Boat-Sleighs And Fast Santas Tackle The Toys Tour
Though the boat-count has been stronger and the weather has been warmer for the annual Toys Tour, which continued its 24-year tradition of gathering toys for children in need last weekend, the spirit of Christmas still thrives in Florida’s Putnam County. According to primary organizer Scott McCormick of Velocity Powerboats, the event attracted 85 to 90 boats, counting those sidelined by mechanical attrition during the three-day happening on the St. Johns River.
Thanks to the annual Toys Tour event, the St. Johns River near Palatka, Fla., is the place to be in early December. Photos courtesy/copyright Mike Goode.
“It was a little light on boats, but we had a ton of people,” McCormick said. “I think a lot of people rode with other people in their boats instead of bringing their boats down.
“But it was still a really, really good time,” he added.
North Carolina’s Chad Shutter, who was joined by his wife, Ashley, and friends including Binks Fun Run for Addiction Awareness event-founder Kurt Binkley and photographer Mike Goode, agreed.
“There were more than 300 people,” said Shutter, who owns BRP Marine Custom in Denver, N.C., and has participated many times in the Palatka, Fla., event. “It was the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen here.”
Several powerboat-loving Santas earned breaks last weekend in Central Florida.
The owner of the BoatFreaks.org online community, T.J. Bailey—also from North Carolina—returned to the event for the “14th or 15th” time.
“My buddy, Ernie, and I took my 24 Fountain CS that I bought middle of last year,” he said. “This was its first official run, and I couldn’t be happier. Friday was a little on the cold side but Saturday was beautiful. You know me though—65 degrees and sunny is all I need to be loving life on the water.”
Cool weather and warm hearts combined for another Toys Tour happening.
In addition to Saturday’s main event, which began with each boat in the fleet delivering toys to representatives of the Putnam County Sheriff Department at the Welka Docks, there were lunch runs on Friday and Sunday. Breakdowns during the Saturday happening cut into Sunday’s run to the Crab Shack, yet some 15 boats still made the trek.
Organizer Scott McCormick (right) shared a Velocity sportboat cockpit with his friend Bob Spitulski.
“I didn’t return and get the banquet going until late thanks to breaking down, so it turned out to be a little bit of a ‘winged’ affair,” McCormick explained. “I never got to make the announcement for Sunday or hand out the maps or anything, but we still had 50 people show up.”
Saturday’s visit to Crystal Springs is always among the highlights to the Toys Tour. Photos courtesy T.J. Bailey.
But as always, Saturday’s toy collection drop-off effort took center stage. The Putnam County Sheriff Department will begin distributing the gifts this week.
Said Bailey, “It was such a great turnout for the kids. That has been the main goal since Rus Matos got it started.”
Jordan Hart joined Kelly O’Hara in the DCB Performance Marine M37R catamaran called Cowboy & Indian O’Hara co-owns with Kiran Pinisetti for the event.
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