Vroom-vroom. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
The sounds of super-charged boats revving across Oak Harbor waters will not filter their way to my home on Penn Cove this summer.
The annual Hydros for Heroes event, set to go down August 16-17, will instead sit out the summer.
The cancellation of what was to be the 10th edition of the revved-up fundraiser was announced Tuesday.
“This difficult decision was made after careful consideration of some unexpected events beyond our control,” said officials on the Hydros for Heroes Facebook page.
“While we were looking forward to another memorable event, circumstances outside of our control have made it impossible to proceed at the level we feel this sport and community deserve.
“We understand how disappointing this is for our supporters, sponsors, vendors, the heroes and children we aim to honor and support and certainly do not take this decision lightly.”
The event, which promotes water-based sports and funds college scholarships for graduating seniors, while celebrating first responders, was launched by Oak Harbor realtors Craig McKenzie and Jim Woessner.
It put the spotlight on law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, military, healthcare professionals, and teachers — “heroes who make a huge impact in our community every day through their service and sacrifice.”
The two-day shindig has brought in 50 regional race teams and approximately 10,000 fans to Whidbey on a yearly basis.
While the Hydros for Heroes team has scrapped this year’s plans, they hope someone else will revive things down the road.
“It is our hope that we can find an organization, individual or group of individuals to take on this great event and continue to grow what we have worked very hard to build over the past nine years.
“It truly was an honor and privilege to be able to do so.
“Hopefully we are able to pass the torch to another willing and able victim/community supporter!”
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