Power in the Park and A Noble Cause for Our Kids

by David Cartier

Author "A New Day in Olde Towne"

Virginia Boat Racing Association (VBRA), TowneBank and the City of Portsmouth will present one of the nation’s top inboard power racing events, the 8th Annual Power in the Park Regatta.

The event is set for Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, 2010 from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Portsmouth City Park. The event is free and open to the public.

8th Annual Power in the Park Regatta, April 17 and 18th, 2010

Virginia boasts three of the best race courses in the country (Portsmouth, Hampton and Clarksville). Locally, the American Power Boat Racing Association (ABPA) race in Hampton has grown to be one of the most popular events on the Peninsula. This race at Portsmouth City Park is the Virginia State Championships and should have plenty of racing excitment.

This year’s event marks the beginning of a new partnership with the Portsmouth NobleWomen, who will be running the beverage tent, with all proceeds benefiting PALS – The Portsmouth Athletic League, which provides recreational opportunities for the City’s at-risk youth.

This Portsmouth City Park race is just one of the events that the Portsmouth NobleWomen will be using a fundraiser to help local children. It should be wonderful opportunity to see some great power boat racing and help Portsmouth NobleWomen as well.

“Portsmouth City Park is one of the most amazing venues in the country", says race spokesman Randy Browning. “This section of the Elizabeth River’s Western Branch offers the racers protected and relatively shallow waters, and that means fast race times. In fact, we’ve had five world records set on this course during the past several years.”

“This event is a sight to behold,” says TowneBank Chairman and CEO Bob Aston. “When these boats reach speeds up to 150 miles per hour, you can feel the power reverberating off the water.”

Portsmouth offers one of the fastest race courses in the U.S. Several world records have been set on this well protected race site situated in a park setting. Competitors have traveled from all over the country to have a chance at setting the next world record.

Admission and parking are free to the public. Come by boat or car and enjoy a day at the races.

Bring your lounge chair or blanket and spend a day in the park. Bring your radio and tune in to the voice of Inboard Power Boat Racing on FM107.3 for live broadcasting of the race.

Next weekend, stop by Portsmouth City Park to see the 8th Annual Power in the Park Regatta. At the same time, be sure to see the NobleWomen and see how you can help them help our children in Portsmouth.


Driving Directions to Portsmouth City Park:

From the Peninsula - take I-664 through the Monitor-Merrimac Tunnel and exit on Portsmouth Boulevard. Follow Portsmouth Boulevard and turn left onto City Park Avenue, which leads straight into the park.

From Norfolk or Virginia Beach - take either the Midtown Tunnel (exiting to High Street and then turning onto Airline/Portsmouth Blvd.) or Downtown Tunnel (I-264 and exiting onto Portsmouth Boulevard). Turn right onto City Park Avenue and drive into the park.

For more information, about 'Power in the Park', please contact Randy Browning at 757.460.2201 or hydros@powerinthepark.com.

A note about the auther:  Throughout his hospitality career, David Cartier has been responsible for marketing destinations from Maine to Virginia. He will share the latest on the people, events and what’s happening in historic Olde Towne, Portsmouth. David, along with his wife Betsy own and operate Starboards Coffee Kiosk at High Street Landing, where they provide area information to locals, visitors and boaters alike.  David regularly contributes articles to Mile Marker "0" and other Skipjack blogs.