40th and Final Great Dock Canoe Race Right Around the Corner

NAPLES, Fla. - April 12, 2016 - PRLog -- The annual Naples tradition, the Great Dock Canoe Race (GDCR), will celebrate its 40th and Final community event on Saturday, May 14, 2016. Registration is now open to participate in the event. What started in the Spring of 1977 as an end-of-season celebration of The Dock at Crayton Cove's inaugural year, now draws thousands of spectators by land and bay to watch competitors participate in canoe races in various categories such as; ambitious amateurs, truly tenacious, and practically professionals. A parade of theme-decorated canoes is also a crowd favorite.

Race entry forms are available online at GreatDockCanoeRace.com as well as at The Dock at Crayton Cove, Riverwalk at Tin City, Norris Center, Fleischmann Park, Naples City Hall and the Chamber Visitors Center at 2390 Tamiami Trail North, Ste 210 (I went to Four Corners today, and they'd moved out!  Now only at this address in the GNCC building). Entrants must be 18 years or older, unless competing in the "Next Generation" class (12-17 year olds with parent/guardian;) Truly Tenacious racers must both be 65 years or over. The registration fee for each two-person team is $40, which includes a T-shirt for each competitor. A limited number of rental canoes are also available by calling (239) 404-6718.

Each year, the GDCR has a theme, which serves as the inspiration for the decorated canoes that compete for the best-dressed $1,000 prize. This year, the theme will be "The Last Dance" evoking the disco era in which the GDCR was first launched (1977) and coincidentally a famous 1970s Donna Summer song. The poster artwork for the 40th and Final Great Dock Canoe Race is designed by local artist, Jeff Fessenden. Participants of the GDCR will create their best 1970s interpretation of the theme in their canoe designs and costumes. Long-time emcee, Vin DePasquale, will be joined for the fourth year by co-emcee Jerry Conti and State Representative Kathleen Passidomo will serve as Grand Marshal.

An important element of the GDCR is the $5,000 grant awarded to a worthy children's charity each year. This year's beneficiary will be NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Funds raised from the GDCR will be used to provide mental health screenings and education for local children dealing with mental health issues. Each year NAMI is able to help 16,000 local community members, 90 percent of whom are below the poverty level.

Founded and sponsored by The Dock at Crayton Cove, the 2016 Race is co-sponsored by Riverwalk at Tin City. Confirmed sponsors so far are Lutgert Insurance/Lutgert Companies/Premier Sotheby's International Realty (put Lutgert Insurance first) and Childs & Childs Cosmetic Dentistry (co-sponsors VIP Sprint), Sunshine Ace Hardware and Wynn's Family Market (theme co-sponsors), Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (Next Generation race), Pure Florida (Practically Professionals race), Wiegold One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating (Ambitious Amateurs race), Naples Extreme Family Fun Spot (safety boats), Hyatt House Naples will be sponsoring the trolley shuttle and long-time supporter, Renda Broadcasting, will once again be the radio sponsor. Florida Weekly will be a media sponsor and The City of Naples also is a generous long-time sponsor of the GDCR. The EMS truck, t-shirt sales tent and beer sales will all be sponsored by Coastal Beverage, tents by Taylor Rental/Party Plus, and canoeists' water by Kinetico.

Please visit GreatDockCanoeRace.com for more information on the GDCR.

ABOUT THE DOCK AT CRAYTON COVE

Located on 12th Avenue South at the City Dock, The Dock at Crayon Cove is a little piece of Naples' history. As The Real Taste of Naples®, The Dock offers guests what Naples is all about - Bay views, great food and a laid-back attitude. A trip to Naples just isn't complete without a visit to the Dock. Opening at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner daily. The Dock also offers a Naples-style Sunday Brunch with a Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar at 10:30 a.m. For more information visit dockcraytoncove.com (http://www.dockcraytoncove.com/) or call (239) 263-9940.

ABOUT RIVERWALK AT TIN CITY

Located at 1200 5th Avenue South and overlooking the Gordon River, Riverwalk is part of Naples' past.  Tin City, the quaint shopping area in which we're located, was built in the 1940s as a working dock and the site of Doxsee's Clam Factory. Today, planked floors, maritime artifacts and handrails carved by artist Clint Beatty echo this rich history. Riverwalk truly is "The Flavor of the Gulf Coast® and a getaway from the everyday. Opening at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner daily and at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for Brunch with a Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar.  For more information please visit riverwalktincity.com or call (239) 263-2734.