Boaters Against Cancer has expanded event with fireworks in Kendall
Photo courtesy of Dave Bentley: Dave Bentley, right, is pictured with two of his close friends who died of cancer, Scott Harris at left, and Phil Lance. Bentley is part of the Boaters Against Cancer group that has organized a three-day fundraising event from June 29 to July 1 at the Bald Eagle Marina in Kendall.
3-day party includes flotilla, debut of restaurant at marina
KENDALL – There will be fireworks, a large flotilla, live music, a wine- and beer-tasting and the soft opening of a new restaurant.
Those activities – and more – are part of the third annual Boaters Against Cancer fundraising event at Bald Eagle Marina In Kendall from June 29 to July 1.
The marina is the host of the biggest fundraiser for Boaters Against Cancer. The effort started in memory of two long-time boaters at the marina – Scott Harris and Phil Lance – who died about a month apart from cancer.
Dave Bentley was close friends with both of the boaters. Bentley is on the organizing committee for the upcoming three-day event.
“They were two of my best friends,” said Bentley, owner of Bentley Brothers, a Kubota dealership in Albion and Brockport. “We boated together. We travelled together.”
The first two Boaters Against Cancer events raised $30,000 with up to $2,000 available for a boater battling cancer. Those boaters don’t have to be connected to the Bald Eagle Marina.
The lineup of activities for the third annual Boaters Against Cancer events has been expanded. Non-boaters are welcome for many of the activities, including barbecue ribs on Friday, June 29, at the new Lures restaurant at the marina, and a chicken barbecue at Lures on Saturday, June 30. The restaurant won’t officially open until mid-July, said Susan Oschmann, the general manger. It has a special permit for a soft opening to serve food during the Boaters Against Cancer event.
Other highlights of the schedule include:
June 29
• 4 to 7 p.m. – wine- and beer-tasting on the porch
• 4:30 to 6:30 – music with Travis Fitch
• 7 to 10 p.m. – karaoke with Greg and Deb
• 10 p.m. – lantern send off
June 30
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – arts and crafts vendors
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – massages
• 5 p.m. – flotilla
• 7 to 10 p.m. – music with the Kinne Family Band
• 10 p.m. – fireworks
July 1
• 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. – breakfast with Chef Don
• 11 a.m. – duck race
• 11 a.m. – raffle and silent auction ends with the winners announced
Oschmann said she is hopeful other marinas will start Boaters Against Cancer chapters and the events can be coordinated, especially with the flotillas happening at the same time.
“It would be awesome if we could do more,” she said. “We try to do our part and hope others will follow. We want to see a giant flotilla.”
Some of the boaters will take people out in their boats for the flotilla, with a suggested donation that will go towards Boaters Against Cancer.
Oschmann said many boating families have been impacted by cancer. Her father Jim has fought the disease. Jim Oschmann ran the marina for about 20 years. He was also the first to have fireworks at Bald Eagle Marina in the early 1990s. The fireworks on June 30 will be set off from one of the jetties at the marina.
“Boaters are a very close-knit family,” Susan Oschmann said. “When they are affected, they step up and help out.”
For more information on Boaters Against Cancer, click here.
