Antique/Classic Boat Show
The 36 annual Antique and Classic Boat Show will be held on Saturday, June 25, commencing at 9 a.m. at the docks of the Olde Harbor Inn and Hook Line and Drinkers in Coventry Township. Both are located on Portage Lakes Drive and the waterfront of West Reservoir.
Old restored wooden Chris Crafts, Thompsons and Lymans among other wooden brands, including classics, will be on display. In past years the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and West Virginia and have been represented in the show. There have been as many as 75 old boats on display. None less is expected this year.
In the name of community support, the Olde Harbor Inn and Hook Line and Drinkers have generously donated their docks for the day so this annual show can be presented for the public's viewing. Both establishments will have brunch and beverages available.
By mid afternoon the winning boats will have been chosen including the People's Choice in which the public votes on the one they favor. That evening an awards banquet for the participants and their families is held at the Turkeyfoot Island Club where the winners are honored. Don't miss the complete list of winners which will be published right here in a future Outtakes Around The Lakes column.
If you arrive by boat, you may encounter a problem finding dock space near the two waterfront restaurants. However, by automobile, parking will be available at both waterfront establishments.
Light Up The Lakes Night Time Boat Parade
In 2009, change came to the Portage Lakes July Fourth activities. That is, change for the better. Brooks Ames introduced the night time lighted boat parade and it instantly became a hit. The next year more boats were entered and even though rain tried dampening boaters' spirits, more than half the boats finished.
In an e-mail, Ames wrote, the LIGHT UP THE LAKES is an evening boat parade that is put on by the PLFA (Portage Lakes Fireworks Association). Folks from all over decorate their boats with lights, music, props and anything else." Among last year's entries were a movie screen, fog machine, black lights and disco balls.
Ames added, "This year's event is on Saturday, July 2. We try to start having boats lined up about 9/9:30 by Howie's and the parade officially starts at 10 p.m. There are cash prizes of $500, $250, and $100 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Roger Griffin and his pirates won first last year. His boat had an octopus attacking his pontoon. It was so amazing, pictures do not do it justice!"
Read more at http://www.thesuburbanite.com/opinions/columnists/x1425874048/Outtakes-Around-the-Lakes-Boat-Show-and-Light-Up-The-Lakes-Night-Parade
