The 6th annual Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta continues this month and next with a series of exciting on-the-water and shore-side events, capped by Regatta Weekend in Deltaville, July 9-10.

Coming up in June is a brand-new addition to this year's line up of regatta events, Leukemia Cup Night at the Ball Park," takes place Saturday night, June 19th. "Our goal is to reach out to increased numbers of people, sailors and non-boaters alike, who might want to support us in this important fundraising cause," says Brenda Coffman, coordinator of the baseball event. ‘We have learned that many, many people will take part if we provide events they can get behind, enjoy and support." Tickets for the game between the Virginia League Deltaville Deltas and the Fredericksburg Meadow Farm team are just $4.00.

Other regatta highlights during June include a Junior Sail-a-thon for elementary school aged children at Fishing Bay Yacht Club on Thursday afternoon, June 24th and an Arts at Fishing Bay party, featuring area artwork and handicrafts, for sale at 6:30pm on Wednesday, June 30th at FBYC.

Regatta Weekend opens with a Welcome Reception and live and silent auction at the Deltaville Fire House at 7:00pm, Friday, July 9. Crab cakes and refreshments will be available, and there will be an extensive array of gifts and crafts on sale during the auctions. Admission is free.

Sailing Saturday, July 10, begins with registration and a continental breakfast at 8:00am and a skipper's meeting at 10:00am at Fishing Bay Yacht Club. VIP/Spectator boats will leave FBYC at 10:00am to be on hand to watch the races, which are scheduled to begin at 11:00am. A new addition to the fleet this year is a Classic Yacht class, featuring wooden sailboats and others more than 25 years old. Organizers believe this group of boats will be exciting to watch as observers get a chance to watch several rare and treasured vessels, many of them restored to pristine condition, in action.

Registration fees for sailors are $100.00 for fundraising boats and $50.00 for racing honors boats. VIP/Spectator Boat tickets are $50.00, which includes lunch and refreshments. The top fundraiser will be presented with the coveted Leukemia Cup Trophy and an all-expenses-paid Caribbean cruise, sponsored by The Moorings. Several other incentives are also planned, including a Fantasy Sail with Gary Jobson at Sanibel Island, Florida, later in the year.

The Grand Gala and Awards Ceremony takes place the evening of Saturday, July 10 at Stingray Harbor Marina in Deltaville. Refreshments and a full dinner will be served and there will be music and dancing. Awards and prizes will be presented to the leading racers and top fundraisers. The event, which is open to the public, begins at 5:00pm and dinner tickets are just $20.00. Last year's regatta raised more than $128,000 for leukemia research and patient care in Virginia. And, this year regatta organizers are hoping the various events will raise $150,000.

Registration is now open for all of this year's events. Please contact Kristin Stokes, regatta coordinator, at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society office at (800) 766-0797 or e mail her at stokesk@lls.org. And, we hope to see you at all of this year's regatta events.