Regatta organizers expect 1,000 participants to row into Sanford

The Seminole Herald; Sanford, Fl.; Oct 28, 2001; Michelle Jerla, Managing Editor; Copyright 2001

SANFORD – The Heritage Festival has been cancelled, but the regatta will go on.

Originally billed as the Heritage Festival Regatta, the Head of Lake Monroe Regatta is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10, from 6 a.m. to 6p.m. The one-day event will be held on the shores of Lake Monroe and will include high school, college and master level competitors.

“Due to tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, the Heritage Festival scheduled during the Veteran’s Day weekend was canceled,” said Ezra Simmons of Mitty Events LLC. “However, in honor of the veterans who fought for our freedom, and as a symbol of our American resolve, the regatta will go on.”

Mitty Events, the organizer of the regatta, also plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from the event to the Sept. 11 Fund.  Greenbert-Traurig, Attorneys at Law, and The Colonnades at On Top of the World, who are the event’s presenters, will contribute to the Fund.

According to Simmons, about 1,000 competitors are expected to participate in the classic “Head Race” style-rowing regatta.  Three of the four fastest single scullers in the southeast and the second fastest in the country are also registered for the event.

Although rowing is a sport where a race isn’t easy to watch from start to finish, the regatta’s finish line will be set up at Fort Mellon Park, Simmons Said. Spectators will be able to view the excitement on the finish.

“Even if a person hasn’t experience a race before, they will get tot see the boasts riding by,” he said.  “There will be many talented competitors to watch.”

In it’s initial years, Simmons said Mitty Events is pleased with the number of competitors scheduled to compete in the US Rowing sanctioned event.  Plans are to make it an annual event in Sanford.

“Even if the festival does not come back, we plan on being around,” Simmons said. “As the Lakefront continues to grow, we hope to continue to be a part of it.”

Along with a day of rowing, the event will include a Regatta Village for spectators.  The venue will include food, beverage and other vendors.

And, it’s not too late to become a part of the first Head of Lake Monroe regatta.  The event is currently seeking additional sponsors and vendors interested in being a part of the Regatta Village.  For more information bout the event or to become a sponsor, contact Regatta Coordinator Dan Kempinger or Simmons at 407-265-8250.