In the days before Wi-Fi, Fitbits and phablets, when recreation was simpler (and, some would say, more fun), wooden boats provided the means for an idyllic summertime sojourn.
Some 90 boats of this bygone era will again have their heyday, at Skaneateles' Antique and Classic Boat Show July 24-26 in Clift Park.
There, water and land displays will feature mahogany runabouts manufactured by Chris-Craft, Hacker and Gar Wood in the early 1900s, along with launches, sailboats, canoes, rowing craft and race boats—many restored to their original condition.
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.
The show, which attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year, is organized by the Finger Lakes Chapter (FLC) 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.
Exhibitors come not only from Central New York, but also from New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina and Canada. "Many travel hundreds of miles to get here, to afford others the opportunity to get up-close and personal with these grand old boats," says FLC president Jack Gifford.
This is the Finger Lakes Chapter's 37th annual show, and the 21st year it has been held in Skaneateles.
"The show has become a tradition for exhibitors, families and visitors," says Tara Lynn, executive director of the Skaneateles Foundation. "With children's activities, the boat parade, free concerts, historical tours—and the village's many fine boutiques, galleries and restaurants—there truly is something for everyone."
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 3 p.m. Sunday.
New this year, the Sea Scouts will present knot-tying demonstrations Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Gazebo.
Additional highlights include:
• A boat parade and fly-by, starting at 3 p.m. Saturday.
• 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.
• 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 $12 for adults, $5 for children under 13 accompanied by an adult. Coffee and pastries will be available; no reservations are necessary.
• Raffle drawings.
This year's poster was developed from a 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 two years.
"On a whim, my family and I decided to spend the entire year of 2013 at our summer cottage on Keuka Lake, N.Y., and each of us decided to try our hands at something new," she explains. "I picked up a paintbrush and realized I was quite taken by the area's hayfields and the ever-changing clouds. I produced so many paintings that a friend suggested I enter the Hammondsport Art Show to move them out of our little cottage!" When she did, she took first place in the Amateur Oils/Acrylics category.
For the Boat Show, she painted a scene of a summer afternoon in Clift Park at the dawn of the 20th century.
Posters are $10 and are on sale at the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce, 22 Jordan St., and at the show.
The Antique and Classic Boat Show is officially sponsored by M&T Bank. Contributing sponsors are Summit Auto, the Sherwood Inn, Katz's Marina, Sammut Wealth Management, Doug's Fish Fry, Hagerty Classic Marine Insurance, Pioneer Management Group LLC, Delmonico Insurance, Wirth's Automotive Services, Mid-Lakes Navigation, Johnny Angel's Heavenly Burgers and Janice M. Miller, Architect. Media sponsors are Group M Communications, the Skaneateles Journal and WRVO Public Media.
For more information, go to http://www.skaneateles.com or call the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce at (315) 685-0552.
