Wed thru monday for us. CAN'T WAIT:drink:

What does it take to get in the pits besides a VIP pass? The VIP seems a bit steep. Can you just buy a day pass?

Dont need VIP you can get pit passes right at the gate and watch the races on the wall.

Who the hell goes to the race pits? :angry-smiley-038:

200 poker run boats in the harbor and 40 race boats in the pits. Poker run boats free to view, race pits are pay-per-view? Sounds like a it's backwards.

So true. In all the years I've been to KW (granted, only started going about 10 years ago), I've only wondered into the pits one time and it was disappointing at best. The street party/parade is a blast, the races are great to watch, but the pits??...eh?

I think the races and the poker run in combination with the location make for the perfect storm and wouldn't want to see the races go away but I ain't paying to go walk through the pits!

What night is the parade?

It's kind've a street party more thatn a "parade". It's Friday night from like 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Thousands of people. It's a very cool event that brings racers, fans, poker runners and industry leaders from around the world to one place - Duvall St.

Never know who you'll run into but I can assure you, you stand in front of Sloppy Joes or Dicks Bar and you'll see EVERYONE!!!

Nevermind what I asked about going to the pits :whistle:.... I have never been there for the races before.

Is there a certain marina that all of the poker runners congregrate at? - I know, I'm such a newby. Any direction or advice is appreciated.

See you all - on Duval St.

Best place for you to start is the Conch Republic (Bar/Restaurant). There you will be able to check out poker run village set up right outside and that will get you to the boardwalk where all the boats dock.

If this is your 1st time it might be worth checking out the pits just to see what it's all about, but I would suggest going on a non-race day, which I believe will save you a few $'s on admissions and will give you an opportunity to talk to some of the racers on their day off.

Just found out my 500 dollar a night hotel (Hyatt regency) charges extra to rent a table to watch the races, but gives guests first option at said table. They haven't decide how much the tables are going to be for the day yet, garbage!

Thank you! Great info. May check out the pits on an off day, but will definitely check out Conch Republic and all the hardware on the docks.