Posted on 02/11/2009 4:51:31 AM PST by Morgana
Updated at 6 p.m. Tuesday CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Next summer without the Charleston Regatta could mean a change of plans for a lot of folks during the 2009 Labor Day weekend.
Without sponsors there will not be a regatta next summer, according to Charleston Mayor Danny Jones.
It was in the early 70s when Charleston got its first taste of the regatta. Nearly four decades later, the city might have lost its appetite for the Labor Day tradition.
The crowds, the entertainment and even the name have changed over the years. Meanwhile, the centerpiece of the regatta -- the line up of sternwheelers -- have disappeared. Most of them rode a wave out of town years ago -- not to be seen again at this event.
Now, the event itself appears to be headed in the same direction. Jones made it clear at Monday night's City Council meeting that the money has run dry.
"It's a call that can be changed if someone would step forward with the money," Jones said. "I don't think that's very likely. We need $400,000. We can raise about 10 percent of that, but the city of Charleston can't keep funding that particular event."
That news has come to the dismay of many local residents who said they attend the regatta regularly.
Next year could mark the first summer in a long time when you won't hear the phrase, "You Gotta Regatta."
Jones said Charleston will have other events to keep everyone busy next summer including Festivall, Live on the Levee and the Doo Wop and Run car show.
Myrtle Beach has nixed the Black & White Bike Weekends this spring.
really? same reason?
However, in recent years, the event tanked, beginning with a stupid move by a former mayor to ban beer at the festivities (in the heart of West Virginia, of all places!). Needless to say, the regatta never recovered, and that's why that mayor is now "former.".
I remember it when they did not have beer and it was fun! Then they added beer and people acted drunk and stupid. People would try to walk through you and not around you. It became more about the beer and not watching the boat races. Now the boat races are gone....so what is the point? That is what it was all about! Watching the boats race!
Money & Hassle
By the way....by saying “I remember when” I am showing my age! This started in the early 70’s and I was a little girl...but I remember! The boat...”The P.A. Denny” always won!
More like Booze and Hassle!
Did they allow beer last year?
The locals were complaining big time. I would guess “the locals” were not business owners.
The town was full for about two weeks, yeah, a lot of traffic problems for locals but the two weekends brought a ton of money to the town and local business owners.
They have allowed beer for the last ten years that I know of...it makes good money...but draws a bad crowd. Families stay away..and all the drunks come out.
Yea....but how much crime did it bring too?
I never went to the regatta. I lived in Ansted. I did go to Bridge Day every year that I lived there.
Kind of off the subject, but my husband is a car salesman. For years now his dealership, like many others in the area, hasn't offered the "Free-Hot-Dog-and-Doughnuts" type come-on to get customers into the showroom. Turns out this gimmick nowadays b/c it attracts "human termites" (they swarm all over the place, eating everything) which, of course, turns off potential customers.
So beer has nothing to do with it being shut down. It sounds like the families couldn’t keep it afloat.
It almost sounds like the decline began when the beer went away.
Depends on what crime “Crime” is.
Most of the complaints seemed to be topless/flashing girls, loud bikes, long convoys blocking intersections, wheelies on the street - stuff like that.
We have a place near Myrtle Beach and just stayed away from Hwy 17 for 2 weeks.
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