Big Weekend in Old Homosassa

Terry and I are in the habit of riding our bicycles down to the public boat ramp in Old Homosassa on weekend mornings.  We like to visit with our neighbors and watch the boaters put their vessels into the water.  On typical days, experienced captains quickly maneuver their trailers into the water and launch their boats.  Calmness ensues.

The boat ramp
The boat ramp last Sunday morning.
View from the ramp to the river
View from the ramp to the river.

This Saturday will not be one of those typical days, as we have two popular events taking place in Old Homosassa.  The first is the Homosassa River Fireworks Fest and the second is the opening of scalloping season.  Usually the season starts on July 1st but Gov. Scott has moved it to this Saturday, June 28th.  Both occasions bring masses of people to our little village. 

The fun for the festival starts at 8 AM with the poker run registration and the day culminates in a fireworks display scheduled for 9:15 PM.  Many of the local bars and restaurants have joined in the festivities with events scheduled throughout the day. 

Meanwhile, scallopers will be trying to put their boats in at a public boat ramp then find parking for their vehicle and trailer.    We have two county boat ramps, one right in Old Homosassa on Cherokee Way and the other at the end of Mason Creek Road.  Neither ramp has adequate parking for the demand. 

So now we have trucks with trailers trying to find spaces to park plus the visitors coming in just for the Fireworks Fest.  Could be chaos! 

There have been plenty of issues in the past—long lines of vehicles with boats blocking the streets;  fights at the boat ramp; parking illegally on the sidewalks and private property; and trash thrown about indiscriminately are just a few examples.   There is also the impact on the Homosassa River with all these extra boats. 

This year is supposed to be different.  During  scallop season there will be county staff stationed at the boat ramp from 7 AM to 7 PM on weekends and on holidays to keep traffic on the boat ramp flowing and scallop cleaners off of the public dock.  In addition, the Sheriff’s department will be patrolling the area. 

I love the fun opportunities we have in Old Homosassa and usually try to attend all local events.  I think it’s great that the influx from the scalloping helps the local economy, but the local homeowners shouldn’t have to suffer.  Optimistically, additional county staff and Sheriff Patrols will help keep things under control.

New Paver Patio
New Paver Patio at the Shed
Sunday
Last Sunday morning calmness at the Shed

 

Our Weekend

Our weekend started with picking Jes and Andrew up at the airport on Thursday.  Followed by them picking up friends, Cat, Steve and baby Lucy.  They didn’t make it to the Jesandy Jubilee last year because Lucy was born in April.  So they all got together to experience Homosassa.

It was also Jessica’s birthday week so we had a surprise party at the Shed!  Everyone was required to wear crazy hats!

Surprise bday party

Birthday cake

wine
Official wine for upcoming event????

Saturday was the annual family cook-out and corn hole tournament!

Jack and Grandpa

Willow

Lu

 corn hole

Three monkeys

cake stand

Group

 And then it was Sunday, Father’s Day!

Lu’s first boat ride and dip into the spring.

Homosassa Springs

Anyone that might have looked at this post before 8 am on Monday might have thought it looked at little incomplete.  While I was working on it Sunday evening, happy hour started and I thought I’d be back, but no.  Here I am Monday AM!  Yawn! 

We had such a great Father’s Day Weekend.  We had SO much fun.  (Did I mention that Steve, Andrew, and Jes are awesome chefs and besides what I threw in the crockpot, did all the cooking? So besides shrimp brought in from the Freezer and chicken wings from the Shed, all meals were made right here in my kitchen.  So much YUM!)  Jes, Andrew, Cat and Steve are already planning a reunion next year!

Cobia Tournament

OMG!  This weekend was the Cobia Tournament.  This is the BIG tournament for Old Homosassa.  While there are two places to start out from, everyone has to take their boat to MacRae’s to get their fish weighed.  The excitement starts Friday night with two captains meetings. Which means that everyone that is in the tournament is hanging out at the Shed.

We went to the Shed Friday evening to meet up with friends and check out the band.  No parking.  No tables.  Glad we rode our bikes.  We ended up sitting at the picnic table at the Bait Shop.  Craziness.  Got a picture of these guys as they came in.

Red Snapper
This guide, Zack, he’s the guy in the back on the left and is about 21 years old, went out 105 miles to catch these red snapper. WOW!

It’s the tradition to get down to MacRae’s before 7 am on Saturday morning so we can watch the captains go out.  We barely got there in time.  We slept in a bit later than normal–could be from going to the Shed the evening before!

The Start
The Start
Waiting
Waiting for their numbers to be called.
They are off
And they’re off! Almost as exciting as the Belmont!
The locals
The Locals.  See how far Gus and Maggie are from each other?  Gus really wants to be friends with the Magster but she’s not having anything to do with that!
Ladies in Pink
My favorite team, I call them the Ladies in Pink. They always have a drink while they go by the starting line!
MacRae's new patio
MacRae’s have put in a new paver patio. Nice.  And there’s the stage and a tented eating area.  So calm.  So empty.
Cobia tournament
Compass

On Sunday I rode my bike back to MacRae’s.  About 3:30.  I knew that the captains have to be in by 4 to have their catch weighed.  Thought that would be fun.  Not so much fun.  I don’t know where all of these people parked, but it couldn’t be legally!  Plus they were way ahead of me on the beer consumption.

Cobia tournament
There’s that tented eating area!
Cobia tournament
And the Shed.
Cobia tournament
Judge’s stand at 3:30.
Cobia tournament
Some of the catch

It was hot.  It was crowded.  I went home.  Yes, I’m a party pooper.  I’ll read in the paper who won!