Latest news with #Sailfest
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why this weekend's Sailfest could be a last hurrah for Great Salt Lake boaters — for now
Sailfest is a Great Salt Lake tradition, bringing all types of groups together for a day of music, food, and of course, boating on the lake. '(It's) a community celebration of the Great Salt Lake,' said Jake Dreyfous, managing director of Grow the Flow, a nonprofit initiative seeking to preserve the lake, which now co-organizes the event alongside the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club. Low lake levels prevented the event — or any boating for that matter — for several years, but that changed when back-to-back above-normal snowpack years brought levels up to a five-year high and the event back from a five-year hiatus in 2024. Those gains will allow the event to take place again this weekend at Great Salt Lake State Park and Marina, 13312 W. 1075 South. A 'family-friendly day' featuring cardboard boat racing, kayaking and a sailing regatta, along with live music, food trucks, art workshops and educational workshops, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. However, organizers say Saturday's event could be the last of its kind for the foreseeable future due to new lake trends. The Great Salt Lake's southern arm is listed at 4,193.2 feet elevation after likely peaking in May, while its northern arm is listed at 4,192.5 feet elevation, per federal data. The lake is unlikely to gain much more since nearly all of the lake's snowpack has already melted, meaning that its highest point this year is all but certain to be 2 feet below last year's peak. The lake is 'noticeably lower' and bad enough that some of the larger boats are stuck at Great Salt Lake Marina, Dreyfous said. Boats were hauled out of the marina when lake levels began to decline a few years ago, reaching an all-time low in 2022. The lake lost 3 feet in elevation last year from a combination of above-normal heat and below-normal precipitation. With long-range forecasts suggesting that similar conditions are likely to prevail this summer, experts warn that the lake could experience similar declines over the next few months. 'We had a little bit of a breathing (room) and it's back to a little bit of a nervous feeling,' said Joel Williams, deputy director of the Utah Division of Water Resources, as he briefed state lawmakers on the situation last month. Boats may have to be plucked out of the marina if history repeats itself. All of that is to say, the lake may not be boatable again soon — a reality that will be present at this year's Sailfest. Some activities will center around updates on the lake's health and ways to improve water conservation, helping get more water to the lake. The ultimate goal, Dreyfous said, is making sure that Saturday's event isn't the last Sailfest ever. 'We're inviting people to come and celebrate Great Salt Lake, but also bear witness to its decline,' he said. 'Until we can get the lake back to a healthy level, this is likely the last opportunity and the last year for Sailfest, and more specifically, sailing on the lake. That puts a 150-year history of the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club at risk — until we can get the lake back to a healthy level.' Saturday's event is free to the public, but visitors must still pay the state park entry fee if they park at the marina. The fees are $10 per vehicle or $5 for senior citizens, and $2 per walk-in or bike. Organizers will operate a free shuttle service from noon to 5 p.m. for anyone who chooses to park at The Great Saltair instead, Dreyfous said. Visitors can also register to win prizes at the event. Raffle prizes include ski passes, spa treatments, sailing lessons and a fly-fishing trip.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sailfest, a New London tradition for 45 years, cancelled due to budget challenges
NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) — New London's premier summertime event is going to look a bit different this year. The food, the rides, the games. That was all part of Sailfest for the last 45 years. But according to the event organizer, Barbara Neff, the waterfront festival which drew hundreds of thousands to downtown New London has been cancelled. 'It's more like it was just overwhelming to come down for me,' said New London resident Christy Henderson who didn't love the crowds. 'So I'm not that heartbroken about it.' In a press release Neff said 'The decision comes as the City of New London faces financial budget challenges that limit the funding availability of critical resources, including police, fire, and public works support, which are essential to ensuring a safe and successful event.' 'This particular partner decided they wanted out,' said Mayor Michael Passero, (D) New London. He says talks had just begun about the city services needed to ensure a safe event. The mayor says before the pandemic the festival organizer would contribute to those annual efforts so that may have been discussed again. We reached out to Barbara Neff but haven't heard back. 'I'm not going to worry about it because New London can't… you can't survive and exist down here just because of Sailfest,' said Dave Pollock who owns The Diamond, a pizzeria on Bank Street. 'More people did come through the doors that didn't before,' said Lakisha Moon Lee who owns the fair trade store Colours of Life. 'The summertime is our busiest season anyway so we're just doing our best to continue to promote downtown New London,' said Lee. For many years during Sailfest, City Pier was filled with vendors and rides but this year none of them will set up shop there. They will however continue to set up a barge in the Thames River for the Saturday night fireworks spectacular which brings in much of the crowds. The Mashantucket Pequots first sponsored the fireworks in 1980 as a way to give back to the community. This year they will light up the sky on July 12. 'They're generous donation of the largest fireworks display on the east coast will be happening that same Saturday night,' said Mayor Passero. The mayor says the city will provide the same city services to again ensure a fun and safe event. 'We just stood on the porch and watched them,' said New London resident Francis Grace. 'Watched them from the porch yeah,' added Henderson. 'So that was nice. It was beautiful actually.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Organizers cancel Sailfest
New London — The annual Sailfest event that brought hundreds of thousands of visitors downtown for the last 45 years has been cancelled due to city budget issues, festival organizer Barbara Neff said Wednesday. But Mayor Michael Passero contends Neff made the decision before other options were fully explored. Early Tuesday night, Passero said the popular fireworks display would continue as he had spoken with Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Chairman Rodney Butler, who assured him the tribe would continue to fund the show. Neff, executive director of the Downtown New London Association, said she was told Tuesday by city officials no money would be available to cover the estimated $200,000 needed to pay for police, firefighter and public works overtime during the festival. Neff said she was stunned by the news as contracts for vendors and entertainment — including the popular fireworks display — had already been agreed to in many cases. 'Now I need to get on the phone and tell these people and companies it's not happening,' Neff said. 'We don't have the money to cover the lost funding.' But Passero said Wednesday the city didn't cancel Sailfest, Neff did after learning the city was not in a position this year to help subsidize the event. He said the city, facing a possible $2.5 million shortfall in state funding, is combing through every department budget to 'scratch out places to save.' 'If we're in a position where we have to cut positions, how can we justify using money for a street festival?' Passero said, who noted he was not at the meeting between Neff, city Chief Administrative Officer Steve Fields and Finance Director David McBride, during which festival costs were discussed. 'But we did not cancel the festival; this is a decision made by (Neff).' A formal statement issued by Passero's administration Wednesday afternoon states the Tuesday meeting between Neff and city staff focused on how increased public safety needs would be funded. 'Instead of engaging in weighing options, the organizer decided to cancel the festival admitting it was time,' the statement read. Security concerns Passero said he's also been worried for years about security at the event. In 2006, an elderly driver struck a crowd of attendees, injuring about two dozen people. He said the tragedy in New Orleans on New Year's Day, when 14 people were killed when a driver plowed through a celebrating crowd, has made him even more nervous. 'I think we'd have to put tens of thousands more into security before I'd feel good,' he said. In 2023, the summertime festival, which ran for decades Friday through Sunday, was shortened to exclude Friday due to police and other manpower issues. Neff said the festival serves as a much-needed source of revenue for downtown shops and restaurants after a winter shopping slump. 'They can make as much in two days as they did in January, February and March,' she said. 'And it's not just the businesses in the immediate area. There're places like the Hygenic Art and beverage distributors like F & F who will be affected.' Sal D'Angelo, owner of the Blue Duck & Bar on Bank Street, called Sailfest his 'biggest days of the year.' 'Last year on that Saturday we had 1,020 people come in, compared to 300 the next week,' he said. 'I spend a lot of time with my chef working out how to handle the volume and making sure we're offering the best service.' D'Angelo said it's not just his staff affected by the cancellation. 'There's DJs and bands booked ahead of time,' he said. 'We're going to try and come up with something ourselves that weekend that brings people in.' In her statement announcing the cancellation, Neff said the city will host three other fireworks displays this year sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Organizers cancel New London's annual Sailfest, citing budget constraints
NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) — Sailfest organizers Wednesday announced they've decided to cancel the longtime annual festival this year, citing the city's budget constraints. The annual summer festival has been bringing fireworks, live entertainment, and a variety of vendors to the city for 45 years. 2024: Sailfest returns to New London with fireworks, more 'Sailfest has been a cornerstone of New London's summer for over four decades, bringing people together to celebrate our waterfront and community,' Executive Director Barbara J. Neff said in a statement. 'Unfortunately, due to budget limitations, the city is unable to provide the necessary funding for public safety measures that make this event possible,' Neff continued. Organizers said the city has been facing financial budget challenges that limit the funding available for critical festival resources like police, fire, and public works support. Sting adds tour stop to Mohegan Sun Arena Organizers said a 2018 economic impact study found Sailfest generates about $58 million in revenue for the region over the course of the festival weekend. Although the festival is canceled, New London plans to have three other fireworks displays this year, sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
