More than 80 antique and classic boats—many restored to their original condition—will be featured at the 38th annual Antique and Classic Boat Show July 29-31 in Clift Park, Skaneateles.Displays on water and land will range from mahogany runabouts manufactured by Chris-Craft, Hacker and Gar Wood in the early 1900s to launches, sailboats, canoes, rowing craft and race boats. Visitors are invited to learn about the boats by reading the accompanying placards or talking with owners.
The show—one of the most popular in the Northeast—is the inaugural event for Skaneateles’ new ShoreMaster dock system, installed in May by Brinson Marine. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend.
The event is organized by the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation (also known as the Skaneateles Foundation), and presented by M&T Bank.
Highlights of the weekend include:
• Performances by the Skaneateles Community Band, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday; jazz duo Diana Jacobs and Mark Chitambar, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday; and the Soda Ash Six, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.
• A display of antique model boats by the Syracuse Model Boat Club, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• A youth judging competition, sponsored by Hagerty Classic Marine Insurance to “spark kids’ passion for wooden boats,” 10 a.m. Saturday.
• Opportunities for children to paint their own wooden boats, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Guided tours by the Skaneateles Historical Society, starting at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $10 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Historical Society.
• Knot-tying demonstrations, 1 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Gazebo.
• A boat parade and fly-by, starting at 3 p.m. Saturday.
• A photo-shoot and spectator cruise aboard the Judge Ben Wiles, 10 a.m. Sunday. The Judge will leave from the Mid-Lakes Navigation dock in Clift Park and make a slow tour of the north end of Skaneateles Lake, while exhibiting boats make random passes and provide opportunities for action shots. Tickets are $13 for adults, $5 for children under 13 accompanied by an adult. Coffee and pastries will be available. Book online atmidlakesnav.com, call 315-685-8500 or pay on board.
• Raffle drawings. First prize is a $905 escape package from Mirbeau Inn & Spa. Additional prizes are a $300 restaurant package; a $275 half-day fishing trip from Upstate Guide Service; a $100 gift certificate from Mid-Lakes Navigation; a toy wooden boat filled with lottery tickets; a $50 Elderberry Pond gift certificate; a $50 gift certificate from White and White Antiques; a framed 2016 boat show print; and a toy wooden boat filled with candy. Tickets are $5 each, three for $10, 10 for $20 and are on sale at the Chamber and at the show.
Judging of the boats, in 35 categories, takes place Saturday morning. Throughout the weekend, visitors to the show will cast their votes for the highly coveted People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Doug’s Fish Fry, which will be presented at 2:45 p.m. Sunday.
This year’s poster was developed from an oil painting by Elaine Sherwood Jakubowski, of Brighton, N.Y., an exhibitor at the show with her husband, Michael, and daughter, Blythe, since 2000, but a painter for just three years. This is the second painting she has created for the show. Titled “Southern End,” it depicts the graceful hills surrounding Skaneateles Lake—“with a bit of artistic license,” she said.
The painting can be viewed at the show’s tent in Clift Park. It will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the FLC and the Skaneateles Foundation.
Posters are $10 and are on sale at the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce, 22 Jordan St., and at the show.
In anticipation of the show, the Syracuse Model Boat Club has six model boats on display at M&T Bank in downtown Skaneateles.
Hours are 3 p.m. to dusk Friday, 9 a.m. to dusk Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The event is handicapped accessible. Admission is free.
For more information, go to http://www.skaneateles.com or call the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce at 315-685-0552.