Fall Festival at Pier Park

On Saturday October 4th from 10 am until 2 pm at the Pier Park Amphitheatre at Aaron Bessant Park, Woodlawn United Methodist Church is putting on a fall festival for all to enjoy. There will be live music, carnival games, ten inflatables, train ride, plasma cars, stilt walkers, balloon makers, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, hotdogs, chips, barnyard olympics and more.

The cool part is that everything is free. Well, almost everything. The only thing that you’d have to pay for is a pumpkin, should you decide to support the annual youth Pumpkin Patch fundraiser.

This sounds like a ton of fun, everyone should check it out with their kids.

Again:

Fall Festival
Pier Park – Aaron Bessant Park
October 4th
10am – 2pm

Tootsies in Pier Park this weekend – John Stone

Friday September 26th, John Stone will be performing at Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater in Pier Park. Stone is a Tootsies recording artist playing his “Baby Come Back” tour.

This concert is benefitting the Foundation for Breast Cancer and will feature special guest John Conlee, Steven West and Leslie Craig.

Gates open at 7pm and tickets are on sale for $12 at Tootsies in Pier Park, Tootsies in Nashville or online at www.Tootsies.net.

SuperBoat Race on Panama City Beach

Pier Pressure: Super Boat National Finals Championship Race

Panama City Beach, Fl, September 12, 2008: The Bay Area Sports Association, Inc. in cooperation with Super Boat International Productions, Inc. has announced the final schedule of events for the upcoming 3rd Annual Panama City Beach SBIP/APBA Offshore Super Boat Florida/National Championship Race on October 3, 4, & 5th, 2008. The winning Teams from this SBIP/APBA National Final Race will compete in Key West, Florida at the Super Boat World Championships, November 2 -9, 2008. See http://www.superboat.com for the most up-to-date schedule of events, Race Team members, Official Offshore Race Course Map and other Race Weekend on Panama City Beach information.

This year’s corporate sponsors are Regions Bank, Pier Park, Sharky’s Seafood Restaurant, Origin at the Towne of Seahaven, Margaritaville and Marina Landing Condominiums. Community partners are The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce, the City of Panama City Beach, the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sports Marketing and the Downtown Improvement Board’s Oktoberfest.

This year, twenty three (23) Super Boats from all over the United States qualified for the SBIP/APBA Offshore Super Boat Florida/National Championship Race and their boats, their owners and the race teams will be at Race Village, which is being set up in Pier Park East on Panama City Beach. The Championship Race, for the United States National Title, will be run on Sunday, October 5th between the M.B. Miller County Pier at ALF Coleman Road and the City of Panama City Beach Dan Russell City Pier at Pier Park on the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 300 yards offshore. Although both Gulf piers are currently under construction, the construction activity will not interfere with the race or spectator’s viewing. Super Boat speeds of over 150 miles per hour could be reached during the race.

Super Boats will maneuvered the 6 mile rectangular Official Offshore Race Course between the Dan Russell City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier, on Sunday, October 5th starting at 12:00 noon, giving land and sea spectators a spectacular view of the high powered machines as they pass back and forth between the two Gulf piers. The Panama City Beach race is the last on the SBIP/APBA Offshore National Race Circuit qualifying Race Teams for the World Championships in Key West, Florida.

Super Boat Racing is not just about sleek, colorful and fast racing machines, but about the thrill seeking men and women who get behind the helm of the offshore Super Boats. Boat length ranges from 24 to 50 feet in length and are powered by automotive or turbine engines up to.4,800 horsepower. The race fans will get to see the nation’s biggest, fastest offshore powerboats and top drivers race toward a National Championship title. Super Boats will be on display during the week at various Regions Bank locations, Pier Park and at the Downtown Improvement Board’s Oktoberfest, October 3rd, Friday evening, in beautiful downtown Panama City.

This year, the Dry Pit Area for these offshore Super Boats will be at Race Village in Pier Park, and will be open FREE to spectators to see the boats and teams up close on Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday, October 3rd: Friday evening the Mayor’s Welcome Party takes place at 7:00 pm at Sharky’s Seafood Restaurant on Front Beach Road and race fans, friends, tourist and locals are encouraged to join Mayor Gayle Obsert, Mayor of the City of Panama City Beach, in officially welcoming the Super Boat Race Teams and their out of town fans to the Beach. The public is invited and no reservations are necessary.

On Saturday, October 4th, the Dry Pit Area at Race Village in Pier Park will be open. The Public is invited to come and see the boats, talk with the Race Team members and view all their high speed equipment that will be on display in Pier Park. Race Village is open FREE to the public. On Saturday afternoon, various Super Boats will be in the water practicing out in the Gulf of Mexico near the east end of the Beach from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. That evening at 7:00 pm the Racer’s Party takes place at Margaritaville at Pier Park and the general public is encouraged to attend to meet and socializing with the Super Boat Racers, the Super Boat Owners, the Race Team Members and their families. Reservations are not necessary.

On Sunday, October 5th the St. Andrews Bay Super Boat Parade begins at 11:00 am on St. Andrews Bay, from the marina at Marina Landing Condominiums, located on the northwest side of the Hathaway Bridge, U.S. Highway 98, and will cruise to the Gulf of Mexico. At 12:00 noon the race begins, the Official Start and Finish Line will be offshore of Sharky’s Seafood Restaurant on Front Beach Road. Super Boats will be racing 300 yards offshore in a 6 mile rectangular course between the County Pier at ALF Coleman Road and the Panama City Beach Pier at Pier Park. All Super Boat races are expected to be completed by 2:00 pm. So come early so that you don’t miss any of the racing action. There will be a SBIP/APBA Offshore Official Awards Ceremony for the Super Boat winning Racers and their Team at 4:00 pm at Sharky’s Seafood Restaurant and the public is invited.

The best FREE spectator viewing for Race Day on Sunday will be from the Beach’s shoreline at Public Beach Accesses # 43 through # 58 along Front Beach Road and FREE parking will be available along 3 miles of Front Beach Road at the M.B. Miller County Pier to Pier Park. Additional spectator viewing will be at various participating Gulf front restaurants, motels and condominiums along Front Beach Road.

In addition to welcoming the general public to view the Race from their establishment, there will be special VIP Spectator Seating on Race Day, Sunday, for all active military, enlisted and officers, and their families at Pier Park’s Gulf front restaurant Margaritaville. Arrive early for the best seats and dining tables.

Offshore viewing the Sunday Race in personal pleasure boats and other charter boats is allowed from a special 3 mile long Offshore Boat Spectator Area, designated south of the Official Offshore Race Course in the Gulf of Mexico about 300 yards offshore between the two piers. See http://www.superboat.com website for the exact Official Offshore Race Course and Spectator Map.

Super Boats are some of the fastest and largest offshore Powerboats in the world. With a maximum length of 50 feet, F-16 jet canopies and equipped with up to four engines producing more than 4,800 horsepower, the boats can reach record breaking speeds upwards of 200 mph.

Imposing as they may appear, they are finely tuned machines incorporating the most advanced space age technology. They provide the ideal platform for the installation and testing of high speed equipment under some of the most punishing conditions possible.

The boat classes that race in the SBIP/APBA Official Super Boat National Circuit are Super Boat Unlimited, Super Boat Vee Unlimited, Super Boat, Super Cat, Super Vee, Super Boat Vee Limited, Turbine, Super Boat Stock (S), and Manufacture Production: P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5.

The American Power Boat Association (APBA) was founded in 1903 and
is the authority for U.I.M. (Union Internationale Motonautique) approved powerboat racing in the United States. http://www.apba-racing.com

Super Boat International Productions, Inc (SBIP) was founded by John Carbonell in 1991. Carbonell has 32 years in Powerboat promotions and 10 years experience racing powerboats. SBIP holds a ten year license from the APBA Offshore and will host 10 offshore race events in the United States during the 2008 SBIP/APBA Official Super Boat National Racing Circuit. http://www.superboat.com

The Bay Area Sports Association, Inc. (not for profit) (BASA) is a membership association formed by area local businessmen and women whose mission is to encourage, support and promote recreation, amateur, Olympic and professional sports activities within the Greater Panama City area. Such sports activities are to provide for the entertainment and betterment of both residents and visitors to enjoy as participants, observers or fans. The BASA supports local sporting events like the 3rd Annual Panama City Beach SBIP/APBA Super Boat Florida/National Championship Race in order to raise needed money for youth sports in Bay County. A portion of all food and beverage sales on Sunday’s Race Day at participating Panama City Beach restaurants such as Sharky’s and at Pier Park- Margaritaville be donated to BASA. BASA Membership is open to the public. http://www.bayareasportsassociation.org
For more information on this fun weekend, visit http://www.superboat.com

Oktoberfest at Hofbrau Beer Garden

Kicking off Bike Week and celebrating the fall season, Oktoberfest has come to Panama City Beach at Pier Park’s Hofbrau Beer Garden.

The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich, Germany in the year 1810 in honor of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese. The festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended on October 17th. This was the first time that the public was ever invited to celebrate a royal wedding.

The people of Bavaria had such a good time that the King repeated the festival annually and extended the length of the festival. Today Munich Oktoberfest stretches from the last two weeks of September through the first weekend of October and draws 6.5 million visitors.

Specials include:

Spanferkel (Pig Roast) – with Sauerkraut, Potato Salad & Rye Bread – $10.95

Grill Hendl (Roast) Chicken – with Sauerkraut, Potato Salad & Rye Bread – $9.95

Sauerbraten – Spatzle, Red Cabbage & Rye Bread – $8.95

Brat Platter – A pile of Bavarian Dongs, Red Cabbage & Rye Bread – $8.95

All specials served all day, every day September 19th through October 19th.

Join Hofbrau Garden in Pier Park for Oktoberfest this year. See below for a full schedule of events.

Friday, September 19th

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday, September 20th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday, September 21st

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Thursday September 25th

3pm til 6pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Friday September 26th

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday September 27th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday September 28th

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

12pm til 2:30pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Thursday October 2nd

3pm til 6pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Friday October 3rd

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday October 4th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday October 5th

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

12pm til 2:30pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Thursday October 9th

3pm til 6pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Friday October 10th

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday October 11th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday October 12th

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

12pm til 2:30pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Thursday October 16th

3pm til 6pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

6pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Friday October 17th

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

6pm Oktoberfest Opening Keg Tapping – Join us as we tap the wooden keg in the Beer Garden. Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

7pm til 12am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Saturday October 18th

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

3pm til 7pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

7pm til 1am Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Sunday October 19th

10am til 3pm Sunday Brunch Specials – Join us in the beer hall for our delicious Sunday brunch specials

12pm til 2:30pm Beatrice and Derrol – Straight from Bavaria. Enjoy traditional German music and singing.

2pm Oktoberfest Keg Tapping -Join us as we tap the wooden keg. Celebrate Oktoberfest with FREE BEER while it lasts.

2:30pm til 8:30pm Hochsteirer – Direct from Europe. experience this traditional musical and culture show.

Pier Park is Biker Friendly

I’ve been asked by my friends at Pier Park to stress that Pier Park is indeed Biker Friendly this weekend! The last bike week in May of this year, there was some confusion and no one, including bikers were permitted to travel down the main boardwalk seciton of Pier Park. This weekend, that is totally not the case.

Pier Park, a 1 million square feet retail shopping adventure on Panama City Beach will play host to several special events this weekend catering to bikers, including a bike show. Many retailers and restaurants will have specials and all welcome bikers.

I everyone has an awesome time, and ride safe!

Don’t forget to sign up on our Twitter page for live updates on everything that is going to happen this week.

Bike Week on Panama City Beach

Get your ears ready, because this weekend is going to be a loud one. Starting today, we’ll begin to see bikers from around the country roar in on a variety of types of motorcycles, but mostly Harleys. Some are quite, but most are very loud. At one point, I couldn’t stand the noise, or all the bikers swarming our little town, but having joined the ranks as a “rider”, it is a little easier for me to cope with. Of course, the huge impact it has on our tourism is a huge plus too!

I won’t mention the big name that is behind the event this weekend as they are threatening a lawsuit to everyone that uses their name without permission (if you know Kelly and The Healers, just ask Kelly), but I’m sure you will have no problem finding information about their venues as they’ve actually done a pretty good job circulating information and have a good web site.

I will say that I’m a part of a group that is running a promotion of the Bike Week called Tropic Thunder Events. We are working with venues and vendors that did not qualify to participate in the past with the other un-named promoter, and we are very proud to be part in this growing boost to our local tourism community.

There will be tons to do for locals and tourist, bikers and non-bikers alike. It will be a fun week and as usual, you can find updates as to what is happening here at pcbdaily all week long.

Don’t forget to join our Twitter page to get live updates as they happen!

Schooners Lobster Festival and Tournament

19th Annual Lobster Festival & Tournament planned for Sept. 18, 19, 20 & 21st

Panama City Beach, FL – Schooners, The Last Local Beach Club, will host the 19th Annual Lobster Festival & Tournament again this year! The event, which has grown to be the biggest 4 day Lobster Festival in Florida will be held on September 18, 19, 20 & 21. The first tournament was held in the fall of 1989; today, it draws divers and enthusiasts all over the country!

Divers will have the opportunity to compete in a variety of categories including Spiny Lobster, Big 6 and Shovelnose, with cash prizes totaling $5000.00. Weigh-ins will be from 3-8pm on Saturday and Noon-3pm on Sunday.

The Lobster Feast will begin at Noon on Sunday and spectators will get a chance to taste the catch for themselves! Fresh local lobster will be served grilled, fried, steamed, and chilled.
The final awards ceremony and the Huge Auction will begin Sunday at 4pm. Lobsters, incredible merchandise and unique packages donated by local businesses are up for bid.

Otherwise known as “Lobsterfest”, the Annual Lobster Festival & Tournament has experienced changes over the years. Ten years ago, a family oriented Sand Sculpting Contest was added to the menu. This year, Sand sculptors Suzanne Altmare and Meredith Corson of Sanding Ovations return to WOW the crowds with their spectacular sculptures. Between the two of them, they have won or placed in every major competition in the country. Troy Syfrett and the Nashville Mafia, The Eric Heatherly Band and Stainless Steel will entertain the crowds with their own special brand of great dance music.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Florida Aquatic & Marine Institute (FAMI) and the Children’s Home Society of Florida

“This event will provide much needed help to the Children’s Home Society, a program that works to develop, restore and strengthen families. They help loving people become parents through their adoption and foster care programs. They enable families to stay together through their child abuse prevention programs. Along with helping FAMI who’s three main purposes are: Habitat development, fisheries research and environmental education for elementary education for elementary age children.”

TDC Needs New Formula for Special Events

Special events at the beach are wonderful for Bay County. The biggest events, Spring Break and Thunder Beach, drive huge amounts of tourists to Panama City Beach.

Smaller events bring in good revenue for the bed tax collectors (and beneficiaries), such as the Ironman and Gulf Coast Triathlons, Emerald Coast Cruizin’ car show, and hopefully, the new Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine, & Music Festival.

There are a few other small events, but we need many more small and large in order for the tourism economy to thrive year-round. It is — and should be — a top priority for the TDC/CVB to enable and promote special events.

But with special events come special interests, and special interests have no place in our government spending decisions.

Therefore, in order for the TDC to be fair to all event planners, promoters, the bed tax collectors (and beneficiaries), and the citizens of Bay County, they must avoid any conflict of special interests.

Here are a few ways to make this happen:

1. Put bed tax dollars into infrastructure that holds special events, such as stages, fairgrounds, parking lots, ball fields and other outdoor venues. Make it a great place for a promoter to put on an event and succeed.

2. Provide additional support for safety and trash-control during events.

3. Maintain infrastructure.

4. Instead of paying to promote events to tourists, promote Panama City Beach to potential event promoters.

5. Provide marketing research staff to survey event attendees. This tells the individual businesses which events bring what tourists, and helps them do their own marketing/advertising/event sponsorships accordingly.

6. Provide Public Relations support and website exposure for all events.

There! Good! No complaints from anyone.

Hopefully bed tax collectors will agree there needs to be a new policy. But whether you do or not, here are some clear examples of what has happened recently to prove why it is unwise for the TDC to put funding into promoters’ pockets.

1. There is a process in place that a promoter must go through to be considered for TDC event funding. As pointed out in recent PCBDaily.com articles, that policy has not been followed. Therefore, it’s unfair to some, very fair to others and no fair to the rest of us.

2. The promoters are sometimes more shifty than thrifty. Some claim they don’t need TDC money, then get it anyway. Some disappear. Some make promises they have no intention of keeping. It’s no fun watching – or participating in – a government body that must make spending decisions on people / events that really do not have to be accountable.

3. Events can fail. The Circus by the Sea proposal was unique in that they approached the TDC for a $100K “loan” that would be paid back upon success. Most everyone on the TDC and in the business community, including myself, was certain the circus would be a success. Unfortunately it was not. That money is gone, unless the Circus by the Sea miraculously figures out how to market its event and fill its tent. We would have been better off buying 100,000 Lotto tickets.

Hey… Lotto Tickets with Bed Tax Dollars! Not a bad idea compared to the way Special Event money has been handed out lately.

Powerboats to Shred Panama City Beach

We asked for cool events, and we’re getting them. Actually, this has been here before, and I (for some reason) was unable to make it. I’ll be there this year, giving you as much coverage as possible. This is one of the things that makes our area SWEET! Who doesn’t like ridiculous power mated with lightweight boats that sometimes fly out of the water traveling 200 mph? Press release below:

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (September 16, 2008) – The tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico make way for high-speed adventure for the nation’s largest powerboat race. Catch the 2008 Super Boat National and Florida Championship Race, Fri., Oct. 3 – Sun., Oct. 5, in Panama City Beach, Fla. You’ll see the biggest, fastest powerboats and top drivers in the U.S. race to claim the National Championship title.

This premier super boat event draws the 23 leading teams across the country for a six-mile race through emerald-green seas at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. With boat parades, awards, parties and more, it’s an action-packed weekend for the entire family.

The Super Boat National and Florida Championship Race is the culmination of the Super Boat Grand Prix national series. Winning teams will compete for the international title in the Super Boat World Championships, Nov. 2 – 9, 2008, in Key West, Fla.

The Super Boat Grand Prix is sanctioned by Super Boat International Productions, Inc., as the leading series in the extreme sport of professional powerboat racing. Now in its 18th year, the Grand Prix attracts top-ranking competitors and enthusiasts across the country for 10 events along America’s East Coast, from Miami Beach to the Hudson River.

In Panama City Beach, the National and Florida Championship Race promises to get the heart pumping during three days of high-speed fun (see schedule below for days, times and locations). Land lovers will enjoy plenty of onshore action. Take an up-close look at some of the world’s fastest and largest powerboats, and meet their owners and racing teams in the Dry Pit Area of the Race Village, located in Pier Park on Front Beach Road in the center of town. The Mayor’s Welcome Party kicks off the event festivities, Fri. 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, all competition boats will begin the entry into the water starting at 11:00 a.m. from the marina at Marina Landing Condominiums on the northwest side of St. Andrews Bay and cruises out to the Gulf of Mexico.

On Sunday, spectators line the pristine shoreline of Panama City Beach for prime viewing of the main racing events, starting at 12:00 noon. Competitors will maneuver the six-mile rectangular Official Offshore Race Course between the Dan Russell City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier. During the event, the 50-foot Super Boats slice across the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, propelled by up to four engines that allow them to reach speeds upwards of 200 miles per hour in less than a minute. The winners of each race will go on to compete for the international title in the world’s largest powerboat race, the 2007 World Championship Race.

The 2008 Super Boat National and Florida Championship Race event is presented by the Bay Area Sports Association, Inc. (BASA). A collaboration of local community and corporate partnerships, the not-for-profit organization was established to encourage, support and promote recreational, amateur, Olympic and professional sports activities within the Greater Panama City area. BASA also supports charitable initiatives through local events to raise funds for youth sports in Bay County. In line with this mission, participating Panama City Beach restaurants will donate ten percent of all food and beverage sales on Sunday’s Race Day to the association.

A full schedule of Super Boat National and Florida Championship Race activities can be found online at http://www.superboat.com and as listed below:

Panama City Beach Event Schedule
Friday, October 3, 2008
• 9:00am – 5:00pm – Registration/Information at Race Village, Pier Park East
• 7:00pm – Mayor’s Welcome Party at Sharky’s Seafood Restaurant, Front Beach Road

Saturday, October 4, 2008
• 9:00am – Mandatory Drivers’ Meeting at Pier Park East
• 10:00am – 5:00pm – Registration/Information at Race Village, Pier Park East
• 9:00am – 5:00pm – Dry Pits at Pier Park East
• 10:00am – 5:00pm – Testing & Launching, location TBA
• 10:00am – 5:00pm – Practice runs on official offshore course, Front Beach Road between County Pier and City Pier
• 7:00pm – 9:00pm – Racers’ Party at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant, Pier Park

Sunday, October 5, 2008
• 7:30am – 8:30am – Physicals: Pier Park East
• 8:00am – 5:00pm – Launching/ Recovery, location TBA
• 9:00am – Mandatory Drivers’ Meeting at Pier Park East
• 10:00am – Pilots Briefing at Panama City – Bay County International Airport
• 11:00am – Wet Pits. All boats will enter the water at Marina Landing Condominiums on Northwest side of Hathaway Bridge/U.S. Hwy 98, St. Andrews Bay.
• 12:00pm – Start of Race, start and finish line at Sharky’s Seafood Restaurant, Front Beach Road
• 5:00pm – Awards Ceremony at Sharky’s Seafood Restaurant, Front Beach Road

Grand Lagoon National Cancelled for this year

Well, I hope this is not a sign for times to come for Bill Spann and his new fishing tournament, the Grand Lagoon National. The first year out of the hole the competition was postponed, postponed again, and now totally cancelled all together.

Regardless of what some told me, I truly thought it was to be a good addition to this years Panama City Beach festivities. With Spann’s experience, and after a couple of conversations with him, it was very apparent that this was not his first rodeo. He has been doing this very type of event for years, and has always put on a good show.

This year, so far, has certainly not been without peril, with regards to the weather. With 6 tropical storms and/or hurricanes to have come into our Gulf waters this hurricane season, planning anything for our area is challenging at best. Jack Bishop remarked at the last TDC meeting that it is always risky planning event during this time of year. The last couple years have been very calm, but this year has been very active. We can only speculate what is to come next year.

So at this point, what comes of the $50,000 the TDC gave The Grand Lagoon National to help it “get off the ground”? That money was to be an “investment” that had some promise of return with a potential of profit. I’m sure that money has been spent as some festivities did take place, but no revenue was generated through registration fees. Does the TDC stand to recover that money next year? Will the Grand Lagoon National receive $50,000 next year as allocated in the FY2008-2009 budget?