8th Annual Festival
Friday April 19th through Sunday April 21st

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is extremely pleased to be the 2013 host for the Classic Craft Festival!

We could not be more excited about meeting all of you and introducing you to one of the most fantastic "old Florida" sailing clubs in the State. 

If you have any questions about the information below, please contact me directly.  Our onsite Manager Craig Bridges at 941-388-2355 or manager@sarasotasailingsquadron.org and his staff can also field your inquiries. 

What:                                      

8th Annual Florida Gulf Coast Traditional Small Craft Association Classic Craft Fest  www.tsca.net

When:    

Friday April 19th thru Sunday April 21st.

Where:  

Sarasota Sailing Squadron

1717 Ken Thompson Parkway

Sarasota, Florida 34236

www.SarasotaSailingSquadron.org 

Manager@SarasotaSailingSquadron.org 

941-388-2355

Hello Classic Craft Fest Attendee!

In response to the questions we have been receiving, please see the following information and updated schedule of events.

Do I need to register?  Yes.  Although, there is no fee for registration it would be very helpful to know when you are coming and what you are bringing.  Please call the Sarasota Sailing Squadron office at 941-388-2355 or contact us at www.SarasotaSailingSquadron.org   Manager Craig Bridges will make accommodations for your vessel whether on the grounds or in the water.  It is going to be a very busy weekend at the Sailing Squadron so logistics will be paramount.  Once boats are in place, vehicles and trailers will need to be removed to Ken Thompson Park immediately outside our gates where they can remain for the duration of the Festival.

Is there a potluck on Friday night?  Yes, but we are new to your group so the Sailing Squadron's involvement will be limited to providing a full, semi commercial kitchen for prep and storage and our outdoor barbecue area which has a propane grill, holding ovens and large serving tables.  It has been suggested the Potluck will be at 6:00PM but I would like to leave the spontaneous organization (?) of this event to regular attendees and GCTSCA members.

Can we camp overnight?  The Sailing Squadron has limited camping facilities and if you would like to pitch a tent or inquire about space for a camping vehicle you must contact the office at 941-388-2355 or www.SarasotaSailiingSquadron.org  There are designated areas on property where you can be accommodated.

How can we launch our vessels?  The Sailing Squadron has a hoist, ramps and plenty of beach space for launching.  However, Saturday morning is going to be busy.  There are two other events being held on Sarasota Bay Saturday April 20th.  Bird Key is hosting the Sarasota Bay Cup so some Squadron members will be launching in the morning for this regatta.  As such, it might be best to avoid the hoist and ramps until after 10:30AM.  The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is also home to the Sarasota Youth Sailing Program and they will be "beach launching" a number of boats on the southern portion of our property.  After these two groups are on the water we should find ourselves with elbow room, launching opportunities and plenty of grassy spots under the shade of pine trees to display smaller craft.

Will there be races and on water demonstrations?  This is another aspect of your festival we will need your help with.  If you are familiar with our location, you know there is an abundance of sailing opportunities.  We can be in the lee of just about any wind conditions and there is ample room to go out and sail around a few marks.  I suspect we can convene a Skippers meeting late morning and share ideas about on water activities.  This can be held in our main pavilion which has a sound system and plenty of visual aids to communicate course decisions.

Will there be a guest speaker?  YES!  I'm grateful that Edward "Tim" Seibert has agreed to give a presentation on his recent Classic Craft designs at 4:00PM Saturday afternoon.  Tim Seibert, one of the most prolific architects of a group we now refer to as The Sarasota School of Architecture has been designing classic sailboats for the last several years and has won the Classic Craft magazine design award in 2005, 2007 and 2012.  He will be bringing half hulls, drawings and plenty of stories.  This will be a presentation not to be missed.

On Sunday morning, we will also have Sailing Squadron founding member and renowned wooden boat builder, George Luzier on property.  He will be on Baby Doll, a boat built decades ago and sailed thousands of miles by George and his late wife, Caroline.  This will be an informal visit with no planned presentation but we are looking forward to George answering questions and sharing tales of having Sarasota as a home port for over 80 years of active sailing, even to this day.

Is there a Saturday night dinner?  Yes, for $15.00 you can participate in a Squadron funded brisket barbecue (menu subject to change).  It will be a large and informal dining event that will also include participants in the youth event.  This is the kind of meal we are used to having at the Sailing Squadron; big, fun and casual.  Tables will be set up in our main pavilion so we can eat as a group but you will find it is sort of like commandeering a picnic shelter at a State Park.  We can enjoy each others' company but there will be other people on our large property coming and going on the periphery of all events.  Dinner tickets can be purchased at designated sites on property after you arrive.

Are there T Shirts or other memorabilia?  Yes, Irwin Schuster, once again, designed an absolutely beautiful logo commemorating this event and T Shirts will be available for $12.00.  We have well over 100 shirts but if we run out we can back order.  The Sailing Squadron also sells shirts, hats, koozies, burgees and other items that may be of interest.

What's happening on Sunday?  As previously mentioned, we will have George Luzier on property but my understanding of previous events is Sunday is a casual mess about day while people prepare to sail, motor or drive home.

Will there be any judging or awards?  This is another aspect to the Festival I may need to lean on you GCTSCA members for.  I am perfectly willing to tell you what I think of your boat, so there's one judge!  We may be able to cajole Tim Seibert into sharing an opinion or two.  Who among you is willing to set up a "peoples' favorite" competition? 

Final Note.  We are happy to have you as our guests for the 8th annual Craft Fest. The Sarasota Sailing Squadron might be the best property on the Gulf Coast of Florida for such an event, but since it our first time "officially hosting" and we are operating with a skeleton crew I'm asking for your patience and participation in advance.  Our club will be a whirlwind of activity next weekend with us right in the middle. We will be looking for constructive feedback and interested people to begin planning for 2014.

David Jennings, Commodore

Sarasota Sailing Squadron

P: 941-650-7354  F: 941-866-1061

David.Jennings@FloridaMoves.com

The VIIIth  “Great” 
 Florida Gulf Coast Small Craft Festival

is back for 2013

8th Annual Festival 2013
Friday April 19th through Sunday April 21st


The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is extremely pleased to be the 2013 host for the Classic Craft Festival!

We could not be more excited about meeting all of you and introducing you to one of the most fantastic "old Florida" sailing clubs in the State. 

If you have any questions about the information below, please contact me directly.  Our onsite Manager Craig Bridges and his staff can also field your inquiries. 

What:                                
8th Annual Florida Gulf Coast Traditional Small Craft Association Classic Craft Fest www.tsca.net 

When:    
Friday April 19th thru Sunday April 21st.

Where:  
Sarasota Sailing Squadron

1717 Ken Thompson Parkway

Sarasota, Florida 34236

www.SarasotaSailingSquadron.org 

Manager@SarasotaSailingSquadron.org 

941-388-2355

Schedule of Events:  

Friday, April 19th

Arrival and Potluck dinner. Manager Craig Bridges can provide information for those interested in camping. There is limited space for RV parking. The Club kitchen and BBQ pavilion are available for use. The club will make facilities available and instruct participants where to park, where to launch, where to put boats, etc...

Saturday, April 20th 

Mess about, races, judging followed by Dinner & Guest Speaker. The yard around our main pavilion and the lagoon will be the primary location of all boats for viewing. We anticipate Races at 1:00 and 3:00. Dinner at 6:00. Awards & Guest Speaker at 7:00ish.

A catered BBQ dinner will be available with a purchased ticket (anticipated price $15 per person).

Sunday, April 21st  

Mess about and depart.

David Jennings, Commodore

Sarasota Sailing Squadron

P: 941-650-7354  F: 941-866-1061

David.Jennings@FloridaMoves.com