Vallejo's Waterfront Celebration Sails into a New Era

Vallejo Waterfront Weekend, a beloved annual event, is embarking on its 10th year with a fresh face at the helm. The two-day festival, held the first weekend of October, will revive classic attractions like the Whaleboat Races, Glo Run, Martial Arts tournament, and Ducky Derby, while introducing exciting new updates. Jacqueline Barsotti, the Chief Executive Optimist at Suite Treatments, has taken over the event following Lisa Gannon's retirement after seven years of dedicated leadership.

Charting a New Course for Vallejo's Waterfront Celebration

Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

As the event changes hands during its milestone year, Jacqueline Barsotti is committed to celebrating the festival's rich history while modernizing it for the present. At the heart of the event lies the Whaleboat Races, a nod to Vallejo's early maritime heritage, which were a popular sport in the Mare Island Strait dating back to the 1800s. Barsotti aims to preserve the essence of the festival while introducing new elements that will captivate both longtime attendees and newcomers.

Elevating the Visitor Experience

Barsotti's focus has been on updating the branding and enhancing the overall visitor experience. Increased advertising measures, such as banners hanging from every street pole, make the event more visible to the community. Additionally, the addition of shaded areas and misting tents reflects Suite Treatments' expertise in event optimization, ensuring attendees can comfortably enjoy the festivities. Barsotti has also strategically repositioned the mainstage from the middle of the park to the north end, allowing for better crowd management and larger audiences.

Showcasing Vallejo's Vibrant Talent

The mainstage lineup for this year's Vallejo Waterfront Weekend promises to be a highlight, featuring the Dan Ashley Americana Rock Band, led by the ABC7 news anchor, and the Curtis Family C Notes, who Barsotti describes as "the new Jackson 5." These dynamic performances will kick off the festivities on Saturday, setting the tone for a weekend filled with music, entertainment, and community engagement.

Fostering Community Connections

Sunday's events shift the focus to the community, with the return of the Whaleboat Regatta, Ducky Derby, and the addition of the Pet Adoption Parade. Barsotti emphasizes that the festival's primary goal is to raise funds for 13 local nonprofits, including Future Leadership Vallejo, Lady Eschelon, Humane Society of the North Bay, Solano Sunset Rotary, House of Acts, and The ARC Solano.

Driving Engagement and Attendance

Barsotti's mission is to increase community engagement and attendance at the festival. By utilizing new geo-tracking technology called Placer, Suite Treatments can analyze past attendance trends and identify areas for improvement. Barsotti's goal is to see the average visit time increase from the current 10-20 minutes to a full hour, allowing attendees to fully explore the park and participate in the diverse range of activities. The overall attendance target has been set at 7,000 to 10,000 visitors, a significant increase from the previous average of 5,000.

Expanding the Fundraising Potential

Alongside the attendance goals, Barsotti has also set an ambitious fundraising target of over $50,000 for the festival's beneficiaries. This increased goal is made possible by the support of the event's sponsors, who are crucial partners in the festival's success. Barsotti is determined to build on the festival's legacy and continue to grow its impact on the Vallejo community.As the Vallejo Waterfront Weekend embarks on its 10th year, the transition to new leadership promises an exciting and rejuvenated celebration. Jacqueline Barsotti and her team at Suite Treatments are poised to honor the festival's rich history while introducing innovative updates that will captivate both longtime attendees and newcomers alike. With a focus on community engagement, fundraising, and an enhanced visitor experience, the Vallejo Waterfront Weekend is set to sail into a new era of success.