Splashing through the water the 14th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show anchors in town Friday July 8th and Saturday 9th.
Next Thursday evening, the 7th, boats from all over the region will begin to dock in Bemus Bay, but most will arrive throughout Friday morning and afternoon. Last year almost 70 boats came to the boat show and Bill Reynolds, president of the Chautauqua Lake Twin Tier Chapter, hopes that they will get just as many this year.
“So far we have 43 registrants, but if the weather is good I hope we’ll get more,” Reynolds said.
Boat shows are very weather dependent, Reynolds said. If the weather is nicer, then more boats are likely to come to the show.
“If we match the 60-70 boat range of last year, then the remaining boats will be docked on land,” Reynolds said.
Either way, people will be able to explore both the antique and classic boats. Most of the owners will be present, so antique and classic boat enthusiasts will be able to speak with the owners whether they are interested in buying a boat or just admirers.
Last year the oldest antique boat was a Lakeland canoe from 1906, the oldest boat at the show this year is expected to be at least from 1922 (an Oldtown canoe to be exact).
Between 3,000 and 4,000 people attended the boat show last July, but Reynolds believes that more may show up with this year’s event.
Besides bringing back some old time nostalgia of “yesteryear” as Reynolds put it, the boat show is a sanctioned competition where boats will be judged in numerous categories by 14 volunteer judges who will analyze each and every boat in its respective category. For instance, Antique boats have two main categories, preserved and restored, and then are further broken down into more precise classes, such as runabouts, utilities, outboards, fiber classic, non-powered and powered boats. Classic boats, on the other hand, have three main categories: preserved, restored and contemporary.
As usual, there will be a “Field of Dreams” section that is to be filled with old boats that will be for sale.
Around the boat show there will also be numerous vendors, such as painters, mapmakers, wood carvers and maybe even brass vendors. Reynolds said that their local Twin Tier chapter will have a table set up for those interested in becoming members.
The chapter’s store will also be selling t-shirts, maps and hats during the show. In addition, there will also be a Chinese auction with quite the variety of baskets to bid on.
Also, Reynolds hopes that the new Lawson Boating Heritage Center will be open to give tours by the time the boat show comes to town.
“Bemus will be quite the place to be for all kinds of activities,” Reynolds said.
He continued to say that people would be able to enjoy the local shops, restaurants and the local playground.
“It’s going to be a great couple of days,” Reynolds said.
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