By now, you are probably thinking of how to have a Memorial Day weekend on Nantucket. Unless you come from the Northeast or you are a fan of sailing, you will still be in the dark about this place.

Nantucket is a magnificent island that is just 30 miles south of Cape Cod. It is known as a vacation and second home destination. The island is also famous for its fantastic beaches that are spread across 82 miles of shoreline.

What is Memorial Day Weekend on Nantucket?

Memorial Day Weekend on Nantucket is a well-known worldwide event. It is also known for the Figawi race. The event is all about sailing or boat sailing, and it has been considered to mark the beginning of the high season. The area is known as a significant sailing destination during the summer in the Northeast. There are hundreds of sailboats of different types and thousands of sailors who come to participate in this sailing. The race consists of several miles, and it usually starts from Hyannis port and then comes to an end at Nantucket, but in 2022 it will end at the entrance of the Hyannis port Jetty harbor.

The history of the Memorial Day Weekend on Nantucket

This boat sailing has been there for many years. The whole story started with friends having fun at Hyannis; then they started boasting about how each of their boats was the fastest. They all decided to race from Hyannis to Nantucket to settle the matter. Since they thought the competition would be fun, they board with their wives and friends on the boats as crew. They also had skippers who would be their judge, which among the boats was the fastest in getting to the Nantucket Island.

It started as a fun race, but soon it became an annual trip. They decided to make this a particular day, and they will run this race every year on Memorial Day. It is how the Figawi race came into existence. In 1978 it turned into a three-day weekend event. Today, it is still remembered for the most thrilling sailing adventures, and it is also viewed as one of the Cape Cod traditions that have to be done every year.

Event Schedule

Friday

This weekend kicks off on Friday of Memorial Day by starting with registration in the afternoon till the evening. Then after the registration, the event begins with a party held at the Hyannis, and sailors, sponsors, and other people from all over the country or world gather and reconnect by having entertainment, drinks, and dinner. The night continues with the unofficial bash at the Hyannis harbor, and you will see thousands of people having fun waiting for the following day for sailing.

Saturday

Saturday is known as race day. The race starts at the Hyannis port around 10 am and continues until around noon. The boat race toward the Nantucket; it is exciting and fast-paced racing. There is always a downtime in the middle of racing since there might be some waves that can slow down the speed. Spectators can watch from Kalmus Beach. In the evening, a tent party is held, and people enjoy themselves by dancing and drinking. Sailors and others swarm from one boat to the other to catch up with other people or make new friends.

Sunday

The Sunday schedule for the 2022 event has been changed rather than having joke-telling sessions and other events. Here you will get the opportunity to continue with the long-distance racing; it will kick off at 10 am, and the finishing line will be The Hyannis’s port jetty. Afterward, you will have post-race events and awards.

Here are some of the post-race events that you can do while waiting for the awards ceremony:

Exploring the natural preserves in the area
Strolling on the streets
Visiting brewery for wine and beer tasting
Hiking along hills
Shopping
Bike riding
Exploring the nearby beaches

In the evening, the awards ceremony begins, and all the winners or top finishers receive trophies. Also, there are other awards for the team that embrace the spirit of Figawi and the well-deserved volunteers. The Sunday concludes with a wrapping-up party with drinks, a live band, and dancing. Indeed, this is an enjoyable and fun event.

The bottom line

Memorial Day on Nantucket is an event surrounded by many activities that will take place as you sail from Hyannis harbor to Nantucket and back to Hyannis. As you already know, this weekend is famous for the Figawi race and starts from Friday to Sunday with a lot of events happening in between. It’s a worthwhile event to enjoy yourself and, at the same time to reconnect with both old and new friends. Memorial Day weekend can be the perfect time to enjoy the fantastic beaches and incredible summer vibes as the high season approaches.