Through trial and error, we’ve learned a few things during the past nine years about throwing big parties in Key West, Fla., with fellow organizers Greg Harris and Yvonne Aleman. Adding a live auction to benefit Samuel’s House, a local shelter for women and intact families in a safe and sober setting, helped us get buy-in from the local community. The City of Key West doesn’t just close the short but well-trafficked road dubbed Greene Street in front of the Pickles Pub’s Sandbar—yes, the host venue’s name has changed—especially for a group of out-of-town organizers, on a whim.

Closing Greene Street enables thousands of offshore racing fans and performance-boat enthusiasts to join the 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. celebration. We made the move three years ago and it significantly improved the event.

Christy Foote (from left) and Nic and Matt Shep rarely miss a Speed On The Water Key West Bash—and they’re planning to attend the November 9 happening this year. Photos by Jeff Helmkamp copyright Helmkamp Photos

Much of the credit for that goes to Race World Offshore head Larry Bleil, a local Key West shaker and mover who works tirelessly with the powers that be in his hometown.

Securing likes of the national championship-winning raceboats from MTI and Skater to “decorate” the street has added big-time curb appeal to the outdoor portion of the venue. And while the 43-foot Monster Energy/M CON Class 1 Skater Powerboats catamaran and Taylor Scism’s latest TS Motorsports MTI 390XR cat for 450R Factory Stock competition will line Greene Street this year, that still leaves plenty of usable space.

Want to see the Monster Energy/M CON Class 1 raceboat up close? Come to the Pickles Pub’s Sandbar November 9 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Photo by Brad DiMaggio copyright Scrapyard Media

So barring rainfall, the auction for the 10th annual Speed On The Water Key West Bash to benefit Samuel’s House will happen November 9 on the Monster Energy stage on Greene Street.

This will come as welcome news to anyone who’s attempted to penetrate the biomass gauntlet between the Sandbar entry and the food area near the rear bar. And once again, adult beverages also will be sold outside the venue.

The father of 16-year-old 450R Factory Stock racer Caleb Mead, Zane Mead enjoyed last year’s Speed On The Water Key West Bash with Taylor and Cherell Scism of MTI and the TS Motorsports 450R Factory Stock team.

Auctioneer extraordinaire Nolan Ferris is “moving heaven and earth” to try to be there to drive bids on just 10 items, from a commemorative Speed On The Water 10th annual Key West Bash Shot Ski painted by Stephen Miles to a John Daly Golf Tournament experience sponsored by Good Boy Vodka.

Taylor’s Scism’s latest TS Motorsports MTI 390XR catamaran for the 450R Factory Stock class will on display during the 10th annual Key West Bash. Photo by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

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