They lined up along the docks of the Tarpon Point Marina to get a look at million dollar yachts, eat free pizza and take in the views of the Caloosahatchee River on a warm Saturday afternoon.
Celebrating National Marina Day, Tarpon Point opened its doors to the public to help kick off this burgeoning nationwide holiday which started in 2001.
Harbormaster Dennis Raney said the turnout was better than expected, estimating the event drew upwards of 300 people to Tarpon Point’s docks.
“We really didn’t know what to expect,” Raney said. “For a lot of people it gives them a chance to check us out. But that’s the point. The purpose is to open up the general public and say, come on down.”
Though construction isn’t quite complete at Tarpon Point, boaters and marina lovers will have something to look forward to.
Along with residential, Tarpon Point boasts what will be the Cape’s only full service water front hotel, set to be complete in November, with a grand opening to follow on New Year’s Eve.
Until then, boaters had to settle for National Marina Day, a day that Dennis Raney considers a huge success.
He said he measured it by the number of hotdogs given away that day, and the fact that he had to send someone to the store on two separate occasions to buy more.
Looking ahead to next year, when construction will be complete, Raney laughs at how he underestimated the number of people that would show up for Tarpon Point’s inaugural National Marina Day.
“Next year, it’ll be even more of a community event,” Raney said, laughing. “They won’t run out of hot dogs next year, I promise you that.”
For more information on National Marina Day, visit: marinaasociation.org. To learn more about Tarpon Point visit their Web site at: tarponpoint.com and: tarponpointmarina.com.