Dates Set for ’09 Sailfest

Are you already dreading the end of this wonderfully warm summer? If so, perhaps you should begin planning a mid-winter getaway to a sun-kissed destination like Zihuatanejo — ideally timed with the five-day Zihua Sailfest, slated for February 3-8 next year.

As regular readers know, this annual affair draws dozens of cruising boats to Zihua each year, as well of several hundred shoreside vacationers who make pilgrimages south of the border specifically to join in the Z-fest action.

While the festival’s daily activities focus on lighthearted fun, its most important function is to raise funds in support of drastically underfunded local schools. As much as $90,000 has been raised during recent Sailfests.

Following an evening kick-off party on Tuesday, February 3, activities will include a Parade of Sail, a sailboat race, a dinner concert, a chili cook-off and an auction. Latitude is working with expats-in-residence to add one or two more sailing elements to the mix in order to make the shindig even more enticing to cruisers.

Although the festival’s website has not yet been updated — we hear they are in need of a volunteer webmaster — look for futher info here, and in the pages of Latitude 38 magazine.