Given that 120 boats turned out for the inaugural Sarasota Blast On The Bay Fun Run in punishing late-June heat, the first Boo On The Bay Poker Chip Fun Run set for October 24 and based out of the Southwest Florida city could see an even larger turnout. And that’s what organizers Lucy Nicandri, Simon Williams and Dee Babcock are hoping for as the prior event raised $50,000 for Suncoast Charities For Children.

Slated for late October, the Boo On Bay Fun Run will be the second event of its kind this year to benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. Photo from the 2020 Sarasota Blast On The Bay Fun Run by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

Once again, the nonprofit charity will be beneficiary of the Sarasota Bay happening. Owned by Williams, Shore Thing Storage is returning as the event’s presenting sponsor.

“We received a lot of positive feedback after our inaugural  Blast On The Bay Fun Run back in June,” said Nicandri, who in addition to serving as the executive director for Suncoast Charities for Children in the lead organizer for the annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival. “It was a financial success for Suncoast Charities for Children, so several sponsors and participants immediately asked if we would consider holding another fun run to help the charity. So here we are with Boo Blast On The Bay featuring a Halloween holiday twist.”

The boat-and-captain registration fee for the event is $100. Additional passengers are $50 per person. Both include breakfast, lunch and a poker hand. (The captain’s fee also includes an event T-shirt.)

Registration for the run opened yesterday.

“I especially want to thank Simon Williams, who immediately  jumped on board again as our presenting sponsor with Shore Thing Storage when he heard the idea,” said Nicandri. “Simon and Dee Babcock, his girlfriend, are honorary co-chairs for the event. So far, our other sponsors include Bayfront Yachtworks and Marina Jacks, (Nor-Tech dealer) Erickson Marine, The Westin and Tarpon Bay Grill, Evie’s at Spanish Point—and Speed On The Water is again our official media partner.”

The cancelled-in-2020 Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix will return next year. The two fun run fundraisers also will come back in 2021, according to Nicandri.

“Our future plans include holding our second Blast On The Bay Fun Run next year on June 18-19 and continuing with a smaller fun run event in the fall of next year,” she said.

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