On Tap This Weekend: BFD And Thunder In The City Fun Runs
Even in the age of COVID-19, the Lake of the Ozarks never lacks for organized events. Case in point: The third annual Baja, Fountain and Donzi Fun Run—better known as the BFD Fun Run—sponsored by Big Thunder Marine is set for this tomorrow on the Central Missouri waterway.
In only its third year, the Baja, Fountain and Donzi Fun has more than 100 boats registered. Photo by Mark Spencer copyright Baja Marine/speedonthewater.com.
In 2018, the BFD happening attracted 77 boats. The following year, the event grew to 120 boats. Big Thunder Marine’s general manager Jeremy Anderson expected the event to grow. And grow it has.
“We have 115 boats registered right now,” he said.
Among those participating in the run tomorrow will be Fred Ross, the owner of the Baja, Fountain and Donzi brands, as well as the Big Thunder Marine dealership.
“I’m going, but I’m not sure which boat I’ll be running in just yet,” he said, then chuckled. “Probably the Fountain 47 Lightning with the Mercury Racing 1550/1350 engines.”
Registration for the run, which begins tonight with a party at Big Thunder Marine’s Lake Ozark location, is still open. Starting from the Camden On The Lake Resort on Saturday morning, the fleet will make stops at Bear Bottom Resort, Paradise Restaurant and Bar and the Tap and Grill Lake Side Brew Haus before reaching its final destination of Coconuts Caribbean Beach Bar and Grill.
A little more than 1,000 miles to the east on the Chesapeake Bay, the 14th annual Thunder In The City Fun Run also is happening this weekend. Until this year, the Chesapeake City, Md.-based event had been a poker run. To adapt to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, the organizers shifted the event to a more-casual, more socially distant fun-run format. Organizer Vic DiMarco also reportedly reduced this year’s entry fee by 50 percent.
The docks at Tiki Lee’s Dock Bar in Sparrows Point will be full this Saturday thanks to participants in the Thunder In The City Fun Run. Photo by Tim Sharkey copyright Sharkey Images/speedonthewater.com.
Photographer Tim Sharkey, who is shooting the run from a helicopter, said he expects 40 to 50 boats to participate.
“The weather is supposed to be great there this weekend,” said Sharkey. “The event is returning to Tiki Lee’s Dock Bar. David Carey, the venue owner, is sponsoring the photo shoot—including the helicopter.”
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