Dockfest 2008 the best one yet

A 125-pound pig on the barbeque spit was the centre of attention at Dockfest 2008, Fairport Yacht Club's annual summer celebration. All 200 tickets were sold out, making this year's event the biggest Dockfest to date. By all accounts, it was also the best. (Click on any photo for a larger view.)






Bill Simpson, who celebrated his 80th birthday during Dockfest, and his son, Dave, insert garlic cloves into the 120-pound side of beef before it begins eight hours of cooking.

The man responsible for the perfectly barbecued pork and succulent beef was James Simpson (centre). Here he prepares to slice up the pork under the watchful eye of wife Carole and friend Pugs Norman (at right) and helper Georgs Kolesnikovs.

The Caribbean sounds of the Infrareds were a huge hit, as witnessed by many dancing feet among those present.

Many Fairporters contributed time and talent to make Dockfest a success, among them James and his BBQ crew, Bill, Dave and Georgs; Carole who prepared the stuffing and great salads; Susan who was in charge of ticket sales and serving the eats, Ralph who looked after the veggie burger barbecue, Dave and Audrey who looked after so many details, Rita and Norlene who decorated the venue in the club's red, white and blue, Paul Murray who built the stage, Gary who dockmastered visiting yachts and collected a bevy of door prizes, Jed and Betty, the Vasil brothers and everyone else who helped.

Special thanks to Nat's Marine, The Waterfront Bistro, Port Restaurant, and News Advertiser for their support.

Godspeed, Spirit of Canada!

Spirit of Canada heads across Lake Ontario destined for France and the start of the Vendee Globe, a race around the planet, singlehanded and nonstop, that starts November 9.

Fairport Yacht Club hoped to send a flotilla to greet Derek Hatfield, Spirit of Canada's skipper, soon after he departed his home port at Port Credit Yacht Club. Close to 10 yachts left the dock but were unable to catch up with Spirit as she reached along at 10 knots. Only the power catamaran At Last! managed to rendezvous with the Open 60 some five miles offshore.

Derek Hatfield waves after the crew of At Last! extended best wishes for a safe and fast circumnavigation on behalf of all members of Fairport Yacht Club.

See you at Dockfest 2008!

Click on the image to easily read all the text, and to print the poster.

Flashback to Dockfest 2007

As Fairport Yacht Club's Dockfest 2008 approaches, look back at the pig and corn roast held last year and mark Saturday, August 16, on your calendar for this year. Details will be posted soon.

The InfraReds provided a wonderful variety of Caribbean sounds for the listening and dancing pleasure of members and guests.

The star of the show was the pig on a spit that took six hours to reach perfection for eating.

A good time was had by close to 150 members and guests. There's talk of increasing the number of tickets offered for sale for the 2008 event to 200.

Blues late into the night—for a good cause

Blues artist Bruce Nasmith was the headliner at the Beef & Blues fund-raiser for Fairport YC organized by Lori and Paul Murray.

Shane Ryder looks after business on the Blackberry, Ralph Birkhoff reaches for a fresh drink while other members chat around the fire.

Paul Murray plays drums with Bruce Nasmith on guitar while guest artist Pugs "The Harp" Norman wails away on the harmonica.

Jim Simpson joins the jam with his fancy air guitar while Norlene Chong and Pugs offer encouragement.

There was a biker among the boaters as Bob Gow arrived at the party on his gorgeous Harley-Davidson Road King.

Before the party wound down well after midnight, Bill Coons, bass guitar, and Bob Anderson, rhythm guitar, were also "on stage" with Paul, Pugs and Bruce.

Thank you to all the members and friends who came out in support of our Beef & Blues. Thanks also to the guests attending from Hot Knots Landing Marina (Orillia), Frenchman's Bay Yacht Club (Pickering) & Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club (Scarborough) as well.

The event was the success we anticipated and two life rings for Fairport Yacht Club will be purchased this week.

Thanks for playin'
Lori & Paul

Time for a BBQ for a good cause

SOLD OUT!
Sorry, we are maxed out for this year, but will be looking for larger facilities for the BBQ in 2009.

What: Fund-raiser for Fairport Yacht Club
When: Saturday, May 24
Where: 1295 Wharf Street #7
Cocktails: 7 p.m.
BBQ: 8 p.m.
Libations: BYOB
Cost: $25/couple or $15/single
Live Entertainment: The blues of Bruce Nasmith & Guests
Proceeds: Liferings for Fairport YC
If you have an instrument, bring it along.

For more information, click here to reach the BBQ organizers, Lori and Paul Murray.

Welcome to Fairport Yacht Club!

Fairport Yacht Club was first incorporated in 1984 by a group of sailors, power and sail, operating from Port Pickering Marina. The name was taken from the Village of Fairport which now is the area at the foot of Liverpool Road in Pickering on the east shore of Frenchman's Bay.

The club was active until the late 1990s when the marina closed and the site was sold to the City of Pickering for parkland. The club moved its burgee to East Shore Marina and tried to carry on but interest soon waned and membership disappeared. Just before the charter was to be revoked, a small group acquired it, filed the outstanding returns and kept the club charter alive for a project that was then in the planning stages.

In 2004, Fairport Yacht Club returned to Frenchman's Bay at its new home at Ontario's first registered Dockominium. The 56-slip Dockominium is located on the east shore of the bay just north of Frenchman's Bay Marina on modern docks with superior facilities. The slips are privately owned.

Fairport Yacht Club functions as the sailing, cruising and social hub for those owners or tenants of the Dockominium who choose to join in social or cruising events.

The past several years have seen a number of visitors to Fairport YC and 2008 promises to be a banner year as we finally have new modern washrooms, showers and laundry open right at the ramp to shore.

The fabulous new Port Restaurant and Lounge has opened right next door. Hy Tea, Creme Brule and the popular Waterfront Bistro with live entertainment are steps apart on Liverpool Road. We now have four restaurants within a five-minute walk, the boutiques of Captain's Walk on Liverpool Road to stroll, and activities at Pickering's waterfront and beach to keep everyone occupied.

—Gary Peck