NC Cultural Resources Newsroom

BEAUFORT – The 34th Annual Wooden Boat Show will take place on Saturday, May 3 in downtown Beaufort.  Activities are scheduled throughout the week leading up to show day.  Enjoy activities and exhibits on display at the museum, the museum’s Watercraft Center and at the museum’s expansion site at Gallants Channel, with free parking available.  Outer Banks Ferry Service will provide free ferry rides and CCATS will provide free van transportation between the museum’s expansion site and downtown Beaufort.  Transportation will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is free and open to the public. 

Activities are scheduled throughout the week leading up to show day.  A number of small wooden boats will be on display on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Activities include live music by “Molasses Creek” and the “2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Show Band”, the Atlantic Veneer Beaufort National BoatBuilding Challenge, a nautical crafts fair, maritime skills demonstrations, Civil War Naval Re-enactors, a ship model exhibition, children’s model building classes, an antique car show, coast guard vessels, opportunities to go sailing, and much more.

The Atlantic Veneer Beaufort National BoatBuilding Challenge is a new addition to the show.  The contest consists of teams of two builders constructing a 12-foot skiff design, with a four-hour time limit, and is judged on time, quality of workmanship and an in-the-water rowing competition.  For more information, click here.

Beginning on Sunday, April 27, visitors can go sailing on Taylors Creek in some of the museum’s traditional watercraft.  (A $5 per person donation is suggested, which will go to the sailing program.)  Maritime demonstrations are conducted on various days during the week.  For a complete schedule go to www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.

This year’s special guest is Jim Moores, owner of Moores Marine.  Moores is the featured speaker at the boat show dinner on Saturday, May 3, and also serves on the panel of judges that selects the winners of Best-of-Show and the Row/Paddle, Sail, and Power categories.

Those who would like to receive an application to exhibit their boat or vendor space should contact the museum at (252) 728-7317 or email maritime@ncmail.net.  Applications are also available for download at www.ncmaritimemuseum.org.  The registration fee is $35 per applicant and includes registration of one boat/space, a reception ticket and dinner for one participant.  The same applicant may register additional boats for $5 each.  Vendor space is limited to maritime related arts, crafts, or commercial products.

The N.C. Maritime Museum, Dr. David Nateman, director, is located at 315 Front Street in Beaufort.  It is part of the Division of State History Museums in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, a state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture.  Museum hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.  Admission is free.