It has been a while since the Cheeseburger Beach Party 2013 and we hope that everyone enjoy the fun filled day. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people that make this event possible each year. Besides the hired workers that do most of the heavy lifting there are many, many volunteers that work for free giving their vacation time to make sure that this event is fun for every one at attends. This past year was no different than the years of the past. Sailors and power boaters found their way to Fiddle Cay days before the event and worked cleaning up the beach and setting up the party. Most of the set up can be done a couple of days before but some things have to wait until a few hours before the 11 a.m. start time.
The morning of the party there is much to do in a very short period of time. The cooks have to get the grills loaded with charcoal and ready to cook the 1200 cheeseburgers and 330 hot dogs. The persons in charge of frying the 150 pounds of fries need to get the grease hot and ready. The ladies responsible for slicing enough onions, lettuces and tomatoes for 1200 burgers begin their time consuming job of slicing up everything. This crew is also responsible for setting up the mayo, ketchup, mustard and pickles for the serving line. Let’s not forget the important bartenders that need to mix and prepare the 100 gallons of rum punch and the 100 gallons of margaritas. The ice, bread, plates, frozen burgers, dogs, fries, and vegetables need to be transported to the beach and finally the music system; water mister system and generators. Yes we must have electricity for the fans, mister system pumps and music system so the Jimmy Buffett music can flow for the entire party. There is much to be accomplished the morning of the party and again this past year the volunteer crew did a superb job.
I will not even attempt to mention everyone by name that make this event possible but I would like to say a big thank you to the Abaco Cruisers Net for getting the word to all of Abaco about the party, American Cabin Supply for donation of cups, Plymouth Rock Café in GTC, Bubba Burger, A Special tks for Ginny and Bob Withers S/V Sumtoy and Manny and Lorie from S/V Miss Lorie for their support. Another special tks to Margaritaville Tequila for their support and free giveaways. Most of all I would like to thank my wife Patricia for helping me throughout the year organizing this event. Finally, again I would like to recognize the 30 to 40 volunteers that make this day on Fiddle Cay a fun, safe and enjoyable time for the hundreds of tourist and locals that attend.
Some of you might have noticed that Stranded Naked actually moved this past year around the Regatta without being towed. I finally put a reliable outboard engine in Stranded Naked so it would not have to be towed around as in years past. I would like to thank Roberts Marine for their fine service installing the outboard engine as it ran perfect as we followed the regatta. This past July we traveled with the houseboat to Guana Cay and Hope Town and enjoyed meeting many new friends along the way. Although we only travel under power at about 4 knots we always have a great time enjoying the beautiful water and anchorages on our cruise south to Hope Town. On the return leg from Guana to Green Turtle Cay we actually went on the outside (east side) of Whale Cay as the sea was completely calm. This is the first time that Stranded Naked had gone on the east side of Whale Cay. We only draw 14 inches so we normally go on the Treasure Cay side of Whale Cay. I have been doing the Regatta for about 20 years and taking the houseboat on the inside of Whale so it may not seem like a big deal to some boaters but I considered going through the east side of Whale as important part of history in the life and adventures of Stranded Naked.
In closing my final thanks go to Mr. Jimmy Buffett (our most missed guest on Stranded Naked and at the Cheeseburger Beach Party) for his years of producing great music for our enjoyment. Jimmy’s music is what inspired me to buy my houseboat, start my Stranded Naked adventure to the Bahamas and was the inspiration for the Cheeseburger Beach Party.
We hope to see everyone back at the Fiddle Cay Cheeseburger Beach Party. Please take a look in our Photo Section where you will find a Volunteer Album (if you served as a volunteer and your picture is not there, please e.mail us a copy and we will be glad to add).
If you have any suggestion or would like free photos of the Cheeseburger Beach Party,or would like to help "contact us" using the side box.Thank you so much.