Relive the ‘Resort Era’ at Antique & Classic Boat Show

MINOCQUA - The Minocqua Antique & Classic Boat Show will once again delight spectators when owners of these classic beauties line up along the Minocqua Chain of Lakes on Friday and Saturday, June 16 & 17.

These resort-era vessels – the likes of Chris Craft, Gar Wood, Century, Hutchinsin – will be coming from all corners of the upper Midwest for this annual event. The wooden runabouts with their powerful inboard engines, churning out a soul-stirring rumble, harken back to the 1930s and 40s when they ruled the waters in the Northwoods resort communities.

This in-water and on-land show will be headquartered at Torpy Park, downtown Minocqua, where piers will accommodate some two dozen wooden boats and the lawn will be host to even more watercraft. The public is invited to walk on the docks and around the park to view the interiors of the finely-crafted boats, and talk with the owners. (While the owners will be cruising the lakes, no rides will be available for the public due to liability concerns.)

There will also be a display of 1960s-70s classic fiberglass Tri Hull runabouts on the park grounds. In all, there will be some 60 boats –large and small – either in the water or on land, says event director Marc Toigo of Minocqua Antique & Classic Boat Show LLC.

As an added bonus, the partnering Minocqua Lions Club will bring in top-rated performers for 2 days of LIVE MUSIC. The Minocqua Lions will also be providing food and beverages both days. The event will raise money for local charitable organizations.

Friday’s boat show hours are noon to 8:00 p.m. There will be food, including a “can’t miss” old-fashioned shore lunch fish fry starting at 3 p.m., beverages, merchandise and clothing available for purchase. Crowd favorite singer/songwriter Melissa Childers will play from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Captains of the boats will participate in a boat parade at 7:45 p.m. Friday, during the Min-Aqua Bats water ski show’s intermission. The ski show is held at the Aqua Bowl just 2 blocks away on the Island of Minocqua.

Saturday’s boat show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The musical lineup includes country cowgirl, Bree Morgan, from 12 - 3 p.m. and Bootjack Road rocking their country tunes from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the show. Torpy Park is located near downtown Minocqua at 806 US Hwy 51. Parking, playground equipment and restrooms are available. For more information, contact Marc Toigo at 715-892-4873 or MinocquaMarc@Duck.com

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