Save the dates for LIV Columbus Day Cruising Regatta!
October 11 & 12, 2008; Awards Party October 18

THE COLUMBUS DAY REGATTA AND HOW IT BEGAN

In 1952, a group of Miamians armed with $19 worth of postage stamps, a bronze statue created by an Italian Count and a lot of enthusiasm set out to honor Christopher Columbus.

The Italian Consul in Miami, Dr. J.M. Gaetani, organized the Citizens Committee, Inter American Observance, to erect a statue honoring Columbus in Miami's Bayfront Park. The City of Miami contributed the site but no funds, so Dr. Gaetani's committee began a lively fundraising mail campaign. Postage was much cheaper then -- and the $19 investment paid off nicely.

Count Vittorio de Colbertaldo of Rome was commissioned to create the 27 foot bronze of Christopher Columbus; it was unveiled on October 12, 1952 in Bayfront Park.

The next year the committee, under the leadership of Timothy J. Sullivan voted to sponsor a sailing regatta as part of the annual program. Thus the Columbus Day Regatta was born.

On October 9, 1954, the first Columbus Day Regatta started with 24 boats. In 1978, a record 550 boats competed in what has become one of Biscayne Bay's highlight events of the year. In 1992, the Columbus Day Regatta, getting ready to honor the 500th anniversary of that small boat cruise in 1492, (from Europe to the New World) was rudely interrupted by the arrival of Hurricane Andrew. Racing began again in 1993, and is again becoming a popular event.