The event's producer, Tacky Tourist Clubs, finally announced today they are close to a sellout for Queen City Cruise: Project Gangplank.

This is a late date for this party to sell out, but it means that the Goodtime II will once again be packed with party-folks as it makes its circuit on the Bay, through the Locks, and around Lake Union.

The decorated boat will motor out of Pier 55 at noon Saturday, August 9, for its five-hour tour that includes two passages through the tourist-thronged Ballard Locks.

According to a counter the group is displaying on its ticket-sales page, there are now 13 tickets remaining. (The group does, however, also sell about two dozen "standby" tickets. One of those tickets won't guarantee you a place on the boat, but your chances of getting onboard are pretty good if you get an early standby ticket.)

One of the unique things about this year's Cruise -- the 28th -- is that it will probably be the last one produced by Tacky Tourist Clubs and the event's creator, Randy Henson.

He's said this before, but he vows that he means it this year when he says he will retire as Event Coordinator after this year's outing. He told us that this does not mean the Cruise will end. Another local non-profit (whose name has not yet been officially announced) has expressed interest in continuing the tradition of one of Seattle's longest-running gay parties.

Randy says that he'll continue as a consultant for the party next year, but he's promised to hand over primary responsibility for the party to others.

And all of that means that the character of the event will probably change a bit after this year.