Englewood’s biggest fall tradition is back. The Englewood Beach Waterfest runs October 8 through 11, and after a year away, the offshore powerboat races return to our waters. Now in its fourteenth year, the festival has grown into a four-day celebration that draws boaters, beachgoers, and racing fans from across Florida and beyond.
The numbers tell the story. Organizers say 70 percent of Waterfest attendees come from out of town, and the Englewood Board of Realtors estimates the event generates more than $5 million for the community. For local restaurants, hotels, and shops, that money arrives at the perfect moment, filling tables and rooms during the quiet stretch before season begins. As festival president Ray Labadie puts it, when the races come, everyone works their butts off.
Whether you’re there for the roar of the boats, the food vendors, or simply a day on the sand, Waterfest is a weekend that shows what the Suncoast does best. Will we see you at Englewood Beach this year? Let us know in the comments.
