The 53rd Annual Stephen C. Smith Memorial Regatta happens this weekend just off Wakulla County's Shell Point. This year's event, benefitting the families of cancer patients, will also honor the memory of a longtime supporter who also lost his fight with the disease.
The regatta is named for Stephen Smith, a devoted local sailor who died at age 29 of a rare form of leukemia. And event chair John McBride says all the proceeds from the event are kept close to home.
"These funds are used locally in a 5-county area to provide for gap services. Such as somebody may need a ride to the doctor. Things like providing lodging and even nights at some extended stays to help these families."
And this year, McBride says the regatta's theme is "The Race for Wright." That refers to Wright Finney, a guiding light at the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering and longtime friend of the Big Bend sailing community. He died - of cancer - a few months ago.