Cruiser Events in the Sea of Cortez – La Paz Bay Fest and Loreto Fest 2008

In days of olde pirates and sailors alike gathered on Espiritu Santo, an island at the north end of Bahia de La Paz. As many as two hundred vessels from around The Sea and from as far away as New Zealand gathered there in the late spring, before heading their separate ways. The focus was on sailing – with daily races for craft large and small, some of them down right serious. It was a chance for seafarers to swap stories and share tequila. The grog flowed plentifully and more than one topless wench was seen to grace a pulpit. It was a party for adult sailors and no excuses were made for the wee ones. It was a fiesta to celebrate the camaraderie of the sea and the adventure of traveling in a rough and foreign land. A burgee, garnered as a prize and seen flying from a rig in some distant port like San Francisco, would be greeted with knowing winks, as if to say, ‘I too was there!’

Well, times changed and Baja became more civilized. The olde sailors died or became land lubbers and the big boats stopped coming. The tradition was lost.

In speaking with some old timers who remember those historic times, they say the last great gathering was in the early '90's, that's 1990's. The event was known as ‘La Paz Race Week’.

In the first years of this century the great gatherings have struggled to revive that which was lost. The La Paz ‘Race Week’ event went the way of the wild goose in 2003, when Club Cruceros suffered an identity crisis. Now, with a new commodore and new vigor the club is promoting this years event with significantly more enthusiasm.

April 2003 saw a new effort in ‘Island Madness’, a privatized attempt to revitalize the true cruiser's party on the islands. The fact that the event was new and a

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general decrease in the number of cruisers that year lead to a disappointing attendance of just 32 boats. I attended, and along with some 70 other people, had a very good time. However, Latitude 38, known for it’s La Paz bashing, titled their second hand review of the event as ‘What if Your Threw a Party and Nobody Came?’ The logistics of sponsoring an event of this size on a remote location and the diminished cruising crowd made Island Madness a one time event.

Days later, a shore based 2003 Race Week attempt was canceled following the opening night festivities, which only a handful of people were said to attend.

‘Loreto Fest’ hung on, as the swan song of the winter cruising season. But, it too has been challenged by anchorage limitations and the addition of mooring fees. In recent years rumors persisted within weeks of the event that it may or may not even take place.

Today both of these events are trying to make this year something memorable. The La Paz event has been renamed ‘Bay Fest’ and ‘Loreto Fest’ has evolved into a music and art festival of local and cruising talent. With an increasing percentage of gringos now land based in Baja, it probably makes sense for these events to move to include land lubbers as well.

Organizing and promoting these events has become a much more intensive task than in years past, requiring permits and more formal organization. People have grown to expect more as well, adding to the strain on the volunteers.

The face of the cruiser has changed too. Economic changes in the US and the fact that cruising Mexico just isn’t that cheap anymore has lead to a “graying” of the cruising population. Additionally, an ever increasing number of Mexico boaters are no longer cruisers, but folks who keep their boat here and come for vacations. Both of these reasons have lead to a decreased interest in group functions and multi-day beer fests.

So, with this in mind we have invited the two groups responsible for these events to keep you up to date here, on the Baja Insider. The organizations responsible for these events are Club Cruceros (ClubCruceros.org) in La Paz and Hidden Port Yacht Club (HiddenPortYachtClub.com ) in Loreto.

We encourage these organizations to update us regularly here to get the word out and you our readers to contact these groups and get involved. With everyone’s help, we can make these events worth sailing a thousand miles to attend once again!

Tomas

Loreto Fest May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 2008

Well it is that time of year again!

Below is some information for Loreto Fest. There have been questions and confusion about the cost for mooring at Singlar.
The 12th Loreto Fest will be held at Puerto Escondido May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 2008. Loreto Fest is 4 days of fun and games. It is also has some of the best Music in the Sea. Thursday gets things started and ends with awards on Sunday. There will be Music & more Music, Silent Action on Saturday night, seminars, games, and workshops. Monies generated at Loreto Fest go for education of children in the area.
For more information about HPYC, Loreto Fest:
www.hiddenportyachtclub.com or contact hiddenportyachtclub@hotmail.com

The repair of the moorings will be completed soon, they are over half completed. There are also showers, laundry facilities, pool and WiFi available.

Prices for mooring in the main harbor “Singlar” at the time are:
41 – 50 Feet: Weekly: 2.67 P per. ft per day for 7 days or more.
51 to 60 Feet: Weekly: 3.00 P per ft. per. day for 7 days or more.
61 to 140 Feet: Weekly: 5 P per ft. per day for 7 days or more.

What happens at Loreto Fest and who is it for? Loreto Fest is for everyone, Adults wanting to play and relax, Family’s to meet and play together, and everyone wishing to meet new and old friends for a few of days of fun and entertainment.

Loreto Fest started with a bay clean up and has grown to a 4 day event. The main event of Loreto Fest. is still the Bay Clean up and surrounding Tierra firma. There is the Ham Radio test, and Green T-Shirt award, Mexican Train, Baja Rummy, Chess, Horseshoes, Over the Line, Candeleros Regatta, Dinghy-Kayak parade, Beading classes, Water color workshop, Slow jam session, Music harmony workshop, Basic Guitar workshop, seminars on Water Makers, Mexican Weather, and Hardy Auto Pilot. There have been fishing tying and writing workshops.

Events

Music – Entertainment
Bay Clean Up
Chance for FREE MOORING during Loreto Fest
Third Annual Candelaros Classic Regatta
Schedule to be posted. If you wish to participate - Registration can be via Email to HPYC: hiddenportyachtclub@hotmail.com

Events (cont)

Bead - Craft Workshops – Seminars – Music WorkshopsHam Testing New or Upgrade
Spam Contest
Chili Cook-Off
Silent Action – Swap Meet - Quilt Project
Water Volley Ball – Karaka Parade
Board – Water – Team Games - Workshops, and Seminars, will be scheduled thru-out the weekend.  There are going to be a few new games and contests this year to play and compete in. Watch www.hiddenportyachtclub.com for Schedule of Events.
Events for Kids
T-Shirts – Burgees – Packages- Membership –Hot Dogs – Beer – Etc.

Thursday May 4

Ham Test - Chili Cook Off: Chili with Coleslaw and Corn Bread - Music - Will be a sing-along

Friday May 5

Spaghetti Dinner: Green Salad and Garlic Bread – Music

Saturday May 6

Ballet Folklorico de la Casa Cultural - Dinner to be announced – Music "Theme will be Sock Hop" and we will feature 50's, 60's and 70's music for your dancing pleasure.

Sunday May 7

Pancake Breakfast with Sausage - Pot Luck Dinner - Awards - Music

People joining the club, (Membership - $10.00 a year) attending Loreto Fest, purchasing burgees, T-Shirts and participating makes everything possible. Becoming a member of HPYC not only can help many others, proceeds from Loreto Fest go to the Local Community and Schools.  HPYC is an internationally recognized club with privileges at other Marina’s. Children under 18 are considered Jr. Members. A membership entitles you to free meals at L.F. also

Email US: We found last year a head count before L.F. was most helpful if you are going to attend Loreto Fest, Please email us.

If you would like to play music, work on a committee or hold a seminar contact:  hiddenportyachtclub@hotmail.com

Thanks and see you there!!

Attention all Musicians:

Loreto Fest has also come to mean a “Music Fest” There is music and a special appearance of the Casa de Cultura local dancers. Also, entertainment skits have been performed.

The following is from Jim “Priority” (2-18-06)

1.  We will begin rehearsals on or about April 1, a month before LF.  Rehearsals will last 3-5 hours a day, starting at 1:00PM and we'll take Sunday off.  Rehearsals will be split up with two days a week being devoted to vocals and two days a week for instrumentalists.  The vocalists will need to hone their work, including arranging for backup/harmony singers.  I expect there to be some overlap because the vocalists will want someone to play during their rehearsals.  Also some do both vocals and instruments.  That makes up four of the six days each week.  The other two days will be set aside for both the vocalists and the instrumentalists to work together.

2.  I need a song list from each performer a week before the fest so we can arrange Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday.  We will welcome early comers as well as late comers but if a performer doesn't show up early enough to get me a song list in time he/she will play on Sunday night.

3.  Thursday evening will be a sing-along.  That worked well last year and Jay & Harriet on Claudacious will be bringing a Karaoke machine which displays the words thru a TV set and they have a flat-screen TV.

4.  I am hoping to have a Gospel Half-Hour on Sunday morning.  I'd like as many musicians as possible to do gospel music.

5.  Saturday night's theme will be 'Sock Hop' and we will feature 50's, 60's and 70's music for your dancing pleasure
 

The La Paz Bay Fest April 20-24, 2006

Click here to see an updated Schedule of Events released 03/12/06

Everyone is invited to the 2006 La Paz Bay Fest April 20-24 where, on beaches of Ensenada de La Paz, cruisers and land-based members can equally enjoy the activities and camaraderie.

After many years of fun and frolic at the islands of La Paz, the last Sea of Cortez Race Week was held in 2002. For several reasons this event did not happen for a couple of years. In 2005, Club Cruceros de La Paz and Paradise Found put their collective toes into the water and decided to set up a little different event on the beaches of La Paz to replace Race Week.

The La Paz Bay Fest had it’s debut beginning April 14, falling between the Banderas Bay Regatta in March and the Loreto Fest in May. The La Paz Bay Fest hosted three days of events. There were dinghy races, a scavenger hunt, blindfolded dinghy rowing contest and a GPS poker run. Beach games, dominoes, and children’s games occurred each day. The twice daily seminars included information about diving spots in the Sea of Cortez, first aid and treatment for sea stings, wireless internet, knot tying, traveling Mainland Mexico by car, and a presentation by a panel of cruisers who had spent previous summers up in the Sea. Potlucks, food contests, and good music were enjoyed nightly.

On the 4th day a handful of sailboats raced from Roco Lobos, an area about 10 miles from the inner bay, to Marina de La Paz and became the first entrants in the ‘Rock to the Dock’ race.

Feedback from those that attended this event was very positive with many requests to do it again. After enjoying this successful Bay Fest some moved on to Loreto Fest while others stayed in La Paz, with many good memories and new or renewed friendships.

Please visit their website at www.clubcruceros.org.