Columbus Day Regatta has been a huge local event for many years. This year, the festivities continue the weekend of October 10-12, with the race starting at 10 am on Saturday the 11th. This year’s crest for the regatta flags was created by Astrid Dalins, and captures the history and meaning of Columbus Day.
The meaning of the Columbus Day crest goes back to 1960, when the Columbus Day Cruising Regatta Crew flew Cristobal Colon, the Duke of Verangua and a direct decendent of Christopher Columbus, from Spain to Miami with his Duchess to watch the annual regatta. During his stay,he gave the committe the go ahead to use the coat of arms of Columbus as the emblem for the club.
After Christopher Columbus’ journey of discovery, he was honored by the crown as the Admiral of the Ocean Seas and was given his own crest. The two bottom portions represent the Islands he discovered as well as the naval rank he received from the crown. In the top left corner, the castle represents the Kingdom of Castille, for Queen Isabella I, while the right corner is for the kingdom of Aragon for Ferdinand II, whose marriage unified Spain right before Columbus sailed.
Although the races embody the meaning of Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the New World, many locals head out to Elliot Key and spend the day (or the weekend) on the water, enjoying a typical Fall day in Miami.
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