2014 Festival
August 23-24, Brewer Hawthorne Cove Marina, Salem, MA
The flash of polished bronze and gleam of varnished wood across the water will be the order of the day as elegant antique and classic yachts sail into the host city of Salem, Massachusetts for the 32nd Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival August 23-24. Mostly wood, primarily private yachts and aesthetically stunning, the vessels will be on display to the public over the weekend at Brewer Hawthorne Cove Marina. A hallmark of the Festival is the great variety of craft exhibited. “Where else,” says Pat Wells, Coordinator, “can one see 1900s-60s motor yachts, mahogany speedboats, sloops, yawls, schooners and a 19th century gold-leaf canoe! Although many of these craft are museum quality, they are real boats in the water and in use by their owners today.”
To the delight of the public, some skippers sport vintage garb; others display period décor or play a few tunes. Table settings and captivating floral arrangements might be found aboard a boat. Welcome mats are in evidence and children, pets and parrots have been known to enliven the scene. Many hospitable owners invite the public aboard for a personal tour, regaling visitors with tales of their boat’s history, memorable voyages and the joys and woes of restoring their classic.
A crafts fair, artists, old-time band music, children’s activities, the Blessing of the Fleet and boat parade round out this popular event.
Download a PDF copy of our 2014 Program or go to Plan Your Visit to see the 2014 Program online.
