’re really not surprised she has accomplished this,” said Pieretti’s sister, Jean Artz. “She’s always been a leader in the family.”

Another of Pieretti’s sisters, Leann Hall, shared the sentiment, saying she is proud of her sister, and honored to be a part of the special festivities.

The day-long festivities will conclude with a boat cruise around Lake Union, culminating in a “sail pass,” in which a parade of 22 boats will pass by Commodore Pieretti and salute her. The night will end at the clubhouse, with a New Orleans themed dinner for members and guests.