[Graphic provided by www.SaratogaRowing.com]
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Head of the Fish Regatta will be taking place at Fish Creek. Tom Frost founded this regatta in 1986 and it is now in its 31st year.
This year there are approximately 2,300 entries.
“No regatta in history has ever done that and we’re crazy enough to try it,” said Chris Chase, Regatta Director.
This year it is approximated that roughly eight to 10 thousand people will be in attendance and if the weather holds up, could be as many as 12 thousand people spectating.
On Saturday, all college and adult level races will be taking place, equaling about seven to eight thousand athletes with four thousand junior athletes on Sunday. Chase estimates about 180 teams total.
“Over the course of the weekend we will have 102 busses, which are large, 110 trailers, 130 food tents which are 15x20 feet, so once you start narrowing down all that space, it gets crazy,” said Chase.
Saratoga Rowing Association is currently negotiating more space with Lee’s Park owner Leo Nosal.
“We’ve grown almost every year I’ve been in charge, since 1998,” Chase said.
“Leo is outstanding with also trying to maintain the integrity of the campgrounds and accommodate us. He’s been awesome. We’ve grown every year and every time we grow there has been a growing pain and those pains are usually Leo’s pains because we ask for more. So it’s been great that he’s been so open-minded about doing that given his own obligations to his customers as well,” Chase explained.
While the regatta is expected to bring in thousands, Chase warns that “locals better get their restaurant reservations in now because lines will be massive come that weekend.”
Go to www.SaratogaRowing.com to check out the maps and schedule of the event on Oct. 28 and 29.
