Celebrate Buzzards Bay Day – This Saturday

July 13, 2004

CONTACT:

Michelle Frey, Communications and Outreach Coordinator

The Coalition for Buzzards Bay

508-999-6363, ext. 208

NEW BEDFORD, MA—Celebrate Buzzards Bay Day consists of a 1.2 mile open water swim across outer New Bedford Harbor and an evening celebration of food and music on the shores of Buzzards Bay. It highlights the role a clean and healthy Buzzards Bay plays in all of our lives.

Swim Buzzards Bay starts at Davy’s Locker in New Bedford and finishes at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven.  Swimmers will arrive at the starting line between 6:30am and 7:30am.  The swim is split up into two Waves.  Wave 1 will begin at 8:00am and Wave 2 will begin at 8:10am.  Medical and safety personnel will be at both the starting and finishing line. 

At 9:30 am an awards ceremony will take place at the finish line.  Prizes will be given out for fastest female swimmer and fastest male swimmer in certain age groups.  Prizes will also be given to the top fundraiser and fastest Team.  Swimmer interviews and photo and video opportunities will be available at both Davy’s Locker and Fort Phoenix.   On-the-water photo and video opportunities are available to a limited number aboard the Buzzards Baykeeper Boat.  Please contact us if you are interested.

Celebrate! Buzzards Bay takes place at Fort Taber in New Bedford.  The festivities begin at 6:00pm and last until 10:00 pm.   Guests will enjoy the best food and drinks the Bay has to offer from: Antonio’s, Buzzards Bay Brewing, Cecily’s, Cerulli’s, Cuttyhunk Shellfish, D&D Catering, Davy’s Locker, Dockside Café, Domino’s Pizza, Ernie’s Deli & Desserts, Harriet’s Catering, Jim’s Organic Coffee, Lees Market, M&C Café, Margaret’s, New England Clam Jams,

No Problemo, Not Your Average Joe’s, and Spirits, Inc. 

The X-Tones and El Caribe will keep the music going all night long.  Capturing a moment on the Bay – the Live Auction – will begin at 8:00pm.  The items up for auction are:

• Painting by local artist, Elaine Rogers Cooper, to be created from your photo of a favorite landscape or seascape.
  
• Family photo, shot on location, by local photographer,  Nelson Maré of Maré Studio & Gallery.
  
• Become next year’s Celebrate pin-up: inspire New Bedford-born artist, Daniel Vasconcellos as he creates the memorable image for Celebrate! Buzzards Bay ’05.

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The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of Buzzards Bay and its watershed. The organization works to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research and advocacy and is supported by more than 4,700 members.