Santa Cruz Woodies A Chapter of the National Woodie Club
We made it through another Woodies on the Wharf. The 28th Annual is in the books. The party began Thursday night with a welcome to town party at members Alan and Jule Hilton’s home. Their home overlooks the Boardwalk and the ocean. It is quite a sight at night with the rides lit up and the screams from the roller coaster.
Friday morning, the next stop was the home of Jim and Patty Ferdinand. Each year those that can slip into their wet suits and walk the short three blocks down 38th Avenue to the beach. Once in the water, they form a circle to pay tribute to those members we have lost over the last year. Then they try to find a wave that will give them a thrill. Unfortunately, the waves did not cooperate.
But all is not lost. Waiting for them and the rest of us is a great brunch including biscuits and gravy. Friday afternoon at the Ocean Pacific Hotel, the merchandise booth opened early for pre-sales. Introductions and welcome to all were followed by games for the Next Generation kids.
It was O-dark-thirty Saturday and we are out on the wharf setting up for the big day. Pop ups, tables and chairs are set in place for our sponsors, merchandise booth, and the National Woodie Club. By 10am, the wharf is packed with woodies and spectators. 139 woodies and thousands of spectators.
The weather was perfect, the raffle was perfect and the entertainment was perfect. Overall, it was a perfect day.
Every year Santa Cruz Woodies has a special raffle for two surfboards and a bike plus a long distance award for the longest distance a woodie was driven to the show.
The highlight of the day for most is the parade off the wharf. The Santa Cruz Police Department holds traffic for us and leads us off. People line the wharf on both sides waving and cheering.
After the parade off the wharf, it’s back to the hotel for our tailgate dinner. After dinner it’s live music from Toni Wilkerson’s grandkids Josie and Jay, and as always Bob Lopez
Early Sunday morning it was time for Sophia’s Cruise along West Cliff drive and back to the Yacht Harbor where we enjoyed pastries and coffee and said our goodbyes.
None of this would be possible without the countless hours of planning and hands on work by so many club volunteers. Add the City of Santa Cruz and especially the Parks and Recreation Department, and you get the best woodie show there is. If you missed it this year, start thinking about attending next year. You won’t be disappointed.
