Poquoson Seafood Festival Work Boat Races
Scheduled for Sunday, September 14, 2025
Messick Point, Poquoson,  Virginia

Order of Events 
10:30am Captain's Meeting
12noon Parade of Sail
1pm Races Begin.
Special Thanks to our sponsors

Please join us for the 2025 Poquoson Seafood Festival Workboat Race on Sunday, September 14th at Messick Point with fun and festivities for the whole family. The festivities begin with a 12pm Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Sail.  Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site.

This year we are excited to include the historical Buy-Boats. Five of these restored vessels are scheduled to attend with some boats celebrating nearly 100 years afloat.  They will be leading the Parade of Sail. These boats, also known as oyster, buy-boats or deck boats, usually ranging from 40 to 90 feet in length, constructed with wood, and often had large open decks to serve oyster tongers and dredgers. These boats sailed amongst the harvesting boats collecting their catch to then deliver the load to a wholesaler or oyster processing house. You are invited to visit with the captains while they are in port and tour these historical vessels as part of the event. We are honored to have them in the harbor and are hopeful good weather will bless the fleet and the day’s events.