LANCASTER—The 28th Hospice Turkey Shoot Regatta, in support of local Hospice programs, will be held September 29 through October 1.
Always an enjoyable local event—with perhaps over 100 beautiful sailboats—this will be hosted by the Rappahannock River Yacht Club (RRYC) in Irvington, said committee member Tom Wicks. Registration is open at Yachtscoring.com.
Two historic sailing vessels will visit: the Godspeed, a replica of the ship that helped found Jamestown, and the Luna, a replica 48-foot Virginia sloop of the Colonial Seaport Foundation.
At present, both ships will be berthed at the nearby Tides Inn and are planning to be open to the public at times, said Wicks. Godspeed may also continue her educational program in cooperation with the Lancaster Primary School and the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Neck.
The event is open to classic sailing monohulls of a design older than 20 years, from 18 feet and larger, spinnaker and non-spinnaker. Co-sponsored by RRYC and Yankee Point Racing and Cruising Club, the regatta is generously supported by donations from the local business community.
Registrations before September 1 will enjoy a $15 discount (to $95) and will enable the printing of the boat name on the souvenir regatta tee shirt.
The event will open with check-in, orientation and a welcoming cocktail party with heavy hors d’oeuvres from 5:30-7:30 p.m. September 29, open to the public, $20 per person plus a cash bar.
The first race will begin at 11 a.m. September 30 on the Rappahannock River. Saturday dinner at 6 p.m. is open to all at $25 per person with a cash bar. The second race will begin at 10:30 a.m. on October 1. An awards ceremony and refreshments follow at 2:30 p.m., everyone welcome.
For ticket and donation information, go to Yachtscoring.com, 2023 Hospice Turkey Shoot Regatta/competitor information. Or contact regatta co-chair Tom Chapman at tdchapman@gmail.com or 577-3202; turkeyshoot.org or rryc.org.
Hospice contacts are Hospice Support Services of the Northern Neck, 333-0084, and Riverside Hospice Agencies of Tappahannock and Gloucester.
This sailing regatta, dating from 1991, has been part of the Hospice support program for the past 28 years, and continues to be a major contributor, said Wicks.
