The Wandering Disciple

A powerboat passes through the New Pass inlet on the way to the Gulf of Mexico for the 2018 Sarasota Power Boat Grand Prix. The annual offshore race takes place off Lido Key during the July 4th holiday weekend and brings hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators to the islands for some exciting racing just feet from the beaches. While the races are a good time for all, they also are for a good cause as they benefit local children's charities. (Photo: June 30, 2018)

Sarasota, Florida: Nothing rings in Independence Day on the Suncoast like the sound of power boats filling the air.   An annual tradition in Sarasota for the past 34 years, the Sarasota Power Boat Grand Prix is much more than just a boat race, it’s a week long holiday celebration that benefits a good cause, the Suncoast Charities for Children. The event kicked off last Saturday with the Bob Rizi Memorial Golf Classic at the Meadows Country Club followed by a Classic Car Show at Robarts Arena the next day as well as a boat and personal watercraft fun run on Sarasota Bay on the same day.   During the week, the focus shifted to the kids on Wednesday with a Friendliest Catch Fishing Tornament for children with special needs.   There was a chance to get your laughs in with a comedy night at McCurdy’s before the focus shifted to racing with the Kick-off party on Thursday followed by a full day of festivities on Friday including a Meet and Greet, Boats by the Bay Pit Par...

Miss Geico sits in the dry pits during the Sarasota Power Boat Grand Prix.  The race team founded in 2005 and sponsored by that popular tiny gecko is a popular competitor on the power boat circuit.  Miss Geico has won 8 world championships including 5 in a row from 2006-2010.  (Photo: July 8, 2013)

The boats of the Sarasota Off-Shore Grand Prix dazzle the crowds each year during the July 4th holiday weekend. (Photo: July 4, 2015)

Sarasota, Florida: For three days during the July 4th weekend, the usually quiet waters of the Gulf of Mexico roared to life with the sound of power boats as the Sarasota Power Boat Grand Prix took to the waters off Lido Key. This year’s event is the 31st annual power boat race and featured an all new format for 2015. The festivities surrounding the event began even before the boats hit the water with a golf tournament, car show, motorcycle run, fishing competition, block parties and a parade of boats down Main Street. All of these just leading up to the main event, two action packed days of racing. Due to the departure of Super Boat International, the Sarasota Power Boat Grand Prix welcomed the P1 Superstock series and the AquaX Series to the event raising the event to include eight classes of boats. After the thrilling action on the waters, the racers met at the Sandcastle Resort to crown the event winners. Here are the boats that were honored on the podium: Supercat F...