THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 19, 1996 TAG: 9607190085
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY IDA KAY JORDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 44 lines
THE ELIZABETH River Harbor between Portsmouth and Norfolk will be filled Saturday morning with boats, large and small, sails unfurled ready for the starting gun of the ninth annual Cock Island Race.
About 300 boats, the maximum allowed by the U.S. Coast Guard in the busy harbor, will be leaving from the Intracoastal Waterway Zero Mile Marker beginning at 9:30 a.m. The race course goes up the river to Hampton Roads, around the Middle Ground Light and back to the harbor.
The Cock Island Race is inclusive, with classes for serious racers as well as for cruising sailors who have not raced for a year. The concept was unique when it was proposed by Morton V. ``Mo'' Whitlow, a sailor for more than 30 years.
``Most races have not included the casual sailors,'' Whitlow said. ``Now, Cock Island is being copied by others. Races in Annapolis and Hampton recently have included cruising classes.''
Cock Island was a nickname given to Portsmouth a century ago by sailors who came to town for then-fashionable cock fights.
The race is only part of a three-day event at Portside.
``Cock Island is half race and half party,'' Whitlow said.
But the annual event has done what Whitlow envisioned.
James Hawks, co-chairman of the race with John Ellis, said many of the race participants do not live in Portsmouth.
``It's bringing a lot of people to Portsmouth who otherwise would never have reason to come here,'' Hawks said. ``They like the city and the race because it gives them the opportunity to bring their families and visit with each other.''
Ports Events, the city's non-profit agency that sponsors festivals and other events including the race, has scheduled a variety of entertainment at Portside with all events open to the public.
Tonight, Melvin's Flea Circus will perform from 1 to 4 p.m. at Portside, and jazz by the Lewis McGehee Trio will be presented on the Water Stage from 4 to 7 p.m. Bill Deal and Fat Ammon will play for a street dance from 7 to 10 p.m.
Saturday's entertainment will include an appearance by the band, Against All Odds, at Portside from 1 to 4 p.m. and a performance by Dramtreeo on the Water Stage from 4 to 7 p.m. Liberation will play for a street dance from 7 to 10 p.m. by CNB