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Antique and Classic Boat Festival seminars at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum announced

The 30th annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival, taking place June 16-18 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., is offering a series of maritime and restoration seminars beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16 and continuing through Saturday, June 17. Offered free with two-day festival admission, the seminars take place in CBMM’s waterfront Van Lennep Auditorium, with limited seating and no registration needed.

Friday’s seminars begin at 2:00 p.m. with CBMM Chief Curator Pete Lesher presenting “Chesapeake Log Canoes – Preserving Historic Boats, Preserving Traditions,” followed by Antique & Classic Boat Society Chesapeake Bay Chapter Past-President Jeff Beard with an “Aesthetic Guide to Collectible Cabin Cruisers, 1940-1970” beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Saturday’s seminars feature informative presentations on marine topics, headlined by the Honorable John C. North II’s and maritime artist Marc Castelli’s “Chesapeake Log Canoes” presentation beginning at 1:00 p.m. In honor of the festival’s 30th anniversary, these celebrated sailing log canoes are featured for this year’s show, with a selection seen on land and in the water throughout the three-day event.

Other Saturday seminars include “Propeller Technology from Cup to Pitch,” beginning at 10:00 a.m. and led by VT Design Principal Gary Van Tassel. At 11:00 a.m., Moores Marine President Jim Moores will lead a conversation around “JFK’s Honey Fitz & Hemingway’s Pilar—Master Restorations by Moores Marine,” followed with ACBS Smith Mountain Lake Chapter’s Eric Zelman with a “Stitch in Time: Antique Boat Upholstery” beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, this Father’s Day weekend event brings a sense of nostalgia to the Miles River and CBMM’s docks and campus, drawing some of the area’s finest classic boats, nautical and maritime treasures, entertainment, food, and libations to this waterfront festival.

The show attracts the finest runabouts to yachts, including race boats, work boats, launches, hydroplanes, and utilities. Chris-Craft, Trumpy, Gar Wood, Donzi, and Lyman are among some of the boats represented.

One of the East Coast’s largest gathering of antique and classic boats, the festival’s signature Arts at Navy Point pavilion brings more than 70 juried fine artists, craftspeople, and vendors offering nautical and maritime-themed items for boat and home.

Building demonstrations, family activities, and a nautical flea market take place throughout the weekend, with a selection of regional and grilled foods, music, and a waterside bar and deck for libations and other drinks available.

Children’s activities include boatbuilding craft projects, and the Hagerty Insurance Marine Youth Judging program, where youth learn about the award-winning qualities of preserved and restored classic boats. Along the Fogg’s Landing side of CBMM’s campus, the festival’s Field of Dreams features an array of restorable classic boats and motors, along with other items in a nautical flea market sale.

Festival hours are Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Father’s Day, Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The festival includes two-day admission to all of CBMM’s special and permanent exhibitions, including the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, where guests can climb to the top for views of the Miles River and St. Michaels harbor. The event is $5 for CBMM adult members, or $18 for adults; $15 for seniors and students with ID; and $6 for children 6-17.

Scenic river cruises aboard CBMM’s 1920 buyboat Winnie Estelle will be offered throughout the festival, with boat rides and food an additional cost. For safety reasons, non-service dogs are prohibited at CBMM festivals. Festival parking for all three days and a Saturday shuttle service are free, with CBMM a short walk to specialty shops, restaurants, inns, bed & breakfasts, and other attractions in St. Michaels’ historic district. For more information, visit bit.ly/boatfestival17 or call 410-745-2916.

Antique & Classic Boat Festival at CBMM in St. Michaels, Md