HOLIDAY HARBOR MARINA & SUNSET GRILLE
SEPTEMBER Newsletter
Holiday Harbor Marina
END OF SUMMER? NOT IN PARADISE!
While Labor Day brings the traditional end of summer, it does not bring an end to boating opportunities. Many consider September and October two of the best months for boating and fishing on the Gulf Coast. Especially with the state of Florida re-opening Red Snapper season during the weekends, we hope to see you during the fall boating season.
(See details of Red Snapper season below)
LABOR DAY WEEKEND: IMPORTANT – For Our Storage Customers
This year, the Labor Day weekend will be from Friday, September 1 through Monday, September 4, 2023 and is another busy period at Holiday Harbor. We hope you are able to get on the water with the family over that weekend. In order to assure everyone has an enjoyable boating experience, we ask that dry storage customers:
Call at least 2 hours before you want your boat placed in the water.
Recognize that there is not enough dock space at the Marina for all launched boats to stay in the water during the holiday period. Boats returned before closing will be returned to dry storage daily and boats returned after closing will be returned to dry storage early the next morning.
Know that all wet slips are rented. Please do not dock in wet slips. If you return after closing and the launch area is full, please use the fuel dock or the “T” dock used for Sunset Grille. We will move your boat early the next morning. If you leave your boat out overnight and do not wish it returned to dry storage because you plan to use it the next day, please leave a message on the board next to the office door. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Keep the number of vehicles parking at the Marina to a minimum.
To ensure that Marina storage/wet slip customers, Freedom Boat Club users, and patrons of Sunset Grille are able to park, our parking restrictions will continue each weekend through Labor Day.
We appreciate customers’ help in making the Labor Day holiday weekend a great time for all. through Sunday August 6.
Real-Time Weather Available
A new, automated, real-time weather station has been established on Perdido Key not far from Holiday Harbor Marina. In addition to providing real-time weather conditions, it provides a live video feed of local weather conditions and other features (e.g., lightning strikes, accumulated rain, etc.).
The station feed can be accessed 24/7 at:
https://escambia.weatherstem.com/fswnperdidokey
FALL SHOULDER SEASON HOURS
The marina will change to fall shoulder season operating hours on the Tuesday after Labor Day, September 5, 2023. Beginning then hours will be:
Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday – Sunday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
RED SNAPPER TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Thank you to all who participated in our fourth annual Red Snapper tournament. The tournament ended July 31; here are the winners and their prizes:
BIGGEST FISH
1st Place Delbert Thompson 26.4 lbs. $1,225, Costa Sunglasses and $500 HHM Gas Credit (as Account Customer Winner)
2nd Place Keith DuBose 24.6 lbs. $735 cash, 45 qt. Yeti cooler and $500 cash (as Sea Tow Customer Winner)
3rd Place Darrell Steward 21.6 lbs. $490 cash, Boca Grip and Bubba Blade
WILDCARD WEIGHT
Ryan Sload Frabill Bait pin and $50 Gift card to Sunset Grille
RAFFLE WINNERS
$300 Costa Del Mar Gift Card online credit – Brent Parkman
$300 Costa Del Mar Gift Card online credit – Justin Walker
$300 Costa Del Mar Gift Card online credit – Brian Kisner
Toadfish Rocks Tumbler Set – Wade Woolford
Toadfish Grilling Set – Terry Gibson
Toadfish Folding Filet Knife and Cutting Board – Price Bishop
JYG Slow Pitch Jigs – Ron Frick
We plan to host a similar event for the 2024 Red Snapper season and invite all to participate. We have extra 2023 tournament t-shirts available for purchase at our Main Marina and our North Store next to Sunset Grille. The artwork on this shirt was done by Alan Woolford, a well-known local marine artist.
RED SNAPPER SEASON REOPENING
Although the 2023 summer recreational season for red snapper in both Florida state and federal waters ended July 31, the Florida season is scheduled to reopen on the following weekend and related dates in the fall. Please check the FWC website for any updates or changes regarding these dates:
September 1–4 (Friday–Monday of Labor Day Weekend)
September 8–10
September 15–17
September 22–24
September 29–October 1
October 6–8
October 13–15
October 20–22
October 27–29
November 3–5
November 10–12 (Veterans Day Weekend)
November 17–19
November 23–26 (Thanksgiving Weekend)
A LOT of opportunity to get out there in the cooler weather with hopefully less competition! We are ready to help make your trip enjoyable and successful!
KEEP YOUR BOAT IN TOP RUNNING SHAPE
With the off-season approaching, if you do not plan to use your boat much, it may be a good time to inquire about our monthly RUN AND WASH service for $60/month. With this service, we will launch your boat into the water and start it, let it get to temperature, then do a quick rinse to get any dust off the inside. Running your engines monthly helps maintain the engines and batteries.
If you are interested in this service, please call the Marine Office at 850-492-0555.
UPCOMING EVENTS
BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING SHOW
The 2023 Blue Angels Homecoming Show is scheduled for November 3 & 4, 2023, with the theme of “Celebrating Women In Aviation”. At this time the Show is scheduled to be held at NAS Pensacola and is FREE and open to the public. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. and the show begins at 9:30 a.m. On-land spectators are encouraged to bring their own seating OR paid seating is available for purchase.
The traditional schedule would include:
Wednesday, November 1 – Breakfast with the Blues & arrival of other aircrafts
Thursday, November 2 – Arrival Day and Dress Rehearsal
Friday, November 3 – Homecoming Air Show, Day 1
Saturday, November 4 – Homecoming Air Show, Day 2
We will provide the latest schedule details in our October Newsletter.
With the show at NAS, boaters will be able to see virtually all of the air show part by anchoring either in the bay or in Grand Lagoon adjacent to the base. This is a great opportunity for Marina customers to see the spectacular show with less hassle than the summer show. Make plans now to be there!
NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM REOPENED TO PUBLIC
The world-renowned Naval Aviation Museum located on Naval Air Station – Pensacola has reopened to the general public, 7 days a week, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with access only through the West Gate at the South end of Blue Angel Parkway.
For further information, please see The Museum website at:
https://navalaviationmuseum.org/plan-your-visit
Sunset Grille
FOOTBALL 2023!
Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?! The 2023 Football season kicked off Saturday, August 26.
Sunset Grille has 6 big-screen TVs showing all of your favorite games that are broadcast. You can watch all of your teams compete while enjoying a delicious meal and drink.
SUNSET GRILLE ANNUAL DOG WALK/RUN
The annual Sunset Grille Dog Walk/Run is back for 2023. It will be held Saturday, October 21. Plan now for you and your four-legged companion(s) to participate in this fun event that supports needy canines. You can sign-up now at the Grille or at active.com (search: Sunset Grille Dog Walk/Run). Additional details will be provided in the October Newsletter.
Specials
Pie: Salted Caramel
Drink: Sunset Apple Crisp (Glenfiddich whiskey, apple juice, ginger beer, cranberry juice)