IMPORTANT UPDATE: 

Labor Day Sunday’s Tugboat Race Postponed Due to Weather to Oct. 9, 2016. Click for more info.

 

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

The 24th annual Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition is coming this Labor Day Sunday, 4 September, 2016, at Pier 84, West 44 Street and 12 Avenue in Manhattan.

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

See our mighty tug friends compete on the Great North River, some of you might call it the Hudson River, in a massive show of strength and agility!

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

Our spectator boat departs Pier 83 (W. 43/12 Ave) at 9:30 am sharp, so we can get in the best spot for the parade of tugs.

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

Come race time, the spectator boat races alongside the tugs, you’ll be close enough to get splashed by the spray kicked up by the racing tugs!

For this excellent vantage point, get tickets for the spectator boat here.

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

The Parade of Tugs start things off at 10 a.m., you’ll get to see all the tugs and other participating vessels (shout-out Fireboat John J Harvey!!) shake their shimmy on the Hudson before the big line up for the race.

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

After the speed event, the mighty feats of strength competition begins where the tugs face-off nose-to-nose in a pushing contest.

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

Watch the tugboaters, their families and crew get into the spirit with a dash of friendly rivalry and tons of fun.

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

Come ashore for the pro line-toss competitions and cheer on your favorite tug-teams! We’ll also have amateur line-toss contests on the pier for both adult and kid divisions. See if you have a future career as a deckhand!

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

And of course, don’t miss our popular spinach-eating contest! You’ll have top competitors to best – last years winner of the adult division downed the spinach in just 8 seconds. Better get practicing… !

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

There’ll also be mascots, and tattoos and sailors, oh my! And lots and lots of fun for kids young and old!

Photo by ©Mitch Waxman

 

Get ready! Tugboat Race Day Sunday Sept 4th, Pier 84. Only 2 weeks to go!! 

 

posted by Mai Armstrong for the Working Harbor Committee