It’s not every day you get to party on the deck of a decommissioned Navy battleship, but some guests in Norfolk were recently able to do just that while raising money for a good cause.
Photo: Nauticus Foundation/Jossan Urban and Erin MathewsA sell-out crowd aboard the museum ship USS Wisconsin raised more than $77,000 for local kids during the fifth annual “Gettin’ Frisky on the Wisky,” produced in part by the maritime museum Nauticus. This year’s event set a new record for funds raised.
Proceeds from “Gettin’ Frisky on the Wisky” benefit Sail Nauticus, a community sailing center that operates the Sail Nauticus Academy, a free after-school program for local middle school students. As part of a partnership with Norfolk Public Schools, the program engages students in STEM activities and career development opportunities while helping them to develop life skills through sailing.
Guests, who partied on the deck of the decommissioned Iowa-class Navy battleship, enjoyed the sunset and downtown Norfolk waterfront scenery while dancing to music by Bri Wehner & Cheap Thrills. Games, a silent auction (which included a trip to San Francisco to sail on USA76, the 2003 America’s Cup Challenger), and a signature rum drink from local distillery Dead Reckoning rounded out the evening’s fun. Guests were also able to support specific Sail Nauticus Academy students on the “Academy Wall.”
To learn more about Sail Nauticus, click here.
-Laura Boycourt
