There's A Wooden Boat Festival In South Carolina And It's Just As Wacky And Wonderful As It Sounds
By AnneMarie|Published September 11, 2023
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AnneMarie
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South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
Did you know we have some really interesting, unique festivals in South Carolina? Sure, all the food celebrations, art events, and other types of festivals are wonderful. But experiencing something different, and even perhaps a little (or a lot) wacky, just makes life better and more fun. The Grape Stomping Festival, for example – I mean, this is your chance to do much more than play with your food that you always wanted to do as a child! And now, let’s take a look at another festival, the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, that just might also transport you back into your childhood. And if not, you’re still sure to have a great time.
This year’s festival is scheduled for October 21 and 22, 2023.
The Georgetown Wooden Boat Show was birthed out of a previous festival known as Bayfest, which celebrated the maritime heritage of Georgetown County. When the person heading up the event resigned, some of the local business people decided to focus on the wooden boat portion of the event, with the goal of improving business in the city's downtown area.
In 1993, the event featured 35 exhibitors, which was double the total from the previous Bayfest, and from then on, it was known as the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show.
This Georgetown festival has become the city's premier event through committed volunteer management and the support of local businesses, government, and the community. Many Front Street merchants experience their top sales day for the year on the day of the boat show.
The Wooden Boat Challenge winner in 2019 was a team of two who had been working together for a couple of years in residential carpentry. They also had set an impressive world record-building time of one hour, 24 minutes, and 29 seconds in a national competition the prior year!
The artist is available to sign posters during the show and the original art masterpiece is auctioned, with proceeds benefitting Georgetown's Maritime Museum.
Also included in the auction are beautiful pieces by local artists. This is such a neat way for artists' work to be discovered while supporting the museum.
Even if you don't participate in any of the competitions, you'll enjoy looking at all of the incredible works of art on display in the wooden boat exhibit, which includes over 100 classic wooden boats on display in the water and on Front Street.
Vessels range in size from kayaks to large yachts with 12 exhibit categories: Row, Canoe, Kayak, Surf/Paddle Boards, Sail, Classic Sail, Inboard Power, Classic Inboard, Outboard Power, Classic Outboard, Owner Designed & Built, and Century Class. There are also categories for model boats and cradle boats.
You get to meet and talk to the wooden boat craftsmen, manufacturers, and owners. Maritime arts, crafts, and models will also be on display. Awards will be presented to the winners in each of the exhibit categories and to the People’s Choice winner, and special awards will also be presented.
Visit the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show website for additional information, including event dates and to register as a boat exhibitor or a team for the competition. Follow the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show Facebook page for updates and information on previous year’s featured artists, winners, and more. Book a cute Georgetown villa less than a mile from the historic district for the event!
Do you know anyone who’d enjoy this show or the boat-building competition?
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