QUE FOR A CURE RETURNS FOR ANOTHER YEAR

By Libby Hopkins

The Seize the Moment Foundation will be hosting its Que for a Cure event on Friday and Saturday, September 15-16 at the Showmen’s Club, located at 6915 Riverview Dr. in Riverview.

“My goal this year is to raise more than last year,” said Roni-Kay Lopez, founder of the Seize the Moment Foundation. “I want it to keep growing every year to show that the awareness is getting out in our community.”

Lopez became an advocate for epilepsy after her successful surgery in 2008. She started her foundation to help others with a great support team of volunteers. She volunteered to consult other candidates considering the surgery and has since helped 12 others with their surgery, and she was actually in the surgery room with one. “Our mission is to raise local, state and nationwide awareness about epilepsy and seizures,” Lopez said. “We hope to make our cause, our organization and our patients known to ‘Seize the Moment.’”

Lopez hopes to raise more money for epilepsy research with this year’s Que for a Cure. “With funds raised last year and some winners giving back their earnings, we gave TGH/USF $20,000 to the epilepsy fund I set up for epilepsy research and development,” Lopez said. “I hope to have a packed event for both days to show the teams and vendors who have supported the event and are participating that we are sparking interest in our community of what we do. My hope is to bring people together to see not only what the barbecue is about, but to see what we do for our charity, how we help and assist patients in need, how our funds help doctors and hospitals with research and development and how we share our stories to inspire others.”

Lopez is still looking for sponsors and donations for this year’s Que for a Cure.

“We are still looking for event sponsors, and any business or individual who would like to donate to our silent auction and rafe are welcomed to do so,” Lopez said. “We can always use volunteers to help with the event as well. Areas of parking, rafe, merchandise sales — honestly, any and all help is appreciated. Donations are always welcomed and can be done on our website for those who cannot attend.”

If you would like to learn more about the Seize the Moment Foundation and Que for a Cure, visit www.queforacureseizethemoment.org.

FRIENDS OF TAMPA RIVERWALK’S HOSTS BOAT PARADE, POKER RUN AND BLESSING OF THE FLEET FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

Celebrate Independence Day at the Tampa Riverwalk with a spectacular day of fun and family-friendly activities. This year’s line-up of events, hosted by Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk, includes the third annual July 4th Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet, plus a digital boat poker run and a water ski show by the Tampa Bay Water Ski Team. All the events are being held in conjunction with the Star-Spangled Sparkman festivities hosted at Sparkman Wharf, which will conclude with a spectacular nighttime fireworks display.

The July 4th Boat Parade will feature patriotically decorated vessels that will sail approximately 7.5 miles on the Hillsborough River. The grand marshals for this year’s parade riding in the lead boat, Latitude Lindsey II, will be Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp and 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

The course for both large and small vessels will end at Sparkman Wharf, where guest judges from the Boys & Girls Club will evaluate each vessel and select one to receive a trophy and gift basket full of local prizes for the Most Patriotic Boat.

During the July 4th Boat Parade, boaters will participate in Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk’s digital boat poker run. Boaters will check in at various GPS hot spots along the Hillsborough River parade route. Participants who successfully check into each location will be entered into a random drawing for an assortment of local prizes.

There are public viewing areas all along the route where residents and visitors can cheer on the boaters and enjoy the festivities.

At 6 p.m., members of the Tampa Bay Water Ski Team will thrill the audience near Sparkman Wharf with aerial tricks during a 45-minute water show. Also, at Sparkman Wharf, boats in the parade will be able to take part in the Blessing of the Fleet. This centuries-old tradition draws its heritage from Mediterranean fishing communities and is celebrated around the globe. Local clergy will bless the vessels to help ensure a safe and bountiful season.

Registration to participate in this year’s July 4th Boat Parade began on June 1. The registration fee is $50 per boat. Captains who are interested must register their vessel online at https://thetampariverwalk. com/. Registration fees help cover the cost of the parade.

For public viewing of the boat parade, visit these locations at the (approximate) designated times: 6:15 p.m. at Tampa Convention Center, 6:30 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 6:45 p.m. at Armature Works, 7:15 p.m. at Davis Islands and Channel Drive and 7:30 p.m. at Sparkman Wharf.

Public viewing is also available at Water Works Park and Harbour Island. To view the entire route, visit https://thetampariverwalk.com/. Following the boat parade and water ski show, spectators can stay to enjoy an exciting free fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m. at Sparkman Wharf.