NEWPORT, RI – Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center, will host the “Bermuda Bash” fundraiser from 8 p.m. to Midnight on Saturday, May 13, at the Newport Yachting Center. The benefit for Sail Newport is a celebration of the centennial Bermuda ocean race which starts outside of Newport on June 16. The gala is to benefit the public sailing programs for youth and adults at Sail Newport for the 2006 season.

Sail Newport Executive Director, Brad Read says, “The long history of ocean racing to Bermuda deserves to be celebrated. The Bermuda Bash will honor the history of this prestigious race and will raise funds to continue to train the sailors of the future.”

The party will feature decorations in the elegantly tropical Bermuda-style, entertainment by the popular reggae band “Hot Like Fire,” island hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar including Mt. Gay and Heineken cocktails. In addition the evening will feature a silent auction including such items as a vacation in Bermuda at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, an American Cruise Lines tour of the historic south, a week-long stay in a private villa in Manzanillo, Mexico, a trip to New York to see the Conan O’Brien Show taping at NBC Studios, art, jewelry, sailing gear and many other items.

In honor of the race, the Cruising Club of America will loan an historical photography exhibit of the prestigious race to display at the event. Also, local photographers Onne van der Wal and Billy Black will show Bermuda race shots from their many years of covering the race.

Dress for the event is “Bermuda Cocktail Attire,” and jackets are requested. Tickets to the event are $55 for individual and $500 for a “Boatload” of ten.

Sail Newport has recruited sponsors for the event including the Newport Yachting Center, Newport Tent, IYAC, Café Zelda’s, Mt. Gay, Heineken, Global Financial Services, American Mussel Harvesters, Inc., 6 Square Design & Communications and PDQ Printing.

The group of donors to the silent auction includes American Cruise Lines, Artist Mark Fernandez, Artist Tony Gill, Artist Johnny MacGowan, Blink Gallery, Body Matters Day Spa, Barry and Boyle Resortwear, Boston Red Sox, Brick Alley Pub, CK Bradley, Commodore’s Inn-Vermont, Comptoir de Famille, Conanicut Marina, Copperfield’s Bar of Boston, CORE Pilates, Baseball Hall of Famer - Dennis Eckersley, Erica Zap Collection, Franklin and Company, H2O, Harken, Hinckley, Innerlight Center for Yoga, Boston Intercontinental Hotel, Island Outfitters, Joe Harris-Gryphon Solo, Ki-Ra Salon, KVH, Men’s Hair Quarters, Monica Rodger’s Little Bits, NBC Conan O’Brien Show, Newport International Boat Show, Newport Spring Boatshow, Onne van der Wal, Pink Pineapple, Ronstan, Sugar of Newport, Team ABN AMRO, Team One Newport, Thames Street Glass, The Chanler-Spiced Pear Restaurant, The Charles Hotel Boston, The Leever Family, The Sports Edition, Trattoria Simpatico, Trident Studios, U.S. Women’s Open, 12 Meter Charters, 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, and The Swizzle Inn.

Additional companies supporting the Sail Newport Bermuda Bash include Aardvark Antiques, ATR Treehouse, Bermuda Dept. of Tourism, Blue Rocks Catering, Clarke Cooke House, Crystal Spring Water Co., Falvey Lines, Hyatt Regency Newport, Max’s Market, Newport Marriott Hotel, Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Panera Bread, Quantum Sails andTricia’s Tropigrille.

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