The Southern New England Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS) and the Connecticut River Museum (CRM) are hosting the 34th annual “Vintage Treasures” Antique and Classic Boat Show at the CRM on Saturday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“We’ve tried other venues but as we’ve grown we feel the CRM is the right place for us to be because it allows our boats to be on water and on display,” said President of the New England Chapter of ACBS Lynn McFarlin. “Plus, we get the public that comes in and out of Essex.”

The show is free, with vendors selling breakfast and lunch to hungry visitors. This year the Essex Auto Club will join the event with a display of classic cars. McFarlin said there will be 12 classic cars brought by CRM’s Executive Director Chris Dobbs and two members of the New England Chapter will be bringing classic boats pulled by classic cars.

Mystic Seaport Ship Modelers (MSSM) will also be under the tent on Saturday, with “rather large replicas of boats,” said McFarlin. “They’re beautiful and there are several of them that come and bring a variety of models that they’ve been working on.”

McFarlin said the group is “starting to work on the younger generation” so they will “have two young ladies there who have also started building models with this group.”

For the Love of Boats

The ACBS has chapters located all over the country, promoting and celebrating a passion for old wooden boats. The group recognizes four categories of boats: historic, built up to and including 1918; antique, built between 1919 and 1942; classic, built between 1943 and 1975; and late classic, built between 1976 and the year 25 years prior to the current calendar year.

“This year the big green pizza truck will be our dinner on Friday night,” said McFarlin. On Saturday evening, there is a social event for club members featuring cocktails, dinner, and an awards ceremony.

“On Sunday, for those who want to take a ride on the Connecticut River, there is a gentleman who takes people on a short ride,” said McFarlin.

Boats entered into competition are judged by the Antique Classic Boat Standards, with judging to start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and winners announced at the end of the day. The prize is a trophy from headquarters that, “actually looks like a rudder, a transom off the back of a boat, with the name of the award,” said McFarlin.

There are first place prizes awarded for specific classes and types including the President’s Cup, People’s Choice, Best Restored, and many others.

Attendance at the show varies each year depending on the weather, but McFarlin said it’s typical to see 2,000 to 3,000 people walking around to view the 20 to 45 boats on display.

“It’s a great day, we love sharing it with the Museum,” said McFarlin. “It pretty much runs on its own now. It’s always been a lot of fun and it’s a great venue.”

For more information on the Vintage Treasures Antique and Classic Boat Show, visit ctrivermuseum.org.