Upcoming Events in the Southeast Region

In the Southeast (Non-Race Events)

Listing Your Event in Print or Online To have your non-race event listed in print, contact edi tor@southwindsmagazine.com. Email the information (not just a link) by the first of the month preceding publication. Contact us if a little later. They must be public events that are free, or nominal low cost. Other forprofit events can be listed for $35/month up to 150 words (text and title) for first month, $25 for second month. We will print your public event for two months (rendezvous for three months). (If your for-profit event has a quarter page ad or larger, a 150-word notice in this calendar is included for two months.)

You can also list your event on our online calendar, edi tor@southwindsmagazine.com. Go to EVENTS. No charge for: (1) You have a print ad for the event in the magazine; (2) Public events, non-profit events, free events; (3) Club regattas, marine flea markets, boat shows and other similar events. Contact us for other forprofit events.

March 21-22 St. Patrick’s Regatta, Geechee Sailing Club, Savannah

George Town Cruising Regatta in the current issue. The dates February 13-27 is incorrect. Correct dates are February 26-March 11, 2020. This is a cruisers’ regatta that attracts 350-400 cruising boats. Most boats start arriving from the U.S., Canada and other countries in November and stay through March. When the actual regatta days start, the schedule includes sailboat races in Elizabeth Harbor, around Stocking Island, and to neighboring Long Island. There is a variety of on-water and on-the- beach events to capture the interest of non-racing cruisers, as well as racers: volleyball tournaments, softball, coconut harvest, bridge, Texas Hold’em poker, beach golf and much more. Opening night of the regatta is a very big event. https://www.bahamas.com/event/67th-annualnational-family-island-regatta

Premiere Sailing League March 6 thru 8 and April 3 thru 5, 2020 Plaza de Luna Park, Pensacola Marina The PSL Winter Exhibition Series will consist of a pre-series test regatta followed by four invitational regattas. Teams can charter a boat from the supplied fleet of identical RS21 keelboats for the racing which will take place on courses set just off the Pensacola waterfront at either Plaza de Luna or the nearby Vince Whibbs Community Maritime Park. Spectators can watch the teams compete in multiple exhibition stadium style races directly in front of the festive venues. Dates have been chosen to coordinate with other activities in the two parks to introduce stadium sailing to the non-sailing public.

The first PSL Winter Exhibition is scheduled for January 3-5, 2020, off Plaza de Luna at the foot of historic South Palafox Place adjacent to the Pensacola Marina. Not coincidentally, the regatta takes place during the 12th Night Mardi Gras Kick-off celebration taking place throughout downtown Pensacola. Subsequent PSL Winter Exhibitions are currently planned for January 31-February 2, March 6-8 and April 3-5, 2020. (Note final dates may be subject to change).

For each event, practice racing will be held on Friday from the Pensacola Yacht Club in the downtown Sanders Beach Community. Then on Saturday and Sunday the six to 12 teams will race short course, fast paced flights, with up to 20 races per day, to determine the winner. The racing will follow the format of the events that will be offered in 2022, the inaugural year of the full national season of the League. Spectators on shore will be treated to race analysis presented by sailing broadcaster and America’s Cup commentator Tucker Thompson, who will make stadium sailing come to life for spectators.

“Visit Pensacola” President Steve Hayes and Pensacola Sports President and CEO Ray Palmer have been onboard with the Mayor and his staff since the concept was first presented to the city and the Escambia County tourism professionals. The Pensacola/Escambia County tourism promotional arm at VisitPensacola.com, and the sports marketing team at Pensacola Sports, are committed to helping make the exhibition series, and all future events on Pensacola Bay, a success in every way.

The Premiere Sailing League USA will debut its concept for an organized, national fleet racing league during the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Md., which runs from October 10-14, 2019. Details are available at www.premieresailingleague.com.

BBQ and Blues Festival March 14, 2020, Foley, AL The annual BBQ & Blues Cook-off started in 2009 as one of the Foundation’s biggest fundraisers. It is an outdoor food and music event held in Downtown Foley’s Heritage Park the second Saturday of March. An Alabama Barbecue Association Trail and Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event, the barbecue cook-off attracts both corporate and individual teams competing for bragging rights in several award categories. Festival goers enjoy great food, popular blues bands, children’s activities, and a raffle. All proceeds support the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of event sponsors and volunteers, the impact on our community and schools increases each year.

Smokin’ in the Square March 20-22, 2020 Seville Square, Pensacola, FL 11th annual Smokin’ in the Square is a professional BBQ competition dedicated to raising money for our annually selected charities. This is a family friendly event so come on out and have some fun!!

Flora-Bama Marina’s Blessing of the Fleet March 22, 2020 Flora-Bama Marina, Perdido Key, FL

The Original German Sausage Festival March 28, 2020, Elberta, AL Join us at the German Sausage Festival for Elberta's famous "One With Two Without" German sausage & sauerkraut, plus continuous entertainment for adults and children, and over 200 arts & crafts booths. Other scrumptious foods will include German style filled cabbage, potato salad, goulash, red beans & rice, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, popcorn and peanuts. There will be baked goods as well as arts & crafts for sale at the festival. Carnival rides, polka, country, contemporary and German music will also be provided for entertainment.

Battle on the Bayou March 28, 2020 – 8AM-1PM Gulf Hills Hotel & Conference Center, Ocean Springs, MS Calling all paddlers for the largest paddling event in the entire state of Mississippi! Battle on the Bayou is for both the

experienced and novice; kayaks, canoes & stand-up paddle boards; if you enjoy the outdoors, then come and compete in a challenge that includes both speed and fun for various skill and age levels! Enjoy paddling your vessel through a 8.5-mile nature lover's paradise - Old Fort Bayou Blueway with fun as the primary focus.

2020 Waterway Village Zydeco & Crawfish Festival & 5K Run April 4, 2020 – Gulf Shores, AL

2020 Pensacola Jazz Fest April 4-5, 2020 – Seville Square, Pensacola, FL Jazz Pensacola’s Pensacola JazzFest, now in its 37th year, will be in Seville Square in downtown Pensacola. This free festival celebrates America's unique musical art form with a stunning lineup of top talent, from local jazz standouts to world-renowned acts.

Annual Crawfish Music Festival April 15-19, 2020 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS The Crawfish Music Festival parties on the front grounds of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum with the beautiful Mississippi Sound in the background. Each night of the Festival promises fun, excitement and a little something new! Featuring headline entertainment, hot boiled crawfish, and exciting mid-way rides.

C&R’s 11 Annual Crawfish Cook-off April 18, 2020 Bay Waveland, MS Bring your best crawfish recipe.

Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast Greatest Beach Party April 24-26, 2020 Flora-Bama, Perdido Key, FL The Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party is legendary. What started as just a reason to party has become one of the biggest beach parties on the coast. Those who participate in the Mullet Toss will throw a dead mullet over the state line of Florida and Alabama to see who gets the farthest. Hotel bookings are done months, if not years in advance for this event. People travel from across the globe to see what all the fuss is about here at the FloraBama. The memories are priceless.

Annual 1699 Weekend of Discovery April 25-26, 2020 Ocean Springs, MS Celebrate the unique culture and history of Ocean Springs and the surrounding Gulf Coast. Every April the Society stages a dramatic and colorful reenactment of the historic landing of Monsieur d’Iberville and his party on our shores.

Starting North of US 17 bridge, sail to Jacksonville on the St. Johns River. Hosted by The Rudder Club of Jacksonville For more information, go to www.rudderclub.com