On Friday, October 13, the local yachting community is invited to Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard to race and/or spectate at the Shipyard’s annual “Pumpkin Regatta” to raise funds for the Friends of Newport Skatepark in Newport, RI from 4:00-7:00pm. Food from Wally’s Wieners will be served along with beverages thanks to sponsors RC Marine Electric, SKYLINK Tek, Newport Yacht Builders, Casey’s Oil & Propane, al fresco Composites, Itchiban Yacht Painters, and Newport Rigging Group.

Started more than ten years ago, the Shipyard Pumpkin Regatta is an annual tradition and fund-raiser with all proceeds given to a different organization each year. Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard employees organize the annual event by painting three fiberglass pumpkins, setting up food and beverages for all to enjoy, and asking local companies to donate items for a silent auction. “Our annual Pumpkin Regatta is a favorite event for our yacht captains and crew who enjoy the camaraderie of racing against each other for the fastest time in our bright orange pumpkins,” said Michael Millerick, General Manager of Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard.

“This is one of our last events at the Shipyard before our captains and crew head south for the winter and we can’t think of a better way to have fun and raise money for a very worthy cause,” Millerick continued. “Last year we had over 125 people join us to either race or cheer on fellow captains and yacht crew, along with local residents and members of the yachting community, to help us raise over $4,400 for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community center.” Millerick said.

Pumpkin Regatta 2023 will benefit Friends of Newport Skatepark. Come race or spectate! Register here: https://www.newportshipyard.com/events/pumpkinregatta-2023

This year several teams are planning to participate in the relay-style race across the Shipyard’s ‘Main Street’ basin for bragging rights as the fastest team. Teams are allowed to race more than once to best their own time, and there will be prizes for fastest team & best costumes. “The energy around the Pumpkin Regatta is always lighthearted and festive, which is a nice outlet for captains and crew who are often working long days getting ready for their return to warmer climates,” continued Millerick. “We hope to keep this tradition going for many years to come.”

“Friends of Newport Skatepark (FONS) is so excited to be a part of this year’s Pumpkin Regatta,” said FONS advisor Danielle Abbruzzi. “We are very thankful for this opportunity and moments like this are exactly what FONS needs,” Abbruzzi continued. Friends of Newport Skatepark is a public charity organized for the purpose of advocating, designing, and fundraising for Newport’s skatepark within walking distance of many residential neighborhoods in Newport’s north end. It is the goal of FONS to privately raise $1,000,000 for the construction of the skatepark. More information can be found on their website: https://www.friendsofnewportskatepark.com

Paddlers and spectators are asked to pay $25 each to enter and there will also be a raffle, silent auction and direct donation opportunities available during the event.

Local Newport businesses who have generously donated products and overnight stays for the silent auction and raffle include: The Brenton Hotel; CK Bradley; Clarke Cooke House; Gold’s Wine and Spirits; Jey’s Auto Detailing; Newport Marriott; Monelle Newport; Newport Mansions; Onne van der Wal Photography & Video; and Safe Harbor Marinas. “A big thanks to our donors and sponsors who are helping to make this annual event a huge success,” Millerick concluded.

For more information, contact: Veronica Brown, 401-855-0945 or email: vbrown@shmarinas.com. Click here to register or to make a donation to Friends of Newport Skatepark: https://www.newportshipyard.com/events/pumpkinregatta-2023

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About Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard: Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard is one of the most popular and recommended shipyards in the United States. The full-service marina and shipyard has over 3,500 linear feet of dock space that can accommodate yachts longer than 300 feet. Its amenities include a dockside café, ship store, fitness center, and marina vehicles. Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard is host to many prestigious yachting events including the Newport Charter Yacht Show, Gosling’s Rum Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard Crew Party for the biennial Newport to Bermuda Race, Safe Harbor Race Weekend, Newport Yacht Rendezvous benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, and Newport Brokerage Boat show. For more information, visit: www.shmarinas.com

SAFE HARBOR NEWPORT SHIPYARD TO HOST ANNUAL ‘PUMPKIN REGATTA’ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, TO BENEFIT FRIENDS OF NEWPORT SKATEPARK