The King County Water Taxi is aboard the good ship WSB Sponsorship as of this week, and we’re now just three days away from the start of its 2009 season. A news release just came in with a few more details about this Sunday’s noon-2 pm kickoff celebration, including giveaway and music details – read on!

The King County Water Taxi’s West Seattle-to-downtown route sails into summer with a new name, look, and logo on its earliest opening day yet—marked by a kick-off event on Sunday, April 5 from noon to 2 p.m.

Refreshments, live music, and family activities will be featured at the event at West Seattle’s Seacrest Dock. The musical group Once will perform. Water Taxi rides will be free all day and riders will receive free Water Taxi buttons and squeeze toys.

“With the King County Ferry District taking over the Water Taxi, service has been extended from April 5 to October 31,” said King County Council Chair and King County Ferry District Chair Dow Constantine, who will host the kickoff event. “We’ve also made some low-cost improvements as we prepare for year-round Water Taxi operation.”

The King County Water Taxi will feature a new look, dock signage has been improved, and the boat will accept the new ORCA fare cards, in addition to other transit passes. The free shuttle van service has been split into two routes—with Route 773 serving the West Seattle Junction and Route 775 serving the Admiral District, Alki and Harbor Avenue. The shuttle will operate between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and between 8:45 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. on weekends.

Argosy Cruises will operate the Water Taxi service using the 250-passenger MV Sightseer. The boat will depart about every 40 minutes during commute hours and hourly during the middle of the day. Evening service will be offered on Friday and Saturday nights with the last sailings leaving Pier 55 at 10:30 p.m. and Seacrest Dock at 11 p.m. Evening service will also be offered for every Seattle Mariners home game, giving baseball fans a relaxing alternative to game-day gridlock.

The one-way fare for the King County Water Taxi is $3 for anyone over the age of 5. Passengers with a valid Metro transfer pay just $1. Also accepted for full fare are PugetPasses, FlexPasses, Metro Access Passes, UPasses, Vanpool Passes, Saturday/Sunday Day Passes, and Regional Reduced Fare Permits with a valid monthly or annual sticker. The 2009 Water Taxi season runs through Friday, Oct. 31.