Lock Haven

[sjohnson200]

The Lock Haven Area Jaycees will be involved in a "tourism roundtable" on Tuesday to talk about the different tourism events in the county and what can be done to make them better.
We are the biggest game in the county when it comes to tourism events and are looking for some input from the boaters.
What can be done to make your stay more enjoyable in Lock Haven??? Obviously, more hotel space is needed, but that is not likely.
Stuff to do at night? During the day before or between races? In the mornings?
Again, just looking for some general input to bring back to the tourism "movers and shakers."

Thanks,
Scott Johnson
VP

[csh2z]

Drivers parties & awards presentations are something that is needed. Nothing spectacular but a place nearby that we can all go and enjoy each others company. Local sponsors and area representatives should also be encouraged to attend and mingle with the families in boat racing.
John Runne 2-Z

[bill hoctor]

After Race

Scott' For years, on Sunday night, we all went to the Elk's for awards and diner after Sat.& Sun races. What a time, filled the room most of the time, at the Runne table, always filled with trophys,remember John ? Some years we went to the Armory for food, Louise Desiato fed us, then we danced under the parachutes !!!!!!!!!! Ahhh those were the days..........Bill

[meanred]

Lockhaven

The Lockhaven event is one of the best races that my team atteneds each year. We make the 8 hour trip from Michigan because we like everthing about it. We had to miss it this year because of a wedding still would have driven there even with bad weather predictions.

Keep up the good work. See you all next summer.
Jim
7-M
Parker Robb Racing

[PopPop]

Lock Haven

I do not know if Woolrich is in your county but we make a trip there every year, usually Friday afternoon. It is a great place for Christmas gifts and personal good buys on Labor Day weekend. With the size group that we bring to Lock Haven, maybe they could be brought into the race weekend in some way.

[Hydroglobe17J]

I know the kids always like fire works, maybe have them on Saturday night.

[racerchic3z]

Two Words

Free Beer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PopPop]

Fireworks

I know the kids always like fire works, maybe have them on Saturday night.

Or Sunday night !!!!

[sjohnson200]

Thanks, keep 'em coming

Responding to responses:
1. We have been talking the last couple of years of reinstating the awards parties. I will talk to a local establishment (probably "The Old Corner") about doing that next year. Unfortunately, The Fallon (a favorite of many boaters) has fallen into disrepair over the years and has become a college (or underage) bar that has some negative publicity with the public. Donnie at The Old Corner is a Jaycees and a Regatta friend and could be receptive to the idea. Ideally, we would bring back the old Sal's (Assante's) if you remember that, but that has since turned into a six-pack, restaurant. The Old Corner is kind of small, but I would recommend it to any racer regardless of the outcome of awards party.

2. Elks and Armory are still here. Before my time, but could be a possibility.

3. Woolrich is in our county and we will approach about special deals with boaters. Not sure if they know about the interest.

4. Fireworks. Always kind of a sore subject with us. Not really a sore subject, but....... it is our biggest expense. DuWayne Kunes (Wizzard) who has been around since dirt (most of the boaters should know him) insists the fireworks should be Monday night at 10:30 p.m. Reason..... between 8 and 10:30 p.m. on Monday, we make thousands of dollars, between ourselves and all the other vendors, with food sales leading up to the fireworks. Kids have school the next day and a lot of locals would like them either on Sunday night or earlier Monday night. The money made during that time is hard to pass up... but, it would be nice to allow more locals AND THE BOATERS to enjoy the fireworks. It's touchy, but can be addressed. We love you guys and would love to have you enjoy the fireworks, but we have to outweigh the costs and benefits involved. (BTW the fireworks cost us this year $6,500 and are the best show the county sees every year). It's a big check to go out. We have had preliminary discussions having a big-name band come in Monday night (we had good success with a big regional band this past year) and that may offset the loss in revenues on Monday night.

5 FREE BEER - Frankly, the best post. I hope all boaters know that we all have a good time during Labor Day. Why do it if you don't have a good time? We work hard, but reward our help the best we can. On Saturday and Sunday nights, workers with ROYERS (who have french fries, Pepsi, fried veggis, burgers, etc... our biggest vendors) come down to the hall and drink beer and vodka-soaked cherries with us and play The Money Wheel. This is a vendor that is based nearby, but has events all up and down the East Coast throughout the year. This is the ONLY event during the year they do this with the sponsors and are a big supporter for us ( PLUG- HELP OUT ROYERS WHENEVER YOU CAN). The point is, we would LOVE to have any boaters come down to the hall and enjoy the weekend with us. I, quite frankly, have never met a better bunch of guys and we have COLD BEER ON TAP throughout the weekend. Whenever... you guys are always invited. You are the reason we have this great event.
Maybe the awards banquet can be held down at the hall (to incorporate an earlier post), but, as with any other service organization, the volunteers are getting harder and harder to come by, and the ones doing it are doing more and more.
Anyways, ANY BOATER AND FAMILIES AND FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME DOWN IN OUR HALL, the big old church near the end of the carnival. The more, the better.... and there's always FREE COLD BEER ON TAP.

Please, keep any comments coming. I thank the comment on Woolrich and hope that will help us bring another sponsor on board. Please, help us help you, along with your friends.

I know you know, but I just want to reiterate that our county's residents LOVE you boat racers and this would be a great place to hold Nationals in July. Our volunteers, unforuntately, have to work for a living and week-long obligation is a little too much for us.

Again, please keep the comments coming. They will help us help you. This really is a big event for our town and our organization and any comments can only help both sides.

Lisa and I really tried to get the boaters out there this year, but the river didn't cooperate. I can only reiterate the discouragement the whole community felt about the races. For the last month leading to the regatta, that's all that was being discussed around here. Let's make next year a MUST-BE-THERE event, with everyone on-board.

Again, keep 'em coming.

P.S.: I am an editor at the local newspaper that is very much behind the regatta. Any suggestions for stories leading up to it would be very much appreciated.

[L. Allen]

Love Lock Haven!

Lock Haven is my favorite race and the only one I go to every year.
For me, it's about the town coming out for us and welcoming us (which really does make the difference and the long ride worth it), the carnaval, motel rooms within walking (or biking) distance, the feel of the town itself and last but certainly not least (and don't laugh), the restrooms in the pits. Even tho we all just sat around Labor Day weekend, we still had fun!!!

As far as stories leading up to the race, you could spotlight a racer/family, and tell their story (how they got into racing, what they do in the real world, how far they come to get there, who in the family races, who in the family helps, and follow up with how they do at Lock Haven, etc.). Everyone has a story!

Laurie Allen