An exciting weekend of hydroplane racing supporting local military personnel, teachers, healthcare professionals, first responders and youth is returning to Oak Harbor for its seventh year.

This year’s annual Hydros for Heroes event will take place Sept. 9 and 10. Races will be happening in the Oak Harbor Bay throughout both days, with plenty of other fun events happening downtown for spectators to enjoy, including a beer garden, vendors booths and, on Saturday, a car show in partnership with Whidbey Cruzers.

For Navy personnel, there will also be a meet and greet event in the afternoon on Sept. 8 on base at the Convergence Zone Recreation Center. Attendees can meet the drivers and check out their boats, including a vintage boat from the Hydroplane Race Museum.

According to ​​race organizer Craig McKenzie of Better Homes and Gardens McKenzie Realty, Hydros for Heroes is the only hydroplane race in the country that donates all of its proceeds to charitable causes every year.

“Last year, we helped fund Christmas dinner for our local deputy sheriffs, funded several college scholarships (and) donated to a suicide prevention fund for our military,” he wrote in an email, adding that this year, he hopes to do even more to support local heroes.

Residents can find more information about the event or sign up to volunteer at hydrosforheroes.com.