The flash of polished bronze and gleam of varnished wood across the water will be the order of the day as elegant antique and classic yachts sail into the host city of Salem, Massachusetts for the 28th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival August 28-29. Mostly wood, primarily private yachts and aesthetically stunning, the vessels will be on display to the public over the weekend at Hawthorne Cove Marina. A hallmark of the Festival is the great variety of craft exhibited. "Where else," says Pat Wells, Coordinator, "can one see 1920s-50s motor yachts, mahogany speedboats, sloops, yawls, schooners and a 19th century gold-leaf canoe! Although many of these craft are museum quality, they are real boats in the water and in use by their owners today."

To the delight of the public, some skippers sport vintage garb; others display period décor, table settings and captivating floral arrangements aboard their boat. Welcome mats are in evidence and children, pets and parrots have been known to enliven the scene. Many hospitable owners invite the public aboard for a personal tour, regaling visitors with tales of their boat's history, memorable voyages and the joys and woes of restoring their classic.

The Festival is more than boats.  There is a crafts fair, children's activities, live music performed throughout the weekend and, the grand finale, the Parade of Boats seen from the end of Derby Wharf Sunday at 3:15 PM.

The purpose of the Festival, according to Pat Wells, is to encourage owners of the grand old craft to restore and keep up their boats. "This is important as their vessels are our maritime heritage. If they don't bother, we lose it!"

The Festival is grateful for our Flagship Sponsors ­ Hawthorne Cove Marina, Russo Marine, Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, Hagerty Classic Boat Insurance, Salem Witch Museum, The Nachbur Family Fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey, Jonathan J. Margolis, Tom and Jean Fisher ­ Without their help and that of other contributors there would be no show!

Previous Festival "stars" have included among others:

• RAGTIME, 1928, 64' Commuter yacht, owned by Jeff Lowell, West Southport, ME
• OLD GLORY, 1918, 58' canoe stern power cruiser built by George Lawley & Son in Dorchester and owned by Bill Skinner and Viking Gustafson of Winthrop MA
• GOLDENEYE, 1960, 39'Concordia yawl, owned by Gregory Nulk, Kittery, ME
• GHOST, 1934 custom powerboat owned by Jim Watson of Cohasset MA
• TABBY, 1946 Fenwick Williams 18' Cape Cod catboat owned by Philip Carling of Hingham MA
• JUNIATA, 1927 New York Consolidated commuter yacht, owned by Karen Stimpson of Portland ME
• DAME OF SARK, 1961, Concordia 40 yawl, owned by Joseph Callaghan, Cheshire, CT
• JOHANNA, 1989 Hacker 30' runabout, owned by Daniel Prigmore, Hull, MA
• SEA HARMONY, 1937, 33' Albert Strange yawl, owned by Thad Danielson, Marblehead, MA
• ZAZIE, 1946, 23' Chris Craft express cruiser, owned by Chip and Mena Holmes, Prides Crossing, MA
• JASON, 1965 23' Riva Ariston runabout, owned by Nick Mango, Marblehead, MA
• TANNIS, 1937 38' Friendship Sloop, owned by John Cronin, Sturbridge, MA
• CG36500, 1946 Coast Guard 26' motor lifeboat, owned by Orleans Historical Society, Orleans, MA
• WHIRL-A-WAY, 1940, 16' Chris-Craft Deluxe runabout, owned by Harry Rohrer, Sparta NJ
• BUCCANEER, 1965, 58' Essex schooner, owned by Robert Casian, Hampton Falls NH
• QUEENIE, 1900, 16' Old Town courting canoe, owned by Ernest Osborn, Derry NH
• and many more!

AND MANY, MANY GREAT CRAFT ARE EXPECTED TO BE AT THE FESTIVAL!

The idea for the festival was hatched by Pat Wells of BEME as a vehicle for bringing the public back to the Harbors of Massachusetts, celebrating and preserving maritime heritage and promoting the need for boating facilities and public landings on our coastline. The Festival has been held in Boston, Charlestown, Quincy, and Salem.

Friday,  August 27

3 pm - 6 pm                Boat Registration and Check-in                                         Marina Deck - under tent

6 pm - 8 pm                Reception with buffet and music  by Fo’c’s’le Trio            House of the Seven Gables  
                                   (skippers & crews)      

Saturday,  August 28

9 am - 11 am              Boat Registration and Check-in                                           Marina Deck - under tent

10 am - 5 pm              Exhibits and Crafts Market                                                  Exhibits Tent

                                   Children’s activities                                                            Exhibits Tent
                                                                                                                                              
10 am                          Opening Ceremony heralded by bagpipes                          Marina Deck

                                    Welcome by Mayor Kimberly Driscoll and others

                                    Presentation of the Edgar B. Caffrey Award

                                    Introduction of  Judges                                                         

11 am - 5 pm               Judging of Boats                                                                 C Dock

                                    Vessels on Public Display                                                  C Dock      
                                        
12 – 5 pm                    Make your own wee boat (for children of all ages)           Marina Deck                         

12 - 2 pm                     New Liberty Jazz Band                                                      Marina Deck            

  3 - 4 pm                     Three Sheets to the Wind                                                   Marina Deck

  7 pm                           Dinner and Awards Presentation (ticket holders)              Tent
                                    
                                                                                                                                              

Sunday, August 29

8 am - 10 am               Continental Breakfast  (skippers & crews)                        Marina Deck

10 am                           Skippers' Meeting                                                             Marina Deck

10:30 am                     Boaters' Worship Service                                                  Marina Deck

11 am – 2:45 pm         Vessels on Public Display at dock                                      C  Dock

11 am – 3 pm              Exhibits and Crafts Market                                                  Exhibits Tent

                                   Children’s activities                                                            Exhibits Tent            
                                                                                                                                                     
                                   Make your own wee boat  (for children of all ages)           Marina Deck                                    

12 – 1 pm                  Blue of a Kind                                                                       Marina Deck

1:30 - 3 pm                New New Orleans Jazz Band                                               Marina Deck
                                        
3 pm                           Announcement of Spectators' Choice winners
                                        
                                   Blessing of the Fleet with “Amen” response

3:15 pm                    Grand Parade of Boats in Salem Harbor                               Derby Wharf (10 min. walk west on Derby St.)

Dates: August 28-29, 2010

Times: Sat - 11 am - 5 pm; Sun - 11 am - 3 pm

Place: Located at Hawthorne Cove Marina, 10 White Street, Salem, MA

Cost: $5.00 Donation (Children Under 12 Free)

Information & Boat Entry: 617-666-8530; 617-868-7587

Hawthorne Cove Marina is at 10 White Street, Salem, MA 01970, Tel: 978-740-9890, VHF Channel 8.