PLACENCIA LOBSTERFEST 2008 IS

A ROUSING SUCCESS DESPITE ALL ODDS



30 June, 2008: Placencia Lobsterfest 2008, an annual fund-raiser event co-sponsored by the Placencia Chapter BTIA and the Placencia Village Council, completed its 3-day weekend with a record turnout despite rain, wind, and a washed out (again!) Kendal Bridge on the Southern Highway that challenged the event coordinators to find a way to get the participants from Belize City, Corozol and San Ignacio down to Placencia in time for their presentations.



Two major bands, the New Creation Band and the Gilharry 7 Band showed their mettle when they and their truckloads of equipment had to be ferried across the Kendal River and back again in 25' fishing skiffs, taking a total of 11 round-trips across the swift-moving river. The Placencia crowd showed their appreciation with full participation in all planned activities, including three nights of dancing until the wee hours, a two-day fishing tournament with over $8,000 in prizes, and the country's largest raffle with over 80 donated prizes.



Opening Ceremonies included remarks by Minister and Area Representative Melvin Hulse, Minister "Boots" Martinez, and Cadet Henderson. The Belize National Anthem was sung by visiting guest Lila Vernon.



Winners of the Fishing Tournament include "Coulton's Reef" captained by Alfred Williams, who was awarded the Best Boat of the tournament with 140.5 points and awarded $2500 cash and 20 gallons of fuel from Shell Placencia as well as the prizes for the Highest Scoring Extraordinary Fish a 28# 2oz Wahoo as well as the Heaviest Fish of the Tournament given by Marelco & Yamaha. Other prize winners include the "Leonora" with the Largest Barracuda and Barefoot Beach Bar's Ladies Luck prize for Heaviest Fish Caught by a Woman for their 19 # 8 oz barracuda, the "Nia" with the Largest Kingfish weighing in at 10 #.



The grand prize Raffle winner was local resident Mary Rudon. Ms. Rudon won a day sail for 6 people courtesy of The Moorings Belize Ltd - w/ $100 Gift Certificate to Wallen's Market, $100 Cash Prize from Joy Tours, $100 Cash Prize from Ocean's Edge, & Ray's case of Beer.



Other activities included a Children's Olympics sponsored by Reagan International and the Peninsula Club of Belize, Kids Games organized by Progressive Youths of Placencia, the First Annual Lobster Cook-Off sponsored by Wallen's Market and Hokey Pokey Water Taxi, the Tipsy Tuna Toss sponsored by Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar, Kayak Race sponsored by the Driftwood Bar and Seaspray Hotel, a Tug-o-War Tournament sponsored by Yearwood Properties, De'Tach Seafood Bar & Grill and Bowen & Bowen, a Rubber Ducky Race, Saturday night fireworks and Sunday afternoon music by Placencia's very own Inner Vibrations. Love-FM broadcasted live all three days of the event.



Placencia BTIA and Placencia Village Council give a Big Up to all participants, sponsors and guests, and will donate a portion of the funds raised to the victims of the tragic flooding in the Stann Creek District last month.


For more information please contact James Cleve Westby at Placencia Tourism Center: 523-4045



Join us for Placencia Lobsterfest 2009 - June 26th, 27th & 28th!!