Destination Change In Store For 2025 Gratton New Year’s Day Event
Joey Gratton Memorial New Year’s Day Fun Run organizer Ryan Beckley has secured a few different lunch spots for the event during the last 12 years. But for the past several years, the fleet has headed to Caddy’s restaurant in Bradenton, Fla. Despite limited dockage at the waterfront eatery, most participants enjoyed its casual atmosphere and good food. Caddy’s was a solid choice for the Gratton happening.
For performance-boating fans, there’s no better placed to be on New Year’s Day than Sarasota, Fla., and its neighboring waterfront communities. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
At least it was until Hurricanes Helene and Milton shuttered the place for good. So this year’s fun-run fleet will head from Sarasota to Woody’s River Roo on the shores of the Manatee River in Ellenton.
“Woody’s is a great spot—just up the river a little farther—and it’s been around forever,” Beckley said. “It’s a little tighter area so there will be lots of rafting off, but they have welcomed us.”
Performance boat enthusiasts from around the country have committed to bringing their boats and spending the week on the water in the area ahead of the Gratton run. Despite the tighter docking confines of the new lunch spot for the fun run, Beckley is excited about the new destination and grateful to have it inked.
“Anywhere we go with 70 to 100 boats is not easy,” Beckley added. “Woody’s is the best option we have. They will have a full menu, live music and three bars open.”
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