Boat Show Program

Skaneateles Boat Show Offers Classic Exhibits, Entertainment

The Antique and Classic Boat Show returns to Clift Park July 25-27, with exhibitors from throughout New York state, the East Coast and the Midwest eager to share their passion for antique boating. 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, now in its 47th year overall and its 31st year in Skaneateles, is hosted by the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

In some 80 displays on water and land, visitors will be able to view — and meet the owners of — classic runabouts, launches, sailboats, canoes, rowing craft and race boats, many restored to their original condition. The names are legendary: Gar Wood, Chris-Craft, Century.

“Our exhibitors love to talk about their boats,” says FLC president Paul Garrett. “If you see someone down by their boat and have a question, by all means ask. They’ll be happy to explain its backstory and how it was restored.”

Featured boats include Whirlwind III, a ca. 1933 gaff-rigged stern steerer iceboat owned by Alex Innes of Auburn; Tootsie, a 1956 Lone Star Meteor outboard owned by Steve Shehadi of Skaneateles; Lil Rascal, a 1994 modified Rascal runabout built and owned by Daniel Tobey of Eliot, Maine; Serendipity, a 1968 Lyman Sleeper owned by Dave Couch of Marietta; and Garrett’s mini-tugboat, Little Toot.

“Little Toot, unlike our other displays, is hands-on and open to all,” says Garrett. “We invite you to jump on in, ring the bell, honk the horn, take photos and enjoy.”

Activities Ahead

“The Antique and Classic Boat Show offers nonstop splendor, set against the backdrop of Skaneateles’ fine boutiques, galleries and restaurants,” says Hilary Fenner, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “We can’t wait to welcome you!”

Highlights of the weekend include:

Boat parade, led by the Skaneateles Fire Department, starting at 3:15 p.m. Saturday.

Performances by the Skaneateles Community Band, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday; Julie Howard and Bob Piorun, 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, 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15.

Youth judging, 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Opportunities for children to participate in the McClurg Building Corner, 3 to 5 p.m. Friday; paint toy wooden boats, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and enjoy a craft activity hosted by the Skaneateles Library, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

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.

At 1:30 p.m. Sunday, raffle drawings will be held for 10 prizes.

First prize, Relax in Skaneateles, combines a spa package from Mirbeau Inn & Spa with a $100 gift card from Gilda’s and class passes from Sky Yoga. Second prize is a MacKenzie-Childs Plum Check compote. Third prize is a Skaneateles Downtown basket.

Other prizes include a Theatre package featuring two tickets to The REV production of “Bonnie and Clyde” and dinner at Prison City Brewing; an Experience the Skaneateles Area package featuring a $100 gift card from Mid-Lakes Navigation and a Visit Syracuse gift basket; and a Breakfast in Skaneateles package featuring coffee mugs and $25 gift cards from At Long Last, Clover’s and Patisserie.

Also, a toy wooden boat filled with lottery tickets; a Boat Show basket featuring items from the Ship’s Store; a framed 2025 Boat Show poster; and a toy wooden boat filled with candy.

Tickets are $5 each, three for $10 or 10 for $20, and are available at the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce, 22 Jordan St., and under the sponsor tent at the show.

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.

Staging Awards will recognize the best staged displays in water and on land. Judging will take place Saturday morning by members of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation; winners will be announced Saturday afternoon.

The poster for this year’s show is based on a painting by Skaneateles artist Joan Marcoccia Coates. As a child, Coates was inspired by her grandmother, “a wonderful artist” who encouraged her to pursue painting. Coates studied at Syracuse University, taking classes in fine arts and education. During her years as an elementary school teacher, she continued to paint and create art. In 1994, Coates’ son, George Marcoccia, captured a photo of the boat show from the pier; Coates used the photo as the template for the painting that appears in the poster.

Posters are $10 and are on sale at the show and the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. More of Coates’ work can be seen at Vintage Bling and Other Fabulous Things, 18 E. Genesee St.

Boat show T-shirts will be available at the Ship’s Store, along with a wide variety of nautical apparel and decor.

In advance of the show, Puller, a Pulling Boat owned by Skaneateles resident Steve Shehadi, is on display at M&T Bank in Skaneateles. Pulling Boats are similar to Adirondack Guideboats, but heavier. Puller was built in 1916 by the Skaneateles Boat and Canoe Co. and returned to Skaneateles last year, after having spent most of its “life” in Minnesota and Michigan. It won the award for Best Historic Craft at the 2024 boat show.

It Takes a Village

“Our sponsors make this show happen,” says Fenner. “We couldn’t do it without them, and we are beyond grateful for their support.”

As in past years, M&T Bank is the presenting sponsor.

Contributing sponsors include the Sherwood Inn, Beak & Skiff/1911, Brinson Marine, Doug’s Fish Fry, The Savage Homestead, Finger Lakes Insurance Agency, Jacobs Press, Valentine’s Pizza and Deli, 1st National Gifts, MacKenzie-Childs, Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Skaneateles Brewery, Skaneateles Festival, Skaneateles Fields Resort & Spa, Skaneateles Town Square, Bluewater Grill, Floor Coverings International of CNY, Gilda’s, Janice Miller, Architect, Mid-Lakes Navigation, Sea Culture Brand, SECNY Federal Credit Union, Stroll Skaneateles, The REV Theatre Company, Tops Friendly Markets, Visit Syracuse and Wirth’s Automotive.

Media partners are FLX Local Media, Group M Communications 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 and Appetites, will run between the High School Lower Lot and Genesee Street by the gazebo. Hours of service are 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to. 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

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

Thank you to our sponsors who make this event a reality!