Colorful stories, laughter, a somewhat bawdy tale, and yes, a few wet eyes. Last weekend, I went to an incredible celebration of life. I’d actually sat next to this larger-than-life man at two other funerals, so it was deeply personal to hear about his life through his daughter’s remarkable eulogy.

A few days later, it hit me: the Hospice Cup Shore Party is also a celebration of life.

That was a big aha moment for me. For years, I’ve struggled to put into words just how special this party is. It creates space for people to talk about their loved ones — sometimes in ways that are intimate and vulnerable, sometimes in ways that are downright hilarious. It’s an evening where those conversations feel natural, even joyful, because they’re woven into music, laughter, and a sailing community that understands both loss and life.

And at the very same time, it’s a regatta party. Sailors fresh off the water, trophies changing hands, competitive banter flying. The two come together in this perfect mix — part celebration of life, part celebration of sailing, and 100% Hospice Cup.

Over the last four decades, the Shore Party has been hosted in some of the Chesapeake’s most iconic places — private houses, Manresa, Bert Jabin’s Yacht Yard, and now Horn Point Marina. The venues have changed, but the sunsets continue, and the vibe goes on.

Each year, the list of people I remember at Hospice Cup grows longer. It feels like a testament to the richness of life — every person leaving a wake that still ripples forward. Together, those ripples overlap and carry me back to the Shore Party, year after year, with even more reasons to show up.

For me, that includes remembering my grandfather and everyone since him, in a gorgeous celebration that also happens to be tied to one of my loves — sailboat racing. Hospice Cup lets me hold those threads together: memory, meaning, and joy.

This year, the Shore Party is Saturday, September 13, at Horn Point Marina, starting at 5:30 pm. Free admission and an open bar. If you want to understand why this event matters so much to me — and what it could mean for you — join us.