FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
One of Oceanside’s Yacht Club Founders will be Honorary Commodore for
Harbor Days 2008
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (August 12, 2008) Byron Jessup, a resident of Oceanside California since 1941, will be this year’s Honorary Commodore for Harbor Days on Sept. 20-21, 2008. Mr. Jessup was one of the original twelve boating enthusiasts who met on Feb 6, 1963 with the intent of forming the Oceanside Yacht Club.
On Feb. 27, 1963 the first temporary Board of Directories was formed with Mr. Jessup as the Rear Commodore. The club’s first election took place on June 21, 1963 and Mr. Jessup became the first official Rare Commodore. Mr. Jessup is currently serving as the Senior Commodore at the Oceanside Yacht Club. “Byron Jessup is quite a sailor”, stated Dr. Bob Germann. “Whenever he was in a regatta everyone else knew they were racing for second place.”
Byron Jessup has been sailing his boats from the Oceanside Harbor before it was a harbor. He used to pull his 14’ sailboat into the water and across the sand bar when the land was still owned by Camp Pendleton. Byron Jessup said, “We have the most unique harbor because of its size. In many harbors you put your boat into the water and an hour later you are still heading for the ocean. Here you put your boat in the water and ten minutes later you are in the ocean and can head in any direction you desire. It really is the Jewell of the North”.
Community involvement is important to Mr. Jessup. The Oceanside Yacht Club holds an
annual event and regatta to raise money for the Elizabeth Hospice Foundation. This event
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takes place in April. The Oceanside Yacht Club features a “Yankee Doodle
Dinghy” parade for Freedom Days and the “Parade of Lights” for the Winter
Celebration. The Oceanside Yacht Club also offers sailing classes for all ages starting with
the JR Learn to Sail at 8 yrs of age and up. Every Wednesday night the Yacht Club holds a Beer Can Regatta open to the public. For more information about these events contact the Oceanside Yacht Club at (760) 722-5751 or visit their web-site at http://www.oceansideyc.com/.
Mr. Jessup will be firing the shot to start this years “Nail N’ Snail” race at the Oceanside Harbor Days as he has done every year since the “Nail N Snail” race began. Oceanside Harbor Days will be presented by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce along with the Oceanside Harbor District, Cox Communications and Genentech at the Oceanside Harbor on September 20th and 21st, 2008.
Oceanside Harbor Days will feature arts and craft exhibits, great food and fun activities for the entire family, including “A Pirates Life For Me”. The event is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day and is free to the public. David Nydegger, President and CEO of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce stated, "Harbor Days is the best time for visitors and residents to come and enjoy our Harbor, a true Oceanside Treasure. Two days of fun, frolic, food, and festivities. There is something for everyone. Young, old and everyone in between is sure to find what they are looking for; rides, adventure, shopping, music and relaxation. Harbor Days will have it all."
Harbor Days Sponsors include: Bank of America, Ford, Fun2Go Watercraft Rentals, GEICO, Harbor Village Merchants, Aloha Restaurants, North County Times, San Diego Union Tribune, Tri-City Medical Center, Wal-Mart, Waste Management of North County, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Azteca America and San Diego 15/10News.
For more information and a schedule of events, please call the Oceanside Chamber Commerce at 760.722.1534 or visit http://www.oceansideharbordays.com
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