PLATTSBURGH — Organizers for the Mayor’s Cup Regatta and Festival are hoping to get a big turnout for its 49th annual celebration as it returns to the City of Plattsburgh this weekend.
“Mayor’s Cup is more than just spending the evening downtown on Friday and a day at the beach or on the lake on Saturday. It’s a celebration that makes our community feel more special,” Plattsburgh Sunrise Rotary Club’s immediate past President and Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Cup Festival Wanda Carroll said at the Plattsburgh City Beach on Tuesday.
“And we invite everyone to come down. It’s going to be beautiful weather, and we’ve got a wonderful environment to enjoy the waterfront and live music.
“Support local businesses and spend the day with your community and family and friends.”
PIRATE POKER RUN/WALK
Festivities kick off Friday, July 10, downtown, starting with a 2:30 p.m. check in for the Mayor’s Cup Pirate Poker Run/Walk. Day-of registration is $40.
The event starts and finishes at 1Up Arcade & Pub and runs from 3 to 6 p.m.
Participating restaurants — 1Up Arcade & Pub, Busters Sports Bar & Grill, Hobie’s Sports Den, Olive Ridley’s and The Naked Turtle — will award prizes for the top three pirate costumes.
“They (participants) will get a card for each poker chip they collect (on the route), and those that have the best poker hand are gonna win a prize,” Jeff Prescott, of the Sunrise Rotary, said.
“It’s kind of a fun way to visit some of our local establishments, maybe have a beverage, maybe have some appetizers and show your support for the downtown restaurants.”
FUN AT THE BEACH
For beach festivities, the day kicks off at 9 a.m. for a guided session of beach yoga.
The Mayor’s Cup 5K Run/Walk starts at 9:30 a.m., with registration at 9 a.m.
Early registration is $25 and day-of is $30. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/NY/Plattsburgh/FleetFeetMayorsCup5k.
“So if you’re wondering what time to arrive, you can watch the kayak parade, which starts at around 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and then we have our yoga on the beach if you want a nice relaxing start of the day before it gets noisy and busy,” Carroll said.
“It was packed last week, so we’re expecting a nice big crowd. Get here early.
“We look forward to welcoming thousands — not hundreds, thousands — of people at the beach.
“We’ve got a whole grassy area in front of the stage with food, music, beverages, games. Bring your lawn chairs, bring your beach umbrellas, your blankets, bring the family and just come have an enjoyable day.”
For more information about Saturday’s events at the City Beach on Saturday, visit tinyurl.com/yc3zdfbm.
MAYOR’S CUP REGATTA
The Mayor’s Cup Regatta will still be the centerpiece of Saturday’s festivities at 10:30 a.m.
Those on the beach will be able to look out on the horizon and see the many sailboats participating in the annual event.
As usual, there are three main categories for sailboats — Spinnaker, Jib & Main and Portsmouth Multihull — with prizes awarded in each.
“They all seem to be quite competitive,” Kjell Dahlen, chair of the regatta, said.
The sailing courses are set the morning of the race in Cumberland Bay and end at various times throughout the afternoon Saturday.
Dahlen said Canadian participation in the regatta is still down compared to pre-COVID numbers.
“The number of Canadians is down, still not up to what it was prior to COVID and the border issue, but picking up some. And so far, the registration is about the same as it was last year,” Dahlen said.
“There’s a big group … coming up from Albany every year, and some of them camp here at the campground for a week … The others generally are from Vermont and from Canada. Most of the boats come from very far away.”
For more information and to register for the regatta, visit tinyurl.com/5n6j2vyd.
Those registered will automatically be entered in the Valcour Race on Sunday morning.
City Mayor Wendell Hughes said the Plattsburgh City Beach is the most beautiful freshwater beach in America, and he hopes to see a good turnout this weekend.
“It’s been packed every day here this week, and I just want to continue that momentum,” Hughes said.