Raceday Events
OPA World Championships
The information below is subject to change.
2023 Raceday Events
Sat, Nov 18 & Sun, Nov 19, 2023, 10 AM to 4 PM
Speed, Power and Excitement comes to Englewood, Florida! Watch thrilling offshore powerboat racing from Englewood Beach as boats gather points for the world championship races! This is the World Championships for OPA Racing (Offshore Powerboat Association) with 75+ boats running at speeds up to and over 150 miles per hour.
Saturday and Sunday, races start at approximately 10 AM, and the gate opens at 9 AM.
Race fans are encouraged to visit Waterfest Village on Englewood Beach during practice days on Friday and also all day on Saturday and Sunday.
2023 Family Conservation Center
Sat, Nov 18 & Sun, Nov 19, 2023, 10 AM to 4 PM
Mote Marine Laboratory will have six exhibits at Englewood Beach Waterfest on November 18 & 29, 2023 in the new Family Conservation Center. The exhibits are:
- FIN-TASTIC FRIENDS – Learn the truth about the often misunderstood sharks and rays and about Mote’s current research to discover more about these amazing animals.
- FLORIDA WATERSHEDS – What kinds of native animals live in your backyard? Learn about some of our remarkable native residents such as gators, birds and river otters. Discover what is harming our local watersheds and what you can do to protect them.
- MARINE CSI – Learn about Mote’s team of experts who investigate animal strandings. Compare a dolphin and manatee skull, feel real dolphin bones and see if you can learn how to solve the case.
- SPINELESS SEA – What do a sea star, a whelk, a horseshoe crab and a squid have in common? Learn some of the weird and wacky adaptations of the spineless sea, and how to protect them and help keep them in the ocean where they belong.
- RADICAL REEFS – Are corals plants, animals or minerals? Learn about these fascinating ecosystems and the important work Mote scientists are doing to study, protect and restore our planet’s coral reefs.
Also scheduled to exhibit in addition to Mote:
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection
- Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida
- Florida Right to Clean Water
- Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards
- Lemon Bay High School Marine Club
Other Children’s Activities scheduled:
- Face Painting
- Venice Photo Booth
- Butterfly Encounter
Expand your family’s marine life education and conservation efforts. Bring the whole family to The Family Conservation Center at Englewood Beach during the Englewood Beach Waterfest, Nov. 18 &19, 2023.
Watch this website or our Waterfest Facebook page for more information as it becomes available!
Also, be sure to check out the following resources:
Guidelines for Protecting Florida Manatees
Florida Sea Turtles Share the Beach
How Fishermen Can Conserve (external link)
WEAR IT Florida Campaign (external link)
2023 Waterfest Beach Oasis
Cantina & Food Court
Come for the Races and the Family Conservation Center and enjoy the food!
Directly on the beach under tents, local restaurants will offer their Seafood and regional cuisine including many of your local favorites. Waterfest will have special fare for the children as well. Throughout the Food Court we will also have all types of traditional festival foods like funnel cakes, snow cones, popcorn, pretzels, ice cream and other delicacies you will enjoy.
What would a festival be without adult beverages? Waterfest will have beer, wine and mixed drinks this year throughout Waterfest Village. We will also be serving our signature specially priced, “Raceday cocktail” you don’t want to miss.
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