The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md. has recently announced American sailor and four-time America’s Cup racer Dawn Riley will be a guest at CBMM’s 19th annual Boating Party Fundraising Gala on Saturday, September 10.
This year’s gala is themed around the historic America’s Cup race—featuring foods and libations representing the six competing nations in the 2017 race—and includes a rare, and up close experience aboard the schooner America. The 139-foot yacht America is a replica of the vessel that started the America’s Cup tradition in 1851 by defeating the British to win the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “Auld Mug.” Boating Party proceeds support the children and adults served by CBMM’s education, restoration, and exhibition programs.
Riley is CEO and Captain of America True, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation promoting and introducing young people to the joys of sailing nationwide. The America True Youth Program was born in 1997 while CEO Dawn Riley was campaigning for the 2000 America’s Cup. Under Riley’s direction, America True was the first syndicate in history to be headed by a woman, and the first to have a co-ed crew.
Riley is also the first American—man or woman—to have raced on three America’s Cup teams and two Whitbread Round-the-World Race (now Volvo Ocean Race) sailing teams. She is former President of the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King and is active in many public service and political activities. Dawn currently is running Oakcliff Sailing in Oyster Bay New York which is building American leaders through sailing. With more than 100 boats and year-round programs, Oakcliff prepares individuals for careers in the industry including positions in the America’s Cup, Volvo, and Olympics.
“Dawn Riley is one of my personal superstars and one of the most influential and inspirational sailors in the world,” remarks CBMM President Kristen Greenaway. “We are excited to host her as our guest at this year’s gala and share our maritime world with her.”
Boating Party guests will have the opportunity to meet Riley at the September 10, which begins at 5:00 p.m. along Navy Point and the Miles River. Boating Party tickets are $250 per person with special sponsorship table reservations ranging from $2,500 to $7,500. Each table sponsorship offers special recognition in the Boating Party program, at the table, on name badges and event signage, along with a special gift. Table sponsors include Wye Financial & Trust, a division of Shore United Bank, the Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond, and Wilmington Trust. To request an invitation, or to reserve your table, call 410-745-4978 or email Liza Ledford at [email protected].
Established in 1965, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a world-class maritime museum dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment, and people of the entire Chesapeake Bay, with the values of relevancy, authenticity, and stewardship guiding its mission. Serving nearly 70,000 guests each year, CBMM’s campus includes a floating fleet of historic boats and 12 exhibition buildings, situated in a park-like, waterfront setting along the Miles River and St Michaels harbor. For more information, please visit www.cbmm.org.
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