Salina — At last month’s Planning and Economic Development meeting we received some wonderful news from Syracuse Media Group and the Syracuse Chargers Rowing organization. A corporate regatta has been scheduled for July 16, 2016, in conjunction with the Chargers summer Corporate Rowing League. The Corporate Rowing League runs from May through July, culminating with the 24 corporate teams competing with other teams from across the nation in the inaugural Onondaga Cup Regatta.
The inaugural Onondaga Cup is unique in that it will host 32 corporate rowing teams, competing head-to-head in a bracket-style elimination throughout the day with only two teams vying for the cup at night, under the lights. Along the race course, vendors, entertainment, music, food, champagne and a beer garden will be available. Additionally, a VIP tent will be set up at the finish line. The VIP experience will be the main draw — it will require a ticket to attend, a traditional dress code will be mandatory and it will offer big band music, wine tastings, cocktails, seafood and charitable betting on the races. The VIP concept is mirrored after Galway, Ireland’s International Oyster Festival.
The investments Onondaga County made, and continues to make, in Onondaga Lake have turned our one-time liability in to a long-term asset. The addition of the Lakeview Amphitheater, the Loop-the-Lake trail expansion and hosting the first regatta in decades when the 2015 U.S. Rowing Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships came to Syracuse earlier this year, confirms that the lake can be an economic driver for our region. Regattas can be multi-day or all day events that encourage participants and spectators to spend the night and enjoy the restaurants, shops, and other attractions Syracuse has to offer. The legislature has been at the forefront of promoting Onondaga Lake as an asset with investments in the Syracuse Chargers Boathouse and acquiring a seven-lane rowing course. Without these investments, we would not be able to attract regattas, which have the potential to bring millions of dollars to our community.
I look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to Syracuse with our latest endeavor, the Onondaga Cup in July of next year. I hope to see you there!
Kathy Rapp represents the fifth district, which includes portions of the towns of Salina, Cicero and DeWitt. Kathy welcomes constituent feedback; she can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 451-5294.
