Don’t Delay Delta Doin’s
As we noted last week and in March’s Sightings, registration for this year’s Delta Doo Dah will open tomorrow, March 11, at noon at www.deltadoodah.com. Once again, the event will be a do-it-yourself affair that runs from May 24 through September 7 and is open to all, but that doesn’t mean you should wait to get your summer plans firmed up. There’s plenty to do up-Delta all summer, and if you don’t set up marina reservations in advance, you might miss out.
Take Isleton’s Cajun & Blues Festival, for example. This annual music and food extravaganza runs June 14-15 directly across from B&W Resort on the Mokelumne River on Brannan Island. Now one might think that with so many keelboat-accessible marinas on the Delta Loop — B&W, Lighthouse, Willow Berm, Korth’s, Spindrift and Owl Harbor — finding a guest berth at the last minute wouldn’t be an issue. But we’d bet good money that hundreds of boaters will be making plans early to take their dads out for a good time on Father’s Day weekend!
To make the weekend extra-tasty for Doo Dah’ers, Owl Harbor Marina‘s harbormaster Devery Stockon is planning a very special event to coincide with the Cajun & Blues Festival. On June 14, she and her fabulous staff will be putting on a BBQ lunch under the cover of a tent, complete with a band, dancing and prizes. "That will leave time for folks to catch the shuttle to the festival to enjoy an evening of music," she said, noting that the free shuttle will stop at select businesses along the Delta Loop on its way to the venue.
But there’s a catch: The party is only open to Owl Harbor tenants and registered Delta Doo Dah’ers — Devery will not be taking non-Doo Dah reservations for that weekend at all! But registration for the Delta Doo Dah is free and easy, and Devery recommends making your reservations at Owl Harbor early as guest berthing is very limited. You can contact her at (916) 777-6055 or via email.
As a longtime sponsor of the event, Owl Harbor will be offering Doo Dah’ers a special summer-long discount of 50% off your second night, with a two-night minimum. This is on top of everything else they have to offer — free use of bikes to ride around the property, free farm-fresh eggs from the marina’s hens, free veggies from the community garden ‘produce stand,’ free use of horseshoe pits, BBQ pits and picnic areas, and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. The stunning sunsets and the hooting of resident owls are Mother Nature’s contributions to the marina’s charms. "When Doo Dah’ers come to the office to check in," adds Devery, "they’ll also get a special gift!"
If you’re planning a trip to the Delta this summer anyway — or your yacht club is planning a cruise-out — sign up for the Doo Dah and take advantage of sponsors’ great offers. You can stay up-to-date on all the goings-on at www.facebook.com/deltadoodah. And do yourself a favor — don’t wait!