Sunnyland Boat Festival Cancelled

“READING THE TEA LEAVES”

On Wednesday Dec 9, 2020, The Sunnyland Board of Directors had to make one of the hardest decisions and that was to cancel the Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival for 2021. The decision was predicated on numerous factors and it was very painful to have to cancel the event. Looking ahead to March of 2021, there is a very high degree of uncertainty that we could host the show. Here are some factors to consider:

• COVID cases are on a significant increase
• Several Sunnyland members have tested positive and others have been exposed
• The average age of the Sunnyland Boat Show Committee volunteers is 75
• We are all at the age of the most vulnerable
• Florida’s position on large crowds is 10
• Social distancing would require us to cancel all of the social events
• The Marina is currently under construction and we have lost storage and parking locations
• The new docks would not be completed for the show
• The company that manufactures the temporary docks was damaged by the two hurricanes that impacted the Gulf Coast. Their production capability was impacted.
• We did not want to open registration and collect funds and then go through a refund effort

The Sunnyland Chapter is very optimistic and we are planning a Huge celebration when the Marina is completed this summer. We envision a huge boat gathering and details will be forthcoming. The City of Tavares is planning a major grand opening and hopefully some of the obstacles will be behind us. The Chapter is fully committed to a 2022 show that promises to be an outstanding event. All of us are focused on the future of our great nation and as we drink our tea, we are reading the “Tea Leaves”

We certainly appreciate your concern and understanding and look forward to seeing all of you at our next gathering

Terry Fiest, Chairman, Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival