BY Stephanie Specchio
HAMMONDSPORT--For the 40th year, the Wine Country Classic Boat Show will bring nautical history to life. More than 50 antique and classic boats will be on full display this weekend (July 15 and 16) at Depot Park in Hammondsport. Although most of the boats represent the early 1900s, one canoe is expected from the 1800s. Admission is complimentary for this rain or shine event.
“Seeing the boats each year is a surprise,” said Pam Gratzer, commodore of the Wine Country Classic Boat Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. “New boats are a treat, and I always look forward to seeing and enjoying the work people have done on their boats over the year, the revarnishing for example. It’s a labor of love.”
The event offers something for everyone, with an old-fashioned water skiing exhibition and wake-boarding presentations on Sunday at 10 a.m. In addition, a local family is expected to do pyramids on the water, much like those presented during shows at Cyprus Gardens, according to Gratzer. These activities will be tied together with music provided by a local DJ throughout the weekend.
This year’s event will once again offer expanded youth activities, which will be held in the registration area. Young boating enthusiasts are invited to participate in a nautically-themed scavenger hunt, knot tying hands-on demonstrations, model boat decorating, and paracord bracelet-making. In addition, all children at least 7 years old are invited to join the Hagerty Youth Judging Committee. The judging process begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and is expected to take approximately 1.5 hours.
Registered boats will participate in an on-water parade on Saturday at 3 p.m. During the first lap, each vessel will be described with renovations highlighted. During the second lap, the boats show their stuff with the traditional “fly-by.” Several awards will be given to boats entered in the Show, including recognition by type of hull and year produced. As well, awards will be given for the Antique and Classic Boat Society Class, Wine Country Classic Boat Marque, the People’s Choice, the Hagerty Youth Judging awards, the Virginia Dare Best in Show, Best Finger Lakes Built Boat, and others.
HAMMONDSPORT--For the 40th year, the Wine Country Classic Boat Show will bring nautical history to life. More than 50 antique and classic boats will be on full display this weekend (July 15 and 16) at Depot Park in Hammondsport. Although most of the boats represent the early 1900s, one canoe is expected from the 1800s. Admission is complimentary for this rain or shine event.
“Seeing the boats each year is a surprise,” said Pam Gratzer, commodore of the Wine Country Classic Boat Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. “New boats are a treat, and I always look forward to seeing and enjoying the work people have done on their boats over the year, the revarnishing for example. It’s a labor of love.”
The event offers something for everyone, with an old-fashioned water skiing exhibition and wake-boarding presentations on Sunday at 10 a.m. In addition, a local family is expected to do pyramids on the water, much like those presented during shows at Cyprus Gardens, according to Gratzer. These activities will be tied together with music provided by a local DJ throughout the weekend.
This year’s event will once again offer expanded youth activities, which will be held in the registration area. Young boating enthusiasts are invited to participate in a nautically-themed scavenger hunt, knot tying hands-on demonstrations, model boat decorating, and paracord bracelet-making. In addition, all children at least 7 years old are invited to join the Hagerty Youth Judging Committee. The judging process begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and is expected to take approximately 1.5 hours.
Registered boats will participate in an on-water parade on Saturday at 3 p.m. During the first lap, each vessel will be described with renovations highlighted. During the second lap, the boats show their stuff with the traditional “fly-by.” Several awards will be given to boats entered in the Show, including recognition by type of hull and year produced. As well, awards will be given for the Antique and Classic Boat Society Class, Wine Country Classic Boat Marque, the People’s Choice, the Hagerty Youth Judging awards, the Virginia Dare Best in Show, Best Finger Lakes Built Boat, and others.
