Kick-off your summer at the Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby event this Saturday, June 11th at the Boynton Harbor Marina!
What exactly is Rock the Marina?
To showcase all of the fun activities that the Boynton Harbor Marina has to offer, the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (BBCRA) will host Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby on June 11, 2022, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Sip a cocktail while enjoying music on the waterfront from two popular local bands, Spider Cherry and Spred the Dub, gain an understanding of how to clean, prep, and cook lionfish, and learn about marine conservation and sustainability efforts that are taking place throughout Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County.
What is a Lionfish Derby?
Certified scuba divers will participate in the Lionfish Derby, which will take place earlier in the day between 8:00 AM and 12:30 PM. Participating divers will be chartered by Loggerhead Dive Charters, Splashdown Divers, Starfish Scuba, and South Florida Diving Headquarters, to hunt for invasive lionfish for approximately four hours.
Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Most fish, largest fish, and smallest fish. The divers will return to the Boynton Harbor Marina at approximately 12:00 PM for the derby judging, which will consist of weighing, counting, and measuring the collected lionfish. Event attendees are invited to watch the judging process from approximately 12:00 PM. to 2:00 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 3:00 p.m.
How much are tickets?
This event is completely FREE!
Where is the event located?
The event will take place at the Boynton Harbor Marina, which is located at 735 Casa Loma Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL 33435.
Will there be any road closures for the event?
Yes, there will be limited road closures at the marina to properly set-up the event and ensure the safety of event patrons and residents. Road closures along NE 6th Street and Casa Loma Boulevard will be in effect from approximately 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. For the duration of the road closure, the marina will only be accessible from the Boynton Beach Boulevard extension. The Marina Village parking garage will only be accessible from the Boynton Beach Boulevard entrance.
The road closure will not affect the Banana Boat or Two Georges Waterfront Grille valet services. Customers of the commercial charters located at the marina will still be able to access the designated loading/unloading lane and parking spaces that are available alongside the dock.
Where can I park for the event?
Free parking is available at:
- The public parking lot located at 115 N. Federal Highway (just north of Hurricane Alley).
- The parking lots located at 501 NE 1st Avenue (west of The Boardwalk Italian Ice & Creamery).
Paid parking is available at:
- The Marina Village parking garage is located at 625 Casa Loma Boulevard. Public parking is available for $5. Please note that this parking garage tends to fill-up quickly.
- Valet parking for restaurant patrons is available at Two Georges, which is located at 728 Casa Loma Boulevard.
- Valet parking for restaurant patrons is available at Banana Boat, which is located at 739 East Ocean Avenue.
What type of food and beverages will be available at the event?
As a part of our mission to #SupportLocal, all the food and beverages will be provided from local Boynton Harbor Marina restaurants. Food at the event will be limited, as event-goers are encouraged to enjoy waterfront dining at Two Georges Waterfront Grille, Banana Boat, or Marina Café.
Two Georges Waterfront Grille will have an outside bar and food station set-up at the front of the marina and Kona Ice will be onsite with their food truck.
What type of exhibitors will the event feature?
Chef Jimmy Everett, from Driftwood, located at 2005 S. Federal Highway, will provide tutorials on how to properly clean, prep, and cook lionfish. The lionfish dip contest is back – with a challenge between Driftwood and The Butcher and The Bar, located at 510 East Ocean Avenue! Be sure to stop by the designated lionfish dip contest to vote for your favorite.
The event will also highlight marine conservation and sustainability efforts that are taking place throughout the county with the City of Boynton Beach Sustainability Department, Sea Turtle Adventures, Lionfish Extermination Corporation, and Under Blue Waters. Additional exhibitors include Starfish Scuba and Force-E. Event goes are encouraged to explore the marina and visit with the commercial slips to connect with the various charters that are located at the Boynton Harbor Marina. Be sure to stop by Slip #18 and to receive a tour of Sol Search Charters, which will begin accepting bookings in the coming weeks for a variety of oceanic adventures!
What time will the bands perform?
We are excited to welcome back two of South Florida’s most popular bands – Spider Cherry and Spred the Dub. The bands will play concurrent shows on two separate stages between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Is this a family-friendly event?
Yes, the Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby is a family-friendly event. We encourage families to explore the marina and visit with the participating exhibitors. Sea Turtle Adventures, Under Blue Waters, and ArtSea Living Studio will each offer kid-friendly activities during the event.
Can I bring my pet to the event?
The Boynton Harbor Marina is pet-friendly, however, due to the high-energy nature of the event, which includes live music and possible crowds of people, we highly recommend leaving your beloved pets at home.
What happens if it rains?
The Rock the Marina & Lionfish Derby is a rain or shine event. Every effort will be made to host the event, however, if inclement weather poses a potential danger to event patrons, staff, or vendors, cancellation will be considered. Updates regarding the event will be posted to the BBCRA website and Facebook page.
Still, have questions?
Visit our Facebook event page for additional details. Be sure to like and follow @BoyntonBeachCRA on Facebook and Instagram to receive the latest updates about the event and use #RockTheMarina when posting to your favorite socials.
Boynton Beach Insider 
Leave a comment