28th Annual Flight to the North Pole

viewing the watt-ah boatThis past Thursday marked the 28th Annual Flight to the North Pole event at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Flight to the North Pole is held each year at the airport fire station for terminally ill children in Manatee County. The Manatee County Sheriff’s office, along with the fire station and a large team of volunteers put together a spectacular event for hundreds of happy children.

Flight to the North Pole

The day included face painting, horseback riding, toy making, a performance by the Tabernacle Christian School Children’s Choir, a special luncheon and even a visit with Santa.

Santa flew in from the North Pole by helicopter and was greeted by a large crowd of believing children. Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube escorted Santa and Mrs. Claus to seasonally-decorated rooms inside the fire station. The children eagerly awaited to be called with family members to have their own special visit with Santa. Each child’s wishes came true with a full tote of toys based on hints previously given by their parents to Flight to the North Pole volunteers (Santa’s helpers!).

REDS Offshore Racing and AquaNew were so honored to be included in the celebration, and had a wonderful time seeing the excitement on kids’ faces as they got a close-up look at the Watt-Ahh® Super Boat. You can see more photos from the day on our Facebook page. Also, be sure to check out this video from SNN Local News.

Note: A special thank you goes to Gary and Lisa Seaboyer for volunteering their time to help REDS Offshore Racing and AquaNew at the Flight to the North Pole holiday party, to REDS Throttle Eddie Tamberino for providing the truck that enabled the Watt-Ahh® Super Boat to go on display, and to the team at the SRQ airport fire station that built the amazing platform that allowed lots of excited children see inside the Watt-Ahh® race boat! Photos provided by Gary Seaboyer.