Mariah Giesen, who helps manage the marina, says it’s a busy time of year as members get ready to launch their boats for the season.
The marina’s boating season officially began on May 1, but this weekend was a celebration for members and the local community.
“We always select an opening weekend to do a party for our members,” said Giesen.
The party this year happened to land on Mother’s Day weekend, so the marina partnered with The Mom Market Collective to put on a Mother’s Day-themed vendor event.
The Mom Market Collective is run by area resident Laura Galpin, who was at the marina on Saturday to hand out roses to all mothers who attended the event.
There were also games for the kids and a gift basket raffle.
Dozens of local vendors were set up around the marina property, selling everything from custom jewellery to candles to woodwork.
“We are catering our events a little bit more to our members and neighbours also this year, something to make them feel invited,” said Giesen.
Cooks Bay Marina has 150 slips, with 130 occupied by members. They also offer boat rentals to the public, including pontoons, fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, hydro bikes, and paddle boards.
“We have lots of variety of vessels to run, so it’s pretty fun,” said Giesen.
During the pandemic, Giesen says business was extremely busy, noting all the marina’s fleet would be booked solid daily.
“It slowed down, but we’re still busy because we cater to a lot of areas in the business,” said Giesen, referring to the marina’s on-site food truck, a workshop for boat repairs and service, and rental service that attracts both locals and tourists.
This is Giesen’s third season working at the marina. She keeps busy with the marina’s ice-fishing service during the winter months. She also works closely with the general manager, who lives in Toronto, to brainstorm ideas for the marina’s seasonal events.
This year, she says they hope to draw in more of the local community as well as its slip members.
“We are doing more physical events like this (the market), this year, and letting people know we are here, and to come have fun,” she said.
Giesen says there will be other family-friendly events coming up this season, including Father’s Day and Kid’s Day celebrations. The marina’s event listings for the season will be posted on the website this week.
Cooks Bay Marina is located at 1155 Gilford Rd., in Innisfil. To learn more, visit their website by clicking here.