Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to host 25th annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival

     St. Michaels, Md. -- A collection of antique Silver Arrow Chris-Craft boats headlines the 25th anniversary celebration of the Antique & Classic Boat Festival, to be held at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum over this Father's Day weekend. The event takes place June 15-17 and is hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS).

     Made in limited production in the late '50s, the 19' Silver Arrow runabout is considered a collectable treasure today. Powered by a big V-8 Detroit engine, its unique design combines a wood hull with a sleek and sophisticated fiberglass exterior, distinguished by the Silver Arrow's '50s-style tail fins.

     The festival also features more than 100 antique and classic boats, as well as building demonstrations, maritime artists and craftsmen, craft vendors, and a nautical flea market featuring classic old boats, motors, and more. A selection of regional and grilled foods, beer and music will be provided throughout the festival.

     As an ACBS-judged boat show, the festival brings visitors the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest antique and classic boats from across the country, which will be displayed in the water and on land at CBMM. Wood and early fiberglass-classics are featured- from runabouts to yachts, including race boats, work boats, launches, hydroplanes, and utilities.

     Several boat models depicting unique, Chesapeake watercraft will also be on display, including Sea Skiffs, Owens cabin cruisers, and Whirlwind sport boats. The competition culminates in a Father's Day award ceremony, where boat owners will be recognized for their commitment to antique and classic boat preservation and restoration.

     The festival also features "The Arts at Navy Point," where national artists and craftsmen offer maritime-themed items for boat and home. Children's activities include boat-building craft projects, and a youth judging event that educates young girls and boys about the award-winning qualities of preserved and restored classic boats. Along the Fogg's Landing side of CBMM's campus, the festival's "Field of Dreams" features an array of restorable classic boats and motors, along with other items for sale in a nautical flea market.

     Festival hours are Friday, June 15, from 11am to 5pm; Saturday, June 16, from 10am to 5pm; and Father's Day, Sunday, June 17, from 10am to 2pm. The festival includes admission to the museum's twelve exhibit buildings, where authentic, Chesapeake boats and traditions are highlighted. The event is free for CBMM members and children under six, or $13 for adults; $10 for seniors; and $6 for children 6-17. For more information, call 410-745-2916 or visit www.cbmm.org.

ISARA 50 to Debut at Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show

     Annapolis, Md. -- The ISARA 50 catamaran has arrived and will be floating at City Dock during the Spring Sailboat Show this weekend.

     The catamaran is being offered by the Bay Yacht Agency, which specializes in new boats designed for both offshore sailing and coastal cruising. Find out more at www.bayacht.com.

Sailboat Show Next Weekend in Annapolis

     Annapolis, Md. -- The event which has become the gold standard for sailboat shows, the
United States Sailboat Show, is coming to downtown Annapolis April 27-29. Forty two years ago the concept of producing a boat show in the water was invented in Annapolis by Jerry Wood. All these years later it remains the largest in-water show of new sailboats in the world and will now be copied in a springtime version. Annapolis City Dock, Ego Alley and surrounding areas including Susan Campbell Park will be the site for this exciting new event.

     The show will feature Cruisers University, a four-day educational event designed to introduce and train students for life aboard a cruising boat. Classes will be held in the Annapolis Waterfront Marriott and the
Annapolis Rec Center.

     The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show will include over 2,000 feet of floating docks accommodating over 60 new and brokerage sailboats, both mono and multihull. In addition there will be equipment and accessory vendors on land surrounding Ego Alley.

Bay Bridge Boat Show Under Way

     Stevensville, Md. -- Recognized as the largest spring recreational boating extravaganza in the Mid-Atlantic, the annual Bay Bridge Boat Show will be held in Stevensville, Maryland, April 19-22.

    More than two hundred new and brokerage boats of every size and style will be on display in the water and on land, including a wide range of water craft from PWC's, inflatables and kayaks, to fishing boats and trailerable sport boats. A large selection of  express cruisers, trawlers, and cruising boats will also be in the water to tour and enjoy.

     Throughout the grounds, an equally impressive assortment of marine-related exhibitors will display and share their products to provide one-stop shopping for spring commissioning. 

     Tickets are $12 for adults and $4 for youth ages 7-12. Children 6 and under may attend for free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at http://www.usboat.com. 

     For a complete description of events and activities surrounding the show, call 410-268-8828 or visit  http://www.usboat.com.

More Scenes from the Baltimore Boat Show

     Baltimore, Md. -- The Baltimore Boat Show continues today and tomorrow. Here are some scenes from the show. Find out more at http://www.baltimoreboatshow.com