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Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix guide
Southwest Florida's most famous races are going prime time. Suncoast Charities for Children’s 31st Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix will be creating spectacular wakes off Lido Beach over Independence Day weekend, with events kicking off this Saturday. The races have landed an hour special on CBS Sports Network airing 7 p.m. July 15. The broadcast will feature seven powerboat classes expected to participate.
In addition to CBS Sports Network the inclusion of jet-ski racers and open-canopy style race boats has garnered coverage by Fox Sun Sports and MAV TV. Powerboat racers will vie for a slice of the $70,000 prize purse. The extra TV money means two full days of continuous racing, with 30 powerboats and 60 jet-ski racers already pre-registered to race.
This year’s races are being sanctioned by Offshore Powerboat Grand Prix and Powerboat P1 USA. This change was made since Suncoast Charities for Children could not commit to a five year contract requested by Super Boat International. “Like any special event, we have to take it one year at a time since this annual festival and race are contingent upon financial sponsorship support," said Lucy Nicandri, the festival's director, in a statement. "You can’t keep doing things the same way and expect to grow and secure key funding. This year’s sanctioning gave us an opportunity to grow and expand.”
TUESDAY, JUNE 30
Festival Kickoff Party
It’s a “nautical night of giving” fundraiser at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
6-10 p.m., $100 per person, cocktail casual attire (no jeans or shorts)
Food stations, open bar, valet parking, silent auction
Performance by Kettle of Fish
To purchase tickets visit: sarasotapowerboatgrandprix.org
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
The Friendliest Catch
This invitation-only outing is for the physically and mentally challenged.
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sarasota Outboard Club, 1604 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island
THURSDAY, JULY 2
Fleming’s Fan Fest
Mix and mingle with racers and their teammates.
5- 8 p.m. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota; free
Offering “5-6-7” happy hour menu and cash bar
Performance by Joey Lavallee and The Groove Hounds
FRIDAY, JULY 3
Meet & Greet
See who is in the driver’s seat of the powerboats at this reception. Participating racers will be signing autographs and providing giveaway items to guests.
10-11:30 a.m., Ballroom of Hyatt Regency, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota;
$5 donation, children age 12 and under free
Powerboats by the Bay
See the race teams on display at the dry pits. Enjoy food, beverages and other vendors with live entertainment by DJ Troy Wyse. No coolers or pets allowed.
12-5 p.m. Centennial Park, 1565 First St., Sarasota; free
Race Testing for Powerboats
Watch the warm-up action.
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., directly off Lido Beach, between New Pass and Big Pass.
Downtown Block Party
This downtown Sarasota bash starts before the big parade and continues long after with a performance by One Night Rodeo, vendors and race boats on display. Plus, there’s the Miss Hooters swimsuit pageant on the Lemon Avenue stage with competition rounds at approximately 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. with winners announced at 11 p.m.
4 p.m.-midnight, Lemon Avenue, between First and State streets
Festival Parade of Boats
Check out the powerboats, and teams, as they get pulled through downtown Sarasota.
6 p.m. beginning at U.S. 301 and rolling down Main Street to Gulfstream Avenue.
SATURDAY, JULY 4
Powerboats by the Bay
Another opportunity to see the race teams on display at the dry pits. Enjoy food, beverages and other vendors with live entertainment by DJ Troy Wyse. No coolers or pets allowed.
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Centennial Park, 1565 First St., Sarasota; free
Powerboat and Jet Ski races
These are the qualifying rounds.
10 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m., directly off Lido Beach, between New Pass and Big Pass
Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular
Celebrate Independence and the boat races with these blasts in the sky with the best viewing near Island Park.
9 p.m. Sarasota Bayfront Park, 2 Marina Plaza
SUNDAY, JULY 5
Powerboat and Jet Ski Races
The races are on with continuous action all day during the final round.
10 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m., directly off Lido Beach, between New Pass and Big Pass.
Powerboats by the Bay
Another opportunity to see the race teams on display at the dry pits. Enjoy food, beverages and other vendors with live entertainment by DJ Troy Wyse. No coolers or pets allowed.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Centennial Park, 1565 First St., Sarasota; free
Race Awards Ceremony
Congratulate winning teams and racers on the beach after the last
5 p.m. Sandcastle Resort on Lido Beach, 1540 Benjamin Franklin Drive; free admission and open to the public.
Please Note: Due to weather, or unexpected race delays, times may be altered.
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix
June 27-July 5; 487-7904; sarasotapowerboatgrandprix.org
VIP race day viewing tickets are $105.99 per day and include watching continuous racing action under a tented seating area at the Sandcastle Resort on Lido Beach, 1540 Benjamin Franklin Drive. Ticket price includes complimentary food, parking, trolley shuttle to the hotel from the Lido Beach South parking lot, inside restrooms and a cash bar. All proceeds benefit Suncoast Charities for Children, producer of the annual race and festival. Purchase tickets.
http://www.ticketsarasota.com/2015/06/24/sarasota-powerboat-grand-prix-guide-2015/
Southwest Florida's most famous races are going prime time. Suncoast Charities for Children’s 31st Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix will be creating spectacular wakes off Lido Beach over Independence Day weekend, with events kicking off this Saturday. The races have landed an hour special on CBS Sports Network airing 7 p.m. July 15. The broadcast will feature seven powerboat classes expected to participate.
In addition to CBS Sports Network the inclusion of jet-ski racers and open-canopy style race boats has garnered coverage by Fox Sun Sports and MAV TV. Powerboat racers will vie for a slice of the $70,000 prize purse. The extra TV money means two full days of continuous racing, with 30 powerboats and 60 jet-ski racers already pre-registered to race.
This year’s races are being sanctioned by Offshore Powerboat Grand Prix and Powerboat P1 USA. This change was made since Suncoast Charities for Children could not commit to a five year contract requested by Super Boat International. “Like any special event, we have to take it one year at a time since this annual festival and race are contingent upon financial sponsorship support," said Lucy Nicandri, the festival's director, in a statement. "You can’t keep doing things the same way and expect to grow and secure key funding. This year’s sanctioning gave us an opportunity to grow and expand.”
TUESDAY, JUNE 30
Festival Kickoff Party
It’s a “nautical night of giving” fundraiser at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
6-10 p.m., $100 per person, cocktail casual attire (no jeans or shorts)
Food stations, open bar, valet parking, silent auction
Performance by Kettle of Fish
To purchase tickets visit: sarasotapowerboatgrandprix.org
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
The Friendliest Catch
This invitation-only outing is for the physically and mentally challenged.
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sarasota Outboard Club, 1604 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island
THURSDAY, JULY 2
Fleming’s Fan Fest
Mix and mingle with racers and their teammates.
5- 8 p.m. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota; free
Offering “5-6-7” happy hour menu and cash bar
Performance by Joey Lavallee and The Groove Hounds
FRIDAY, JULY 3
Meet & Greet
See who is in the driver’s seat of the powerboats at this reception. Participating racers will be signing autographs and providing giveaway items to guests.
10-11:30 a.m., Ballroom of Hyatt Regency, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota;
$5 donation, children age 12 and under free
Powerboats by the Bay
See the race teams on display at the dry pits. Enjoy food, beverages and other vendors with live entertainment by DJ Troy Wyse. No coolers or pets allowed.
12-5 p.m. Centennial Park, 1565 First St., Sarasota; free
Race Testing for Powerboats
Watch the warm-up action.
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., directly off Lido Beach, between New Pass and Big Pass.
Downtown Block Party
This downtown Sarasota bash starts before the big parade and continues long after with a performance by One Night Rodeo, vendors and race boats on display. Plus, there’s the Miss Hooters swimsuit pageant on the Lemon Avenue stage with competition rounds at approximately 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. with winners announced at 11 p.m.
4 p.m.-midnight, Lemon Avenue, between First and State streets
Festival Parade of Boats
Check out the powerboats, and teams, as they get pulled through downtown Sarasota.
6 p.m. beginning at U.S. 301 and rolling down Main Street to Gulfstream Avenue.
SATURDAY, JULY 4
Powerboats by the Bay
Another opportunity to see the race teams on display at the dry pits. Enjoy food, beverages and other vendors with live entertainment by DJ Troy Wyse. No coolers or pets allowed.
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Centennial Park, 1565 First St., Sarasota; free
Powerboat and Jet Ski races
These are the qualifying rounds.
10 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m., directly off Lido Beach, between New Pass and Big Pass
Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular
Celebrate Independence and the boat races with these blasts in the sky with the best viewing near Island Park.
9 p.m. Sarasota Bayfront Park, 2 Marina Plaza
SUNDAY, JULY 5
Powerboat and Jet Ski Races
The races are on with continuous action all day during the final round.
10 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m., directly off Lido Beach, between New Pass and Big Pass.
Powerboats by the Bay
Another opportunity to see the race teams on display at the dry pits. Enjoy food, beverages and other vendors with live entertainment by DJ Troy Wyse. No coolers or pets allowed.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Centennial Park, 1565 First St., Sarasota; free
Race Awards Ceremony
Congratulate winning teams and racers on the beach after the last
5 p.m. Sandcastle Resort on Lido Beach, 1540 Benjamin Franklin Drive; free admission and open to the public.
Please Note: Due to weather, or unexpected race delays, times may be altered.
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix
June 27-July 5; 487-7904; sarasotapowerboatgrandprix.org
VIP race day viewing tickets are $105.99 per day and include watching continuous racing action under a tented seating area at the Sandcastle Resort on Lido Beach, 1540 Benjamin Franklin Drive. Ticket price includes complimentary food, parking, trolley shuttle to the hotel from the Lido Beach South parking lot, inside restrooms and a cash bar. All proceeds benefit Suncoast Charities for Children, producer of the annual race and festival. Purchase tickets.
http://www.ticketsarasota.com/2015/06/24/sarasota-powerboat-grand-prix-guide-2015/
