Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat ShowSkaneateles, N.Y. - Oh, the places they have been. The stories they could tell. And soon, these storied boats of yesteryear  — all beautifully restored — will dock in Skaneateles. Skaneateles’ Antique and Classic Boat Show returns to Clift Park July 24-26. Hours are 3 p.m. to dusk Friday, 9 a.m. to dusk Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

The show, hosted by the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, draws exhibitors from throughout New York state, the East Coast, the Midwest and Canada. About 10,000 visitors attend each year.

This marks the show’s 48th anniversary, and its 32nd year in Skaneateles.

Visitors wll be able to view, and meet the owners of, some 80 runabouts, launches, sailboats, canoes, rowing craft and race boats, many restored to their original condition. The names are legendary: Gar Wood, Chris-Craft, Century (which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year).

Also celebrating its 100th anniversary is featured boat Black Witch, a 25-foot 1926 Hacker Craft that was the treasured boat of the late Syd Marsden. A full history of the boat (which includes documented rum-running in eastern Lake Ontario during Prohibition) will be posted at its dock. Additionally, the Syracuse Model Boat Club will display an authentic scale model of the boat, built around 2016, near the show’s registration tent.

Another featured boat is a rare 1959 Beeline Sapphire, owned and meticulously restored by Steve Shehadi. The Sapphire model was produced from 1957 to 1959 and featured prominent fins on either side. Beeline produced 14 of these fiberglass runabouts — and finished just six in 1959.

“The Antique and Classic Boat Show is more than an exhibit,” says Lindsey Babbles, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a full weekend experience filled with entertainment and family friendly activities. We can’t wait to welcome you!”

Highlights include:

  • Boat parade, led by the Skaneateles Fire Department, starting at 3:15 p.m. Saturday.
  • Performances by the Skaneateles Community Band, 7 to 8 p.m. Friday; Big D and Skip, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday; and the Soda Ash 6, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
  • Display of model antique boats by the Syracuse Model Boat Club, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
  • Guided village bus tours, presented by the Skaneateles Historical Society, Saturday.
  • Youth judging, 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
  • Opportunities for children to participate in the McClurg Building Corner, 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, and paint toy wooden boats, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (while supplies last) Saturday.
  • 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 $17/adults, $7/children 12 and under. 
  • Raffle drawings, 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Judging of the boats, in 35 categories, takes place Saturday morning. Throughout the weekend, visitors will cast their votes for the highly coveted People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Doug’s Fish Fry, which will be presented at 1:45 p.m. Sunday.

This year’s poster was inspired by a photo taken by Sue Kiesel at the 2013 boat show and designed by Michael and Elaine Jakubowski. Posters are $10 and are on sale at the show and the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce, 22 Jordan St. 

To preview the show, a 1963 Marchetti Hydro owned by FLC immediate past president Dave Couch will be on display at M&T Bank in Skaneateles starting July 1. Couch painted the boat red, white and blue to mark the country’s 250th anniversary.

M&T Bank is the show’s presenting sponsor. Contributing sponsors include Beak & Skiff/1911 Established, Doug’s Fish Fry Skaneateles, Sherwood Inns & Appetites, Skaneateles Fields Resort & Spa and The Savage Homestead. 

Media partners are Group M Communications, Eagle Newspapers, FLX Local Media, Neighbors of Skaneateles, Stroll Skaneateles and WRVO Public Media.

Paid parking is available in the municipal lot (accessed through Genesee or State streets), where parking is 75 cents an hour and all-day parking is $6. Free parking is available in the Austin Park Pavilion lot at the corner of Jordan and Austin streets and in the lower gravel lot of Skaneateles High School across from Leitch Avenue. A free shuttle, sponsored by Sherwood Inns & Appetites, will run between the two lots and the village.

For more information, go to skaneateles.com or facebook.com/skaneateleschamber/ or call 315-685-0552.

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