Racing at last year's Charlotte Harbor Super Boat Grand Prix. ( Photo/ Matt Houston )
The inaugural Englewood Beach Waterfest is, technically, a month-long series of fun events ranging from movie nights to paddleboard races, but the next four days is the heart-pounding, breathtaking heart of it all. Yes, it's powerboats, screaming across the water off Englewood Beach at speeds over 200 miles per hour, from massive superboats to smaller classes. Like Sarasota's Power Boat Grand Prix, there will be plenty of partying on the beach on race days, a central village where fans can congregate and look at the boats, as well as some side events like local bands, cardboard boat races, a bikini contest and a concert by national country music star Keith Anderson.
In short, Englewood will be shaking off its sleepy and serene facade for a four day party and jet-powered nautical excitement. We'll be there.
Partying on Englewood Beach at last year's Charlotte Harbor Super Boat Grand Prix. ( Photo/ Matt Houston )
ENGLEWOOD BEACH WATERFEST
Thursday-Sunday; englewoodbeachwaterfest.com
OPA/APBA Offshore World Championship
Multiple classes of offshore power boats will take to the waters off Englewood Beach on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with speeds in excess of 200 mph. Friday is the National Championship day, while Sunday features the World Championships.
Racing is scheduled to take start at noon on Friday and Sunday, with Saturday slated as a practice day.
Bud Light Race Village
Open Thursday-Sunday, the Village is where you can visit vendors, see the boats in the wet and dry pits, sample food and drink and experience live entertainment at the main destination for race fans.
Friday: Clydesdales Single Hitch (all day), Copperhead (3:30 p.m.)
Saturday: Tucker Hill (noon), Maiden Cane (3:30 p.m.), Clydesdales Single Hitch (afternoon)
Race Boat Parade & Block Party
A parade of superboats will wend its way down Dearborn Street, along with the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales and other local groups, followed by a block party featuring live music, food, drink and other fun.
5-9 p.m. Thursday; Dearborn Street
Ice cream? Sure! ( Photo/ Matt Houston )
Hooters Swimsuit Contest
An Englewood bikini contest may seem like it will be as exciting as some here in Sarasota, but with Hooter's sponsoring the affair the event will likely be pretty competitive.
2:30 p.m. Saturday; Bud Light Race Village
Soggy Bottom Cardboard Boat Regatta
Grab those Amazon boxes and a roll of duct tape and create your own personal watercraft to race in the Soggy Bottom. It's just like the powerboat races, except much slower, uglier and a little more prone to sinking.
10 a.m. Saturday; Indian Mound Park, 210 Winson Ave., Englewood; free for 10 and under, $25 for ages 11-15, $35 for over 15
Keith Anderson
The country music star has co-written hits for other artists - like the Big & Rich hit "Lost In This Moment" or the Grammy-nominated "Beer Run" for Garth Brooks - but he's also had two successful albums of his own, as well as last year's single "I'll Bring The Music." This is a Waterfest-sponsored concert.
6 p.m. Saturday; Englewood Event Center, 3069 S. McCall Road, Sarasota; $15-$30; englewoodeventcenter.com
