Regatta No. 47 Set for Labor Day Weekend
LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven Area Jaycees Labor Day Regatta is celebrating its 47th annual event with a grand marshal for the second year.
She is Shay Woods, born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle bones disease; at age 6, after 17 breaks, six surgeries including implementation of a medi-port to help administer medication due to poor veins and relocating. After being settled in Pennsylvania, both parents are now working and Shay’s disability has been cut by 75 percent. Shay will require several other additional surgeries and long trips from her family. Donation jars will be located along the midway to help her and her family with the cost for treatments.
This year’s regatta will again feature the midway, arts and crafts stands and free musical entertainment on the Jaycees Stage open on Friday night, from 6 to 10 pm. Again this year, the area’s best fireworks display will go off Sunday at 10:30 p.m. (Rain date Monday at 9 p.m.).
The Urge will take to the Jaycees stage Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday night will be discount ride band night
The free musical entertainment will include:
WSQV/WBPZ Day: Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m. with numerous area acts, including: Broc Phillips, Mainstreet Hooligans, Torrin Mauck, The Handsome Ramblers, Abram Williams, The Echo & Sway, 2 A.M., The Lost Saints, Rize, LIXX.
Bear Bash 24: Sunday from 1 to 10:30 p.m.:Clark McLane Band, Ridin’ Shotgun, Sue Bloom Acoustic Trio, Biscuit Jam, Scott Bird Band, Mo Nelson Band. Prize giveaways will be held in-between bands.
Free live music will be presented by The Lock Haven Area Jaycees Monday from noon to 5 p.m. Phil Reeder from noon to 2 p.m. and Big Daddy Bangers from 2 to 5 p.m.
In addition to the family-friendly fun on the Lock Haven side of the Susquehanna River, the Dunnstown Fire Company welcomes all to the Lockport side of the river, with many more vendors, and those 21 years of age and older for the Budweiser Beer Tent, open Friday through Sunday. Playing Friday is Scott Bird (country) Saturday will be DJ’s and Sunday starting at 2 p.m. will be 5 o’clock World (early rock) and a DJ finishing out the night
Jaycee officials estimate that approximately 40,000 people are expected to attend the four-day event, having a huge impact on the local economy through the hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts; gasoline stations; and other local businesses; and the various vendors at the event itself.
The festivities kick off at about 10 a.m. Saturday with opening ceremonies with State Rep. Mike Hanna. Then, the boat races start, scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday.
“The boat racers know and love Lock Haven and look forward to the action, both on and off the river, each year,” said Jaycee Treasurer DuWayne Kunes.
In addition to the long-running C and J Class hydro and runaround boats, the American Power Boating Association is once again planning on bringing in two classes of alcohol boats, the Alcohol Pro Class 125 cc and 250 cc. The latter boats can get up to speeds of around 90 mph.
The annual C Class stock hydros Dash for Cash will run Sunday at around noon. That race will have a cash prize of at least $1,000 to the winner, depending on how many drivers donate at registration. The Dash for Cash will feature at least two dozen of the country’s best boat racers.
Those with personal watercrafts are reminded to keep them off the course while the races are going on. The limit for those on the river is the lower point of Boom Island. “If they get too close to the race course, the races will be shut down and it will hold up the show,” said Kunes, who added that boaters will not be allowed go past the boat launch while the fireworks are being set off Sunday at 10:30 p.m.
Also, the city will close off City Beach during the races for the safety of the residents and the boaters. And, the city’s dike-levee walkway will be closed from the top of the amphitheatre on both sides to protect the public, in addition to the first three steps of the amphitheatre. Those in that area without proper credentials will be asked to move. Due to new insurance regulations, a 100-foot safety zone from the race course will be enforced.
The regatta midway featuring food, games, and rides from many local nonprofit organizations and vendors will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Monday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The arts and crafts area will run in Canal Park from Water Street to Main Street.
“It’s a good family event,” Kunes said. “We have the midway, food, rides and games on this side, along with the arts and crafts displays in Canal Park. And for those adults who like to indulge, there will be the beer tent with Dunnstown Fire Company and Anheuser-Bush products. They’re excited about that and we’re excited.”
“The rides, the food, the boats… Why would you not want to come down?”
This is the Jaycees largest fundraiser of the year and is one of the bigger Jaycee events in the state and nation. The organization is planning on seeing many state officials on hand during the weekend.
All the money raised will be funneled back into the community through various activities and donations throughout the year.
“This helps keep us afloat for the year,” said Kunes. “All of the activities and events that we do for the community during the year are funded through this one event. So, we’d like to see everyone come out Labor Day Weekend to support us and the other venders and organizations here and celebrate the end of summer as only Lock Haven can, with the best boat racers, the best food, the best games, the best arts and crafts vendors, the best bands and the best fireworks in the region.
