NEWPORT SHIPYARD ‘PUMPKIN REGATTA’ TO BE HELD OCTOBER 12 TO RAISE MONEY FOR WARRIOR SAILING PROGRAM & WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER OF NEWPORT
Yacht captains and crew, Shipyard employees and tenants, and friends in the yachting community will come together Friday, Oct. 12, to raise funds for Warrior Sailing Program and Women’s Resource Center
On Friday, October 12, the yachting community will come together at Newport Shipyard to paddle in the Shipyard’s annual “Pumpkin Regatta” which raised over $8,200 for hurricane relief organizations and the Warrior Sailing Program in 2017. Different charities are chosen each year and this year, Shipyard employees chose to once again support Warrior Sailing Program which provides maritime education and outreach for wounded, ill, and injured service members. Newport Shipyard has also partnered with Monique Graham, a local hairstylist at Frank Antonio Hair and Makeup in Newport, who raises money with a group of friends and colleagues each month for a select charity, and this month they have chosen the Women’s Resource Center of Newport.
“The Pumpkin Regatta has become a very popular event for the local marine industry and we hope this year will be another great success,” said Eli Dana, general manager of Newport Shipyard. “Last year we worked closely with several boats who were here in the Shipyard to raise funds after the devastating affects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on Caribbean islands our customers base out of in the winter months. Last year we had over 200 people in attendance paddling, bidding on silent auction items, and donating money and clothing, which was greatly appreciated by the Newport Shipyard team and the beneficiaries. We invite our marine industry friends to participate again this year by forming a team, sponsoring a paddler, or coming down to bid on silent auction items to raise money for this year’s charities,” Dana said. Food from Brunch Belly food truck and Bella’s Pizzeria will be served and the bar is sponsored by PROPSPEED, a propeller coating system owned by Oceanmax. Attendees will also enjoy the sounds of DJ Soul Teknology, who will play during the event.
Paddlers will donate $25 each to race across the Shipyard’s “main street” basin and around a buoy and back in fiberglass pumpkins which have been painted to support both charities. Each team will have 4-5 paddlers in the relay-style race, which will be timed by Shipyard employees. The team with the best time will receive four bottles of champagne and bragging rights as the 2018 Pumpkin Regatta winners. Interested paddlers can register online at: http://www.newportshipyard.com/events/pumpkinregatta
Local Newport businesses including Gurney’s Resort of Newport, Frank Antonio Hair Salon, CK Bradley, Providence Bruins, Monelle boutique, Newport Marriott and Bridge Liquors have made donations to the raffle and silent auction, which will take place during the Pumpkin Regatta from 4:30-7:30pm. “A big thanks to our donors and sponsors who are helping to make this annual event a huge success,” Dana concluded.
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About Newport Shipyard: Newport Shipyard, one of the most popular and recommended shipyards in the U.S., is a full-service marina and shipyard with over 3,500 linear feet of dock space that can accommodate yachts up to 300+ feet. Its amenities include a dockside café, ship store, fitness center, courtesy vehicles and crew housing. With its friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere and event planning capabilities, Newport Shipyard also is host to many other prestigious yachting events, including the Newport Charter Yacht Show, Newport Bermuda Race Crew Party, Candy Store Cup superyacht regatta, Newport Yacht Rendezvous benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, Rock the Docks to support Seamen’s Church Institute, and Boats & Bowties to support the Confetti Foundation. For the full Newport Shipyard experience, visit: www.NewportShipyard.com