One of the most laidback events of the high-performance boating year returns in June. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

That you just show up—rather than sign up—for the Jacksonville River Rally and Fun Run, set this year for June 8-10, says a lot about the character of the event. Of course, there are other mellow go-fast boat happenings in Florida that don’t require registration or an entry fee, such as the equally laidback Joey Gratton Memorial New Year’s Day Memorial Fun Run. But for its longtime participants, the Jacksonville event on the St. Johns River is, well, special.

Among those folks is Greg Harris. If you’re a frequent visitor to Offshoreonly.com, you know him as Cashbar, one of the site’s message board moderators. A residential real estate agent in the South Florida, Harris has attended the Jacksonville run since Bill Pyburn, Sr., a retired firefighter whose same-named son is well-known for owning and running the heck out of exquisite Skater catamarans, began organizing it. When the senior Pyburn stepped out of his role as the event’s primary organizer last year, Harris stepped in.

With a little help from Pyburn and Yvonne Aleman, Harris’ longtime girlfriend, Harris is reprising his role in Jacksonville this year. Despite “retiring” as organizer, Pyburn will be helping out—just as he did last year. And once again, they’ll be raising funds through the event for Camp Amigo, a summer program for children recovering from the emotional and physical scars of severe burn injuries.

Read More: Jacksonville Rides Again

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