GBS students get ready for a fun day in the sun at last year’s Flotilla.
It’s almost Spring time on St. John, which means the March winds are blowing strong and the Coral Bay Yacht Club will soon be offering the best sailing deal on the island.
The 16th Almost Annual Guy Benjamin School Benefit Flotilla is just around the corner. The party will be at Miss Vie’s Campground on Saturday, March 24, and the fun can be accessed by water or by land.
CBYC members are offering day sails aboard their vessels for only $40, which will get one a sail from the Coral Bay dock to Miss Vie’s beach and admission to the party which includes live music and lunch.
Anyone who doesn’t feel like braving the waves to the beach is welcome to join the party by car and pay the $20 entry fee.
All proceeds from the Flotilla will go to the Coral Bay public elementary school Guy Benjamin School, which plans to upgrade its computer labs and expand its ebook capabilities, according to Principal Dr. Whitman Browne.
“We’ve been having some computer problems and we want to make sure that we have more computers in each classroom,” said Browne. “We’re also interested in learning technology and electronic books to entice our students to read, read, read.”
GBS students will enjoy a sail out to the party aboard Coral Bay’s tall ship, the 110-foot Silver Cloud. Once at the beach, everyone is welcome to enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers grilled up by Captain Will Hudson and CBYC members or scrumptious local fare whipped up by GBS parents.
When not splashing in the waves off the sandy beach, St. John reggae stars Inner Visions are sure to keep the crowd entertained. The local reggae band will kick off their afternoon set at 12 p.m. There will also be raffle tickets for sale for the chance to take home a number of prizes, including the grand prize of a cool $500 in cash.
There will be a cash bar at the beach and day sailers are asked to bring beverages of their choice along with them for their cruise over to Vie’s. Guests sailing over should meet at the Coral Bay dinghy dock at 9 a.m. on March 24 and drivers should plan to arrive at the East End beach at 12 p.m.
Browne thanked CBYC members, and the Coral Bay community, for their continued support of the school.
“We really appreciate the support from the community,” said the GBS principal. “It’s really appreciated how the people here are concerned about the school and how they support us.”
Skippers willing to sail guests to the flotilla should call Dick Burks at 643-5261.
