This roundup of upcoming shows and events includes news from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the North American In-Water Boat Show and the 28th annual Vero Beach Fall Boat Show.
As many as 500 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, as well as members of other countries' Coast Guard auxiliaries, are expected to converge Aug. 24-28 on Charlotte, N.C., when the organization hosts its national conference.
In addition to business meetings, the conference will feature workshops and training sessions, including paddle sport safety, aquatic nuisance species, navigation systems, vessel safety examination processes and boat operations training. The guest speaker Aug. 27 at the Commodore's Banquet will be Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, vice commandant of the Coast Guard.
"Each year, we try to hold our conference in a new, exciting venue and Charlotte offers a beautiful hotel in a downtown setting with so many unique attractions and excellent airline service," Ernie Davenport, the auxiliary's 2011 conference organizer, said in a statement. "The brand new NASCAR Hall of Fame is only three blocks from the conference hotel, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center is just a short drive away."
The Coast Guard Auxiliary's more than 30,000 members volunteer millions of hours of their time in support of the Coast Guard and recreational boating safety. Auxiliary members are on the way to providing nearly 3 million hours of volunteer support to the Coast Guard this year.
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The North American In-Water Boat Show returns Sept. 14-18 to Cedar Point, Ohio, and will feature new powerboats, sailboats, accessories and equipment alongside pre-owned products and educational displays.
"It's all about the location," show manager Ken Alvey said in a statement. "The show is big because it is in the heart of prime boating territory. This area has one of the highest densities of boats per acre of water in the entire Midwest and supports all sorts of on-the-water activities. Whether you like cruising, fishing, sailing or picnicking on a pontoon, we're going to have something for you. There will be a boat for every budget and every pastime."
Off the docks on Friday and Saturday, teen sailor Abby Sunderland, who last year tried to become the world's youngest solo circumnavigator, will sign copies of her book "Unsinkable" and discuss her two days lost at sea.
The WKFM wing-eating contest will be held at noon on Saturday. Local contestants will race to finish T.G.I. Friday's chicken wings to try to win four Cedar Point HalloWeekends passes and an overnight stay at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio.
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The 28th annual Vero Beach Fall Boat Show will be held Nov. 19-20 at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Fla.
Boat dealers and suppliers from the area will be displaying products that include stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, deck boats, pontoon boats and shallow-water skiffs, offshore fishing machines and cruisers, marine accessories and services and nautical goodies.
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