2009 Riverside
YC Luau
All week the weather forecasts called for a rainy July 18th
week-end. I arrived on Thursday afternoon
by boat and the RYC crew were very busy setting up and preparing for the
week-end late into the night. As other
visiting boaters pulled in on Friday night to partake in an annual event (that
is one of, if not the best event on the river) they secured their lines and
then went about to battening down the hatches preparing for the rain – which did
come, and it came heavy – all the while the RYC crew continued to work on the
grounds and in the outer kitchen. The
Friday night wet dock party was moved inside where RYC put out a $5 buffet and
a Texas Hold’Em game broke out. The Shuffle Board table saw some action as
well. Afterwards, the party then headed back
to the docks where the drinks continued to flow and the music from NHYC’s Frank
& Val’s boat ( Final Answer ) compared to a live concert! I have never heard a better sound system on a
boat. Friday night seemed to never end –
but it did, at what time you ask – I retired at 2:00AM and the diehards were
still going strong!
Saturday morning arrived and the sun was shining bright and the sky was
bright blue - all the while the RYC crew was still working hard setting up the grounds and working
in the outer kitchen (did these guys work thru the night or what ?)
I Hate to jinx RYC, but someone in their organization has an
in with Mother Nature – or someone up there is watching over them as Opening
Days, Closing Days, Luau’s always seem to be predicted wet but the wet never
shows up. There was one year that it
rained at their Crab Feast – ONE YEAR !
LOL
As the 30 or so visiting boats arrived during the day it was
obvious that it was going to be another GREAT WEEK-END at Riverside YC! My Luau Punch started flowing at breakfast and
it put some people down for a power nap . While some napped during the afternoon, others
baked in the sunshine and enjoyed their nectar of choice. Gotta thank the NHYC crew – Tom, Sea Venture,
and Mary C, Serenity who made the dock smell like a floating diner on Saturday
morning.
The Luau Party started at 7:00 and the 300 or so people were
slow to arrive; but once the 2 huge Roasted Pigs made an appearance the crowd
got larger much quicker. The DJ played music
while dinner was being eaten and some got up to dance. As the night grew darker and people continued
to eat and drink - the blenders were buzzing making frozen drinks and the cooks
and pig carver were busy keeping the lines moving.
So far we had great food, great drinks and 10 or so visiting
clubs to mingle with and share some laughs – all in all it was a great evening –
however the Show had not even started – you see, RYC Luau’s are known for their
live shows. Last year we got to see Joan
Rivers, Cher, and even Elvis! This year
we got to see Tina Turner and The Fabulous Blues Brothers! Now you add 2 great shows to the great food ,
good drinks, the camaraderie of boaters from up and down river and you have
another GREAT RYC Luau! BUT – it did not
end there – the fun then moved back to the docks and the party continued and
yet another show was put on onboard The whole lotta T & A (RYCs Ted &
Anita’s boat ). The bridge became the
stage (spotlights and all) and it was put to good use – Lou Turks should start
to worry! All was going good and when Teddy took the
stage and put on his Solo Dance Act in black Speedo and black unbuttoned shirt
- he proved he has seen a few Chippendales Shows in his time. LOL
I retired about 1:00AM and the party was still going strong ….. as I lay in the vee bunk – I thought – what a
great party, another great time at RYC! And all this for $25 ??? Yes, $25 American got me a week-end at a
wonderful club that has wonderful members who go all out to make this event one
that you will remember – what a deal!
A couple people will have fonder memories like Skip (WEBC )
who won the 50-50 of close to $500 and Steve ( NHYC ) who won the 52 inch LCD flat
screen TV ( thought that baby was mine )
LOL
Thank you RYC – especially all those members that worked oh
so hard and late into each night to make this another very successful RYC Luau!
Enjoy The
Pictures….