3rd Annual Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta

3rd Annual

WHEELING VINTAGE RACEBOAT REGATTA

*Labor Day Weekend AUGUST 29 - 31, 2008*
	Welcome to the 3rd Annual Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta website! We are thrilled to claim the title of "Wheeling's newest tradition" and have been working dilligently since last September to make sure we keep it. Our dedicated committees have been meeting often to bring a great 2008 Regatta to the Ohio Valley. Our hope is that you will keep track of our progress on this website, and come to Heritage Port on Labor Day Weekend to see what we've put together for you!
Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center
As in our first two years, the 3rd Annual Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta will benefit the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center in Wheeling. The Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center provides a variety of services for children and adults with disabilities and developmental delays. Their dedicated therapists, staff members and volunteers work as a team each day providing the best service options to help each person reach his or her fullest potential. Easter Seals creates solutions that change lives of children and adults with disabilities or other special needs and their families. For more information, contact Easter Seals at 304-242-1390 or click here. We thank you for your support of the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta - it has helped us to donate over $3000 to Easter Seals in our first two years!

Friday August 29

Saturday August 30

Sunday August 31

Friday marks the start of Regatta weekend activities. Registration of vintage hydroplanes and raceboats begins at 8:00 AM at Heritage Port and runs through 5:00 PM. Spectators are welcome to visit as the boats come to town and the pits are organized, and the cranes that will lift the beautiful boats into the Ohio River are placed. Many drivers will be available for autographs and pictures so bring the kids and your cameras! Our vendors will also be setting up throughout the day and have been invited to open their booths if they are able; they will definitely be open for business beginning at 8:00 AM Saturday and Sunday.

Regatta weekend will be in full swing when our Opening Ceremonies take place at 9:45 AM on Saturday. An invocation will be given and the National Anthem will be sung by Linsly School student Kim Wolfe.

The first heats of vintage hydroplanes and raceboats will begin promptly at 10:00 AM and will continue throughout the day. Our Ohio River course will close from Noon until 1:00 PM for barge traffic to come through. Our second round of heats will run from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM with another river closure from 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Our third heats will begin at 4:00 PM and finish at approximately 6:00 PM. Back by popular request, the radio-controlled airplanes of the Ohio Valley Hilltoppers will perform during our river closures.

Regatta weekend continues with our Opening Ceremonies at 9:45 AM.

Our Sunday schedule is identical to Saturday:

First heats: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

River closed 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Ohio Valley Hillhoppers 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Second heats: 1:00 - 3:00 PM

River closed 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Third heats: 4:00 - 6:00 PM

WATCH FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEW REGATTA ACTIVITIES! CHECK OUR WEBSITE OFTEN!