Press Release from First Position Media

The eighth Connecticut Spring Boat Show raised over $29,000 for Sails Up 4 Cancer. Funds raised included 50% proceeds from ticket sales, a $3,000 anonymous donation, $530 from J. McLaughlin, and over $750 in merchandise sales proceeds.

The three-day event held was held from April 26-28 at Safe Harbor Essex Island and greeted 2,500 show attendees. The show was grateful to see good weather this year, as opposed to the rain, wind, and low temperatures of last year’s event. This sunny weekend brought an increased number of guests, as well as more funds raised.

“What an amazing boat show and a fantastic weekend. Kudos to Ben Cesare of Windcheck Magazine for organizing a fabulous array of boats and exhibitors,” said Bob Davis, founder of Sails Up 4 Cancer, a non-profit organization supporting cancer care, education, prevention, and research. “This is Sails Up 4 Cancer’s eighth year at the CT Spring Boat Show, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. We realized close to $30,000 thanks to all who came out to support both our cause and the show. This money will go to our Spinnaker Fund, which will help to support about 20 families in need of financial aid while battling cancer. Looking for a repeat in 2025!”

Ben Cesare, the director of the event, was very happy about the way everything unfolded that weekend.

“I have to say that what really makes this event special is the number of local businesses and organizations that get involved as either exhibitors or sponsors or contributors,” Cesare said. “But in addition to their involvement, the generosity of everyone with their time and efforts and monetary contributions is really special—from the Essex Steam Train team aboard Adventure and their 100% donation of the Cocktail Cruise proceeds, to the ferry drivers from Safe Harbor who donated their tips for the weekend, to the teams from Essex Boat Works led by John Lewis who go all out to make the entrance and parking for the event better each year and, of course, the Safe Harbor Essex Island team led by Henry Domenie and Adam Yaegar who, again, make the island more attractive each year. I think the Town of Essex should be very proud of all that gets done to show off this great venue and event.”

The show is a production of WindCheck Magazine and hosted by Safe Harbor Essex Island. Show sponsors include Essex Boat Works, Maritime Insurance International, Surfridge Brewing Co., Mohegan Sun Casino, Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA), Risk Strategies/Gowrie Group, Dryvebox, The Griswold Inn, The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Experience Essex, and Saybrook Point Resort & Marina.