Boat-building is card work in Toledo
It will be all about boats in Toledo this weekend at the Wooden Boat Show and Containerboard Boat Contest this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and 18.
The 19th annual Port of Toledo Wooden Boat Show is a family friendly two-day event celebrating Toledo’s maritime heritage. A variety of vessels will be on display including classic vessels, unique owner-built boats and the Port’s trio of Teak Lady sailboats. This year’s show features steamboats from the Northwest Steam Society.
Visitors can admire the craftsmanship of the wooden boats, meet exhibitors and observe boat building in action.
Other activities at the festival include family boat building, kids toy boat building, poker paddle, boat rides, kids’ activities, food and vendors booths and informational and historical exhibits.
The festival will also features live music at Waterfront Park, with local musicians performing throughout the weekend.
The Georgia Pacific Containerboard Boat Races are on Saturday at 1 pm. Participants received a containerboard starter kit to create a vessel capable of traveling 200 yards before falling apart. For the full-scale regatta style race, each boat will travel approximately 100 yards to a buoy, make a turn around the buoy and race for the finish line.
The race has become a highlight of the Wooden Boat Show, attracting participants of all ages and backgrounds. From seasoned boat builders to first-time enthusiasts, the event is filled with fun and a competitive spirit. Participants were encouraged to let their creativity run wild while adhering to the basic rules of the contest when creating their race entries.
Boats will be available to check out before the races while judging is happening.
Prizes will be awarded for various categories, including Most Creative Design, Fastest Boat and Most Spectacular Sinking. Spectators are welcome to cheer on their favorites and witness firsthand the seaworthiness of these boats.
The boat show runs from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Both the show and the races will happen at the Port’s Marina and Waterfront Park, located at 127 NW A Street in Toledo. For more information, go to portoftoledo.org.