The
Fourth Annual St Pete Sail Expo
Latitudes & Attitudes Cruisers Party
Well folks,
it’s all over but the hangovers. The Fourth Annual
St. Pete Party was just that. A party! It is
estimated that over 1200 people came from as far away
as Washington State for a free beer; proving once
again that cruisers will indeed go to any length when
someone else is buying!
This year nearly 150
pizzas and 186 Gallons of ice cold beer disappeared as
Eric Stone and Steel Drummer Steve Hendrickson entertained the
group for over two hours, non-stop.
This years event was
co-sponsored by Sail America and Lats & Atts. It has
become so popular Sail America has asked us to sponsor
a party at their New York Sail Expo they just
announced for next September, as well as the Oakland, California Sail
Expo in April.
The cruisers started to
surround the party tent about an hour before the show
ended. The rules were simple: be at the tent before
the show ends, and you’re in.
The line was around the
tent when it opened, and the show staff
just lifted the sides of the tents so people could go
in. At the stroke of 6pm there were tables loaded
with beer and pizza, and the music started.
There was also a free soda
fountain for those who preferred something a little
softer. Even with 1200 people in attendance, it was a
well run and very well mannered crowd. The families
with children camped on the lawn around the tent, and
the partiers gravitated into the center of the tent. Just like any cruisers gathering, everybody was
considerate of those around, and soon it was like one
big family.
Next year we are hoping they will give us a larger
tent, as it was a
little cool out, and since so many cruisers had come
up from the tropical climates in the South of
Florida. You’ll notice in the photos that folks are
all a little bundled up.
A lot of the people who chat regularly on the bulletin
board on our
website had set up a gathering area just outside the
tent, and for many this was their first meeting
face-to-face.
Next years event is already being planned. A little
bigger, but I don’t see how it can be any better. Hope to see you there!
