PLATTSBURGH — About 80 boats set sail on Lake Champlain under sunny skies Saturday morning for the 35th-annual Mayor’s Cup Regatta, kicking off another day of fun-filled festivities.
“This is a tradition,” Mayor’s Cup organizer Gail Recore said. “It’s the most exciting and most popular boat race on the lake.”
The regatta marks the highpoint of the four-day festival in Plattsburgh, and, for some, it means the summer has officially started, Recore said.
“For so many people, the Mayor’s Cup festivities signify the real, true start of summer,” she said. “It’s a very popular race and the history is what keeps us going.”
PARTICIPATION UP
Recore enjoyed seeing more folks able to participate this year, after last year’s devastating flooding hampered many people’s party plans.
“Last year all summer long everyone was focused on repairing the flood damage. But that is behind us now,” she added.
The regatta, started in 1978, attracts sailboats and sailing enthusiasts from the Northeast and Canada.
“Today turned out to be pretty good,” Recore said. “The whole weekend, so far, we have had perfect conditions.”
FUN FACES, TASTY FARE
Back on land, folks flocked to Trinity Park for food and other fun.
Children with painted faces played games at the Behavioral Health Services North Mardi Gras Kids Carnivale.
Travis James, owner of
Adirondack Tribal Art, was busy tattooing attendees with designs of their choice.
“This is our eighth year here,” he said. “We go all over the area.”
Dayvion Cruz, 6, and his Nana, Catherine Brewster, both of Plattsburgh, were finishing their lunch before crossing the street to check out the Champlain Classic Car Cruisers Car Show at City Hall Place.
“I had a lot of fun. I came to see the cars and I wanted to see the prizes and the fireworks,” Cruz said.
morso@pressrepublican.com
