Every once in awhile, an event comes around that incorporates the great city of Annapolis with live entertainment right on the water. We’re not talking about one of the mock pirate ships that docks in the harbor as educational and fun for kids. This Thursday through Sunday, Annapolis brings out all the stops at City Dock: vendors, displays, entertainment, and most importantly, powerboats. That’s right; boating season is in full swing this weekend. Slip on those boat shoes, grab the camera, and dive into a nautical-inspired weekend.
The boat shows are in their fourth year in Annapolis, complete with boats of varied sizes and speeds equipped with state-of-the-art technology, fancy accessories, and great gadgets. The boat show not only educates attendees (by the way, there are expected to be over 40,000) about powerboats, but also about boating technologies, boater’s insurance, tools to put on the boat, and other technical aspects of the sport.
If boating toys and technologies don’t interest you, head to the many demonstrations at the boat shows. Chesapeake Bay magazine and boating enthusiasts will put on seminars and demonstrations, show off antique and classic boats, and supply information about the newest navigation equipment. If you already have a boat, lucky you! Ponder the purchase of pull-behind inflatable boats and/or regular boats. Or, learn about fishing at the seminars, which only seems natural to do on a boat while at a boat show.
Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the boat show is that attendees can enter in the chance to win a week’s stay in the British Virgins Islands. Moorings Charters and BVI Tourism Board sponsor this incredible opportunity. A raffle seems appropriate–peruse boats and dream about sailing on one for free.
The logistics of the boat show are as follows:
1. You must purchase tickets to attend the boat show; the prices depend on age and number of days desired to go. Adult tickets for October 12, 13, or 14 cost $17 each. Kids ages 7 to 12 cost $4 for either of those days, and kids under seven do not require tickets. You can purchase tickets valid for two days–between October 12 and 14–for $29. Thursday is the VIP preview day, which is an opportunity that holds a separate ticket cost. Learn more about VIP tickets and purchase general admission tickets here: http://www.usboat.com/us-powerboat-show/home.
2. The boat show times on Thursday run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, the boat show is open 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the show is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, the show runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3. It would be comical yet befitting to arrive by boat, but you’re most likely coming by car. Park at either Eastport Elementary School, at the Navy Stadium, or at the many garages downtown. As always, both the Circulator and eCruiser are available for shuttling. Keep in mind that most of these parking options require you to pay for parking. For more on the shuttle services and more parking info, head to http://www.usboat.com/us-powerboat-show/show-information.
4. Our friends at AnnapolisGreen.com host nearly 25 recycling centers at various points around City Dock. Make sure that canned soda or bottled iced tea you enjoy perusing the powerboats is placed in a recycling bin, or eco-station, to be green. This is part of their festival greening initiative, which supplies large numbers of people with recycling options at entertaining events. Help them help the environment!
5. No dogs (other than service dogs) are allowed at the shows. This is simply a matter of safety regulations posted on the Annapolis Boat Shows website. In addition, strollers are discouraged.
People, powerboats, entertainment, and seminars will take over City Dock this weekend. Will you be there? Visit the website link(s) provided above or call 410-268-8828 to learn more.
Leave A Comment