Down The Rode – by Ty Mellott

Calendar - Down The Rode

BAY & BEYOND

OCTOBER

19 • Nautical Flea Market, Vallejo Marine Craft, 1 Harbor Way, Vallejo, CA. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 25 years of powerboat and sailboat products. Boat parts… you name it, they are likely to have it. If you would like to set up a booth to sell your spare boat parts at this event, contact Kerry at Vallejo Marine Craft 707-554-2813.

26 – 27 • Richmond Yacht Club Regatta, 37th Annual Great Pumpkin Regatta. Open to full or shorthanded crew. Collect a floating pumpkin during the race and win a pumpkin pie. Visit www.richmondyc.org for all the club and regatta details.

30 – Nov 3 • Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. One of the world’s largest boat shows features more than a billion dollars’ worth of boats, yachts, super-yachts, electronics, engines and thousands of accessories from every major marine manufacturer and builder worldwide over seven locations. Visit www.flibs.com or call 800-940-7642 for more info.

NOVEMBER

2 – 9 • 52nd Annual Marina Recreation Association Educational Conference & Trade Show, Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, CA. Members are treated to informative marine & business lectures, trade show exhibits & booths. This is an excellent venue for the marine industry to network and learn about the issues facing the marina industry today. Visit www.marina.org for more information and registration.

3 • Daylight Saving Time Ends, Remember, Fall Back…

4 – 16 • Baja Ha-Ha XXX, Cruising Rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. Visit www.baja-haha.com for all the details and information.

11 • 356th Annual North Bay Veterans Day Parade, Historic Downtown Petaluma at 9 a.m. With the help of donations this year you will still be able to see the largest and most colorful parade of its kind in Nor Cal with bands, Color Guards, decorated vehicles and more. 707-769-0429.

11 • USS Potomac 3-Hour Veteran’s Cruise on the Bay, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Enjoy a special three–hour narrated history cruise on San Francisco Bay focusing on the history of the Bay and many of the sights that will be seen during the cruise. Knowledgeable, volunteer docents will be available to answer questions and provide ship tours as requested. Box lunches and beverages will be provided. You will want to reserve early as it is a cruise that sells out quickly. Visit www.usspotomac.org for more info on the cruise and to purchase tickets. Make sure to check before planning, at the time of print the website has not been updated.

19 – Jan 5 • Pier 39 Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Holidays at the Pier, Pier 39 is spreading Holiday cheer on San Francisco’s Waterfront! The Pier is unwrapping a new nightly tree lighting experience on its 60-foot Christmas tree which will come to life at the top of each hour from 5-10 p.m., November 19, 2024, through January 5, 2025. Synchronized to Holiday music, the tree will become a kaleidoscope of swirling color, adorned with thousands of specialty lights and ornaments. These dazzling tree lighting moments take center stage all season long. Get into the spirit of the season at Pier 39 while shopping, dining, and sipping on a Holiday cocktail or a cup of hot cocoa. Visitors will also enjoy local community performances, writing letters to Santa, fun social sharing activities and receiving a “thank you” gift for bringing a toy for those less fortunate.

28 • Thanksgiving, Make new traditions by spending the day with family on a boat. Make plans accordingly If you are looking to guest dock as this is the time of year that many are moving locations from Delta to the Bay. Call on your friends and make it even better ~ Do a Raft Out. Send us a note about your experiences should you decide to make this a family tradition, as we would love to share your story.

30 • Santa’s Arrival on the Petaluma River, Santa and Mrs. Clause make a uniquely Petaluma arrival when they sail up the Petaluma River on a tugboat and dock at the River Plaza Shopping Center. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. check out visitpetaluma.com for more information.

DECEMBER

Chartered Events • USS Potomac Cruises, From Oakland’s Jack London Square. Even though the historical ship has started scheduled once again, you can charter the ship for your own private events. For more info on how you can charter this classic and historic presidential yacht, visit www.usspotomac.org and start planning your cruise into history.

7 • National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Also referred to as Pearl Harbor Day, is observed annually in the United States on December 7, to remember and honor the 2,403 Americans who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States declaring war on Japan the next day and thus entering World War II.

7 • 47th Annual Oakland-Alameda Estuary Lighted Yacht Parade, 5:30 p.m. start. Hosted by the Oakland Yacht Club and the Encinal Yacht Club. Funds raised help benefit the Oakland Firefighters Random Acts and the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Come out and participate or spectate from several of the vantage points along the estuary. More information at www.lightedyachtparade.com or call either of the hosting yacht club.

8-11 • MRAA 2024 Annual Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, Tampa, FL. For additional information and a list of this year’s speakers and scheduled events call the Marine Retailers Association of America at 708-763-9210 or visit www.mraa.com

14 • Annual Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks Display, Sausalito Waterfront – Gabrielson Park. 5 p.m. reserved seating opens, 6 p.m. Lighted-Boat Parade begins and at 7:15 p.m. the fireworks start. Make plans to attend this favorite if you are in the Bay Area this year. Contact the Sausalito Yacht Club for all the information on this holiday tradition.

21 • Winter Equinox, Marking the start of winter and yet there is still plenty of perfect boating weather days in store. This time of year, makes an enjoyable time to cruise the Bay and start thinking of summer and warmer months to come.

31 • Bay Area New Year’s Eve Parties, Most Bay Area restaurants and clubs stage their own New Year’s Eve parties, usually with live music and party favors. Make sure to inquire about your favorite hot spot and as always, party responsibly so we can all enjoy boating together in 2025.

DELTA

OCTOBER

Thursday – Saturday • Steak & Lobster Night at Orwood, Orwood Resort, 4451 Orwood Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. Come out and enjoy a 12-oz. New York steak or rib-eye and lobster, Brentwood corn, baked potato and roll for only $25.99. Beautiful Delta setting on the water and a great meal to boot. Call 925-634-2550 for more info.

11 – 13 • 76th Annual Rio Vista Bass Festival, Rio Vista, CA. With an average of 1,400 anglers entered yearly, this is truly one of the largest bass tournaments around. Festivities include a parade down Main Street, fireworks over the water on Sat., food booths, car shows, live music and other activities. For info on the entry fee and this year’s prizes visit www.bassfestival.com or contact the Rio Vista Chamber at 707-374-2700.

31 • Halloween Parties and Live Music at Local Delta Establishments, Come by car or boat to celebrate this spooky dress up evening while enjoying music and spirits. Check your local hang out for date and times.

NOVEMBER

Thursday – Saturday • Steak & Lobster Night at Orwood, Orwood Resort, 4451 Orwood Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. Come out and enjoy a 12-oz. New York steak or rib-eye and lobster, Brentwood corn, baked potato and roll for only $25.99. Beautiful Delta setting on the water and a great meal to boot. Call 925-634-2550 for more info.

3 • Daylight Saving Time Ends, Remember, Fall Back…

13 • California Delta Chambers Mixer, 6-7:30 p.m., Wimpy’s Marina. 14001 W. Walnut Grove Road, Walnut Grove, CA. Delta. Enjoy the evening as Goodie and his impressive staff go all out to accommodate. Come by car or boat and check out all that CA. Delta Chambers has to offer while making new friends. If you have questions on this event, how your business can host a mixer or to become a member of the CA. Delta Chambers, visit www.californiadelta.org or call 916-777-4041.

28 • Thanksgiving, Make new traditions by spending the day with family on a boat. Make plans accordingly if you are looking to guest dock as this is the time of year that many are moving locations from Delta to the Bay. Call on your friends and make it even better ~ Do a Raft Out. Send us a note about your experiences should you decide to make this a family tradition, as we would love to share your story.

DECEMBER

Thursday – Saturday • Steak & Lobster Night at Orwood, Orwood Resort, 4451 Orwood Road, Brentwood, CA 94513. Come out and enjoy a 12-oz. New York steak or rib-eye and lobster, Brentwood corn, baked potato and roll for only $25.99. Beautiful Delta setting on the water and a great meal to boot. Call 925-634-2550 for more info.

7 • National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, also referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day, is observed annually in the United States on December 7, to remember and honor the 2,403 Americans who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States declaring war on Japan the next day and thus entering World War II.

7 • Stockton Yacht Club’s Lynn Hahn Memorial 43rd Annual Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade, Come out and participate in this year’s event and show your support for those who have worked so extremely hard every year to make this fund-raising parade a success. $25 entry fee with all entry donations going to local charity. The parade starts at Sundown and starts in the Stockton Deep Water channel near Windmill Cove. For information view facebook.com/stocktonlightedboatparade or stocktonyachtclub.org to register. Help make 2024 the biggest one yet.

11 • Delta Chambers Mixer, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Stockton Yacht Club, Stockton, CA. Do not miss this one as the SYC always goes full out to make sure everyone has a great evening. Come out and enjoy the evening with fellow chambers members, meet new members and experience all the club and what its facilities has to offer. Come by car or boat. If you have questions on this event, how your business can host a mixer or to become a member of the Delta Chambers, visit www.californiadelta.org or call 916-777-4041.

21 • Winter Equinox, Marking the start of winter and yet there is still plenty of perfect boating weather days in store. This time of year, makes an enjoyable time to cruise the Bay and start thinking of summer and warmer months to come.

31 • New Year’s Eve Celebration at The Rusty Porthole, Boyd’s Harbor, Bethel Island. Come out and ring in the New Year with Rob and Kim. For more info contact Rob at the Rusty Porthole 925-684-3607.

31 • New Year’s Party at Windmill Cove, Come early and stay late as this is sure to be a huge party.

31 • Delta’s New Year’s Eve Parties, Most Delta restaurants and clubs stage their own New Year’s Eve parties, usually with live music and party favors. Make sure to inquire about your favorite hot spot and as always, party responsibly so we can all enjoy boating together in 2025.

ONGOING

Adventures at Sea, Imagine Life Aboard a 19th-Century Sailing Ship, Program presented at 2:15 p.m. daily. Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco. For information on this or any other program offered, call 415-561-7006.

Bay Model Tours, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA. 415-332-3871. Hours Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sun.-Mon. & holidays.

Delta Fishing Reports, weekly every Wed. at www.californiadelta.org

Red & White Fleet San Francisco Cruises, for info visit www.redandwhite.com or call 415-673-2900.

Safe Boating Courses, for information and closest place to attend a boating course please call the United States Power Squadron at 925-377-2628.

Sea Valor, a non-profit organization based upon the idea of using a sailboat, the Bay waters, and companionship to give those that may suffer from physical wounds or PTSD a chance to leave their struggles behind, if even just for the day. The goal that Eric Jones and his crew of Valor stive to achieve, is not just the one day but rather the foundation to further assist those in need to recover fully and return to a way of life prior to the individual’s stressful or traumatic event. Their ocean-themed programs and activities aim to help veterans, firefighters, health care workers, law enforcement, under-privileged youth, families of those affected by suicide and anyone else struggling with physical or emotional wounds. If you or anyone you know that might benefit from such a program, view www.seavalor.org for more information.

SS Jeremiah O’Brien WW II Liberty Ship, National Historic Landmark and Museum. Open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf. The fee is $8 adults, under six free with adult. Visit www.ssjeremiahobrien.org for cruise schedule, volunteer opportunities and overnight programs or call 415-544-0100.

USS Hornet Tours, Sea, Air and Space Museum, Alameda CA. The ship is open for daily visits and offers several specialty tours including a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. overnighter. If you wish to visit and need more info regarding general admission, specialty tours or group events, www.uss-hornet.org

USS Pampanito, Open daily at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf. Fee: Adults, $9; 6-12, $4; under six free with adults; family ticket $20. More info at 415-561-6662. Admission includes a self-guided tour.

USS Potomac History Cruise, enjoy a 2-hour narrated history cruise on S.F. Bay with knowledgeable docents. Complimentary coffee, tea and water will be available. Visit eventbrite.com or call 510-627-1215 for actual dates and reservations.

USS Potomac Year-Round Chartered Tours, Jack London Square, the museum dedicated to “Remembering Roosevelt and his Era” features FDR’s famed “Floating White House,” now a National Historic Landmark. Until further notice there is no more open seating or scheduled cruises. Events currently are on a charted basis only. Call 510-627-1215 for more information.

Vessel Safety Checks, for a courtesy examination of your vessel to verify the presence and condition of your safety equipment required by State and Federal regulations, please visit the site www.safetyseal.net or e-mail sumfun@juno.com for more information on having your vessel’s safety checked or to have representatives visit your club for group checks.

Send YOUR event info to:
DownTheRode@YachtsmanMagazine.com
The Earlier the BETTER!