TOGA’s annual fall float sale and educational event is Saturday, October 18 from 9 am to 12 noon in Kilmarnock at Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Rd. Orders must be placed by October 1,  2025. (See below for BYO Float Workshop info, for Sat. 10/11).

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TOGA provides educational materials and personal consultation with Master Oyster Gardeners (MOGs) who work with both prospective and experienced oyster gardeners. Purchasing a TOGA float, high quality at great prices, requires current membership, so renew now, or JOIN TOGA today.

 

If you are not experienced, you may attend the free OYS-101: Basic Oyster Gardening Class on 9/20, Saturday, 10– 11:30 AM at the Lancaster Community Library, 16 Town Centre Dr, Kilmarnock, VA, Small Meeting Rm Downstairs. Contact Richard Siciliano to register, richs@togaboard.org. (NOTE: the last class is prior to the sale order deadline so that you know what you need to order!)

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The sale includes Taylor Floats, Flip Floats, Tidal Tumblers, Rough Riders, and Bottom Cages, along with spat tubes, and wire benders, which are preordered. Spat bags, hats, shirts, aprons, and other TOGA logo items will be on sale, as well, but pre-orders are not required. Check TOGA’s website for Oyster Device Descriptions.

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Some of our cage configurations have changed. The Flip Float is now 36” by 23” by 6” and has 2 molded 5 Liter floats. The Tidal Tumbler uses one molded 5 Liter float.​​​ For this fall we are selling Spat Tubes made from a vinyl-dipped minnow trap with the end holes covered to keep the spat in and the predators out. These can be used independently suspended with crab-pot line, or inside a Tidal Tumbler or a Rough Rider (two of these Spat Tubes will fit).

 

Orders must be placed by October 1,  2025. TOGA accepts checks or cash, and payment is due at pickup. In order to avoid state taxes on our float sales, we follow “Occasional Sales” policy for nonprofits in Virginia. As a result, if you cannot pick up your float on sales day, you must make arrangements to pay for your float within 7 days following the sale. 

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Vendors will be on hand selling triploid and diploid spat. In the past, demand for floats has been very high. As a result, this year vendors will be on hand to sell their floats and equipment. This is intended to help walk-ups, members who missed the order deadline, and those looking for different style floats, tools, and supplies TOGA does not sell.TOGA may also have extras on sale for purchase.

 

This event is one of TOGA’s primary fundraising activities, with all proceeds benefiting TOGA, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and its members. All proceeds beyond material costs go to the TOGA/VIMS Student Fellowship Endowment and to other needs determined by the TOGA Board of Directors.

 

Purchasing a TOGA float requires current membership, so renew now, or JOIN TOGA today. You may order up to three wire floats plus two spat tubes total, including build-your-own purchases. If you are unsure about your membership status, check the address label on the back of the mailed newsletter. Otherwise, inquire when you fill out a float order form, either online or on the mail-in form. You may also contact Vic Spain at vicspain@rocketmail.com.

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Ordering Floats/Cages

The preferred online order form creates a record in our files and returns a copy of your order to you by email. Pay (by check or cash) when you pick up your order. If you cannot be at the sales event, ask us to hold your float for you, and let us know when and where you will pick up your purchase. Otherwise, the float(s) you ordered may be sold. So, please pick up your pre-ordered floats by 11 am. Unclaimed and unreserved floats will go on sale to walkups.

 

If you choose to order floats by mail download the mail-in order form. Submit a completed form by mail to the address on the form (or email a copy to: vicspain@rocketmail.com).  

 

Also available at the sale will be small or medium spat bags, crab pot line, float wire mesh, shell bag material, TOGA hats, and T-shirts (no need to order).

 

 

Build-Your-Own Float Workshop:

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Camp Kekoka, 9 am to 12 noon

 

TOGA members who help build their own floats before the sale get a $25 discount on items they build, may sign up on either the online or mail-in order forms. Contact Vic Spain for details: vicspain@rocketmail.com