It's one of the great sailing traditions in the entire Great Lakes region and it is heading to port in St. Joseph next weekend, celebrating the Labor Day holiday weekend with everyone in town invited. The Tri-State Regatta harkens back decades in time and brings the spirit of competition, fun and pageantry to our shores every year.
The event launches from the Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago after work on Friday with hundreds of sailors and more than a hundred sailboats departing the Windy City for the race across the lake to St. Joseph. Depending on wind speeds, weather and water conditions, sailors begin arriving between the piers in St. Joseph anywhere from midnight Friday to noon on Saturday. Arrival times typically hinge on the size of the boat, those weather conditions and the skill of the crew involved.
The best part for landlubbers in Michigan's Great Southwest takes place on Saturday when the City of St. Joseph throws down the welcome mat for an afternoon at the St. Joseph River Yacht Club, wandering the streets and shops of our colorful downtown districts, participating in a volleyball tournament at Tiscornia Beach, or…in the case of a long and rough night at sea, a simple recovery period from the rigors of the race.
The race from Chicago to St. Joseph is run under the guidance of the Columbia Yacht Club who, in partnership with the St. Joe River Yacht Club, sends many thousands of sailors and visitors to our shores throughout the year. Some of the earliest competitive sailing between the two historic clubs date back to the early 1900's.
The current format, with the Friday race to St. Joe, a Sunday race to Michigan City and a Labor Day return to Chicago, has been running for well over 70-years. The Michigan City Yacht Club sponsors the second leg, and the Jackson Park Yacht Club sponsors the race back to Chicago on Monday. All of the yacht clubs have noted that the long-standing relationship they enjoy is sincerely valued. Typically, about a dozen or more boats from St. Joe travel to Chicago to compete in the race, and often bring home a trophy or two.
The public at large has an open invitation to join the annual part on Saturday which has been called by many "The Best Regatta Party on the Great Lakes." It is open to the public for everyone to enjoy on Saturday, September 3rd, when the day starts at 7am with an all you can eat breakfast buffet of scrambled eggs, sausage, French toast and other sides. That runs until 11am. Then burgers and hotdogs and potato salad will be available from noon until 3pm, capped off by a fantastic dinner of grilled steak, chicken or vegetarian offerings including sides from 6pm until 9pm.
The entertainment starts with Mike Talbot at the Rhumbline Bar from 2pm until 5pm. The wildly popular band, PS Dump Your Boyfriend/Pfreak Show takes to the main stage from 8pm until midnight for a great night of music and dancing. Food and drink tickets can be purchased at the door, and there will be a $5 cash admission after 8pm. The big event takes place rain or shine since it's all under the big top tent on the yacht club grounds.
The St. Joe River Yacht Club is driven by volunteers who donate many hours to assure the celebration maintains its reputation as the coolest place to be on a hot Labor Day weekend. The sheer crowds of people that make their way to see the boats and enjoy the overall atmosphere help shape a great evening on the waterfront. You can find the yacht club at 1 Lighthouse Lane in St. Joseph or you can get more information by phone at 269-983-6393.
