News

Dec 08, 2023

Antique & Classic Boat Festival returns to CBMM

Wooden and fiberglass classics, vintage racers, and other antique boats return

Wooden and fiberglass classics, vintage racers, and other antique boats return to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum from June 16-18 for the 35th Antique & Classic Boat Festival and Coastal Arts Fair.

ST. MICHAELS — Wooden and fiberglass classics, vintage racers, and other antique boats return to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum from June 16-18 for the 35th Antique & Classic Boat Festival and Coastal Arts Fair.

Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, this Father's Day weekend tradition is one of the largest classic boat shows in the Mid-Atlantic region and annually brings a sense of nostalgia to the Miles River and CBMM's waterfront campus.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. For advance tickets and more information, visit cbmm.org/antiqueandclassic.

In addition to the wide range of vessels on display representing a multitude of makers and eras, the Antique & Classic Boat Festival is accompanied by a juried Coastal Arts Fair showcasing vendors whose products, services and art represent boats, the water and coastal life.

Driven by the Antique & Classic Boat Society — Chesapeake Bay Chapter's mission of continuing the legacy of these venerable vessels through preservation, restoration and education — the festival will feature a lineup of 10 seminars on Friday and Saturday highlighting experts, historians, and authors. Other festival highlights include a Field of Dreams for those looking to buy, boat rides, a nautical flea market, and a children's scavenger hunt, as well as a DJ spinning classic tunes.

This three-day celebration of the past, present, and future of antique and classic boating invites guests to take a step back in time.

Builders represented at the festival typically include Chris-Craft, Lyman, Gar Wood, Elco, Thompson, Trumpy, Owens, Egg Harbor, and other great classic marques. Owners of boats in all phases of restoration in the following classes are expected to participate, as part of a varied collection featuring historic (up to 1918), antique (1919-1942), classic (1943-1975), late classic (1976-1997), and contemporary (any wooden boat built within the last 25 years) examples.

This year's festival highlights the theme of "Show Us Your First Love," inviting boat owners to display their boats and share stories about what first launched them on their lifelong love of classic and antique boats.

Two-day admission to the Antique and Classic Boat Festival is $19 for adults; $16 for seniors (65+), college students with ID, and retired military with ID; $7 for active military with ID, CBMM members, and children 6–17; and free for children 5 and younger.

In addition to advanced sales online for Friday/Saturday and Saturday/Sunday, tickets will be available at CBMM throughout the festival. No single-day tickets will be sold to this rain or shine event.

Additional free event parking for Saturday's festivities will be available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with a complimentary shuttle service to and from CBMM.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, including the Antique & Classic Boat Festival and Coastal Arts Fair. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is prohibited.

Friday, June 16:

11 a.m. — "Regional Cuisine – Old Line Plate Uncovers Classic Maryland Recipes"

Special Talk by Kara Mae Harris, Culinary Author and Blogger

Noon — "From Their Jersey Nest: Excellence in Egg Harbor Yachts"

With Steve Izant, Retired Hospitality Exec, Stage Actor, Antique Boater

1 p.m. — "The Boats of James Bond 007 or Vessels from the Movies"

Featuring Austin Berndlmaier, Alicia Boardman and Holly Tompkins

2 p.m. "Saving Finned Fiberglass Boats of the 1950s and 1960s"

Presentation by Tidewater Chapter President Eric Zellman

3 p.m. — Panel Discussion: "If You Only Had Room for a Score: The Top Twenty Mid-20th century motorboats that Should be Displayed in a Mid-Atlantic Museum," with an Expert Panel and Staff of Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, featuring Pete Lesher, chief curator, CBMM; Chris Seabuddy Brown of PropTalk; Jeff Beard of Classic Boating Magazine; and Andreas Rhude, Midwest Boat Historian.

Saturday, June 17:

11 a.m. — "A CanAm Connection: Shepherd and Jafco Boats of Niagara Lake"

Featuring Paul Warner, Retired Annapolis Architect & ACBS Chapter Founder

Noon — "From Martha to Perri Lee – Evolution of a Hooper Island Draketail"

With Designer Gary Van Tassel and Vessel Owner Lewis Gayner

1 p.m. — "All in the Family? Boats by Thompson, Cruisers, T&T, Grady-White"

Special presentation by Andreas Jordahle Rhude, Midwest Maritime Historian

2 p.m. — "Fine American Designs Coronado, Sea Lark, SeaHawk by Arbib, Stevens, Loewy"

With Jeff Beard, Classic Boating Magazine Contributing Author

3 p.m. — "First Loves – Boats That Grabbed Our Hearts (and We Won't Let Go)"

Deb Fass and her beloved Century Coronado; Paul Spadaro and his Pre-War Richardson; Holly Tompkins and her Hunt-design Cayuga"

Moderated by Past CBC/ACBS Commodores

Seminars are free to all Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Members, Antique Boat Festival participants, and visitors who have paid admission to the museum grounds.

For more information, contact Classic Boat Festival Seminars Chair Jeff Beard at 202-651-0671.

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