Press Release
On Sunday October 26th , the 6th annual Family Festival of Sail has been rescheduled on the Finals Day of the Argo Gold Cup, in Barr’s Bay Park. This is a free and fun event that allows families to learn more about sailing and enjoy a day of festivities that celebrate boating, sailing and the sea.

Next to the America’s Cup, the King Edward VII Gold Cup is one of the oldest match racking trophies in the world. Presented for the first time in 1907, the Gold Cup, stands at the pinnacle of mono-hull match racing. It is one of the Holy Grails of sailing. This is the event that takes place on Bermuda’s very own Hamilton Harbour each October. Top teams from around the world, including past and present America’s Cup competitors take part in the event.

Many of the current Argo Gold Cup (AGGC) sailors had their start in the Optimist fleet. Those are the small “bath tub” toys seen out on Bermuda’s waters day in and day out throughout the year. This is the perfect place for a young person to start their life-long love of sailing. Bermuda is extremely lucky to be able to runa world-renowned Optimist regatta that runs alongside the AGGC-the Renaissance Re Junior Gold Cup. This regatta is a mixture of international and local juniors who come together to compete alongside the “big kids” on the AGGC course.

The Family Festival of Sail allows Bermudian families the opportunity to visit the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and watch the final races, hear the commentary and learn about sailing programs. In the Calabash Room, there will be videos running of past America’s Cup racing as the island has their fingers crossed for the final nod for 2017. Models of fitted dinghies and a Lego model of an America’s Cup racing boat will be on display. The public is invited to have lunch on the RBYC terrace to be closer to the action.

In the park, there will be a live art installation underway which is a collaboration between the Chewstick Foundation and the FFOS organizers. Artists Michael Cacy, Juan Trevino and Kendra Earls will be creating oversized paintings and a mosaic of sailing scenes. These works of art will be auctioned and the proceeds will provide sailing scholarships in the RBYC Sailing Academy for eight young adults identified through the Chewstick Foundation. There is 16 hours of actual sailing instruction which will result in the new sailors being assigned to racing teams through the Club.

Other activities include a Fashion Show aboard Calico Jack’s, the pirate boat, at 2pm. Calico Jack’s will re-locate to Barr’s Bay Park, from Dockyard, to be part of the Family Festival of Sail. Models are young Bermudians featuring sailing gear and nautical attire from Makin’ Waves.

The Bermuda Rowing Club will have simulators to try rowing and learn more about the sport. The Bermuda RC Model Sailboat Club will be racing boats and have a display. The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Bermuda Ocean Explorers and the African Disapora Heritage Trail will have interactive booths.

Artist Milton Hill will be building wooden boats, Jill Raine will be painting nautical scenes while artist Ami Zanders will be yarn bombing the park. DJ Qian Dickinson will be providing musical entertainment, Emcee Nikita Robinson will be broadcasting live on Hott 107.5 in the park from 12n until 2pm. There is the usual face painting, pirate appearances, pirate dress up station, fun castle and food vendors on hand.

The Bermuda Police Service will have boats on display, officers present and offer rides to interested families.