Boating and sailing enthusiasts will head to Essex from Friday to Sunday, May 5 through 7, for the Connecticut Spring Boat Show at Brewer Essex Island Marina (11 Ferry Street). Approximately 3,000 people are expected to attend over the weekend that is also the Essex Board of Trade’s Weekend Stroll.

“We’re always excited when visitors come to town, people come, and then tend to come back,” said Essex Board of President Trade Amy Cameron. “The Board of Trade special events committee works in connection with our members. With potentially 3,000 people coming into town for an event, who will have to drive down Main Street, we wanted to host an event around that event.”

Blue and white nautical balloons will mark the doors and storefronts of participating merchants, who will offer a variety of specials from a free glass of wine to a percentage off of merchandise.

“When people come for the show, we want them to feel welcomed by the town,” said Cameron. “We want them to experience the three villages. If this is successful, we’ll build on this.”

At the boat show, attendees will have the opportunity to view, try, and buy boats and watercraft of all types and sizes from vendors across the spectrum of the boating industry. There will also be a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live music on May 5 at Marley’s Café at the Marina, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the charity Sails Up 4 Cancer.

“Essex has an incredible boating history, many marinas, many brokers—the town has been a draw for boater as long as I can remember. It is a natural choice for an event and the town is a great stopping place,” said Tom Pilkington of Prestige Yacht Sales, one of the dealers exhibiting at the show. “One thing that I think is going to make a difference for local people this year is that we’re open late on Friday evening, so people can come after work. There’s really something to see for everyone.

“We’ve been in Essex for 10 years now; it has a very vibrant sailing community,” Pilkington continued. “The show has gotten much bigger over the years.”

Bob Jarrett, director of sales and marketing at Essex Boatworks, one of the show’s sponsors, has watched the annual exhibition the first week of May grow and change since 1995.

“We started inviting other brokers to exhibit for the first time in 2006,” said Jarrett. “It’s now grown so much that we had to move to a larger space. It attracts boaters and visitors who like to come and feel that nautical influence and see a natural waterfront, with no industrial development.

“Essex is such a unique attraction, a New England town located in a special way on the river mouth—it’s a sneaky little village, steeped in tradition, and has been a hub of shipbuilding and marine commerce for a long time,” continued Jarrett. “Springtime is when boaters are passionate, and get boat fever. It’s a great way to spend the weekend.”

Admission to the Connecticut Spring Boat Show is free, as is parking. The show is open from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 5, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 6 and 7. For more information, visit www.ctspringboatshow.com. For more information on the Weekend Stroll, head over to the Essex Board of Trade Facebook page, where a full list of participating merchants and restaurants will be posted ahead of the event.