20th Annual Lakeside Wooden Boat Show

Fun for the whole family, celebrate the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional wooden boat building and the artist expression of plein air painting at one of Lakeside’s most unique weekends of the summer from July 14-16. 

After a weekend of plein air painting, Lakeside’s waterfront transforms into an outdoor showroom of classic wooden boats for the 20th Annual Lakeside Wooden Boat Show from 12-4 p.m. Sunday, July 16 

As one of Lake Erie’s largest wooden boat exhibits, more than 60 wooden cruisers will line the dock and lawn of Hotel Lakeside for an up-close and personal view of classic boats.

Learn about the world of wooden boatbuilding from boat owners, restoration experts and boat enthusiasts alike. Hear the unique stories behind the making of each vessel and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for boatbuilding and the many hours of preservation it takes to keep them afloat and looking like new.

For this year’s milestone Lakeside Wooden Boat Show, the Sandusky Maritime Museum will be bringing its Mini Maritime Museum to Lakeside Friday, July 14-Sunday, July 16.

This pop-up exhibit shares the maritime heritage of our area, including the Golden Age of Steamboats, Johnson’s Island, Commercial Shipping, Engines & Motors, Local Boatbuilding, Lyman Ideal and more. Guests will also be able to compete in a giant-sized Battleship Lake Erie game, and kids can work on benches with boat model kits to take home.

The exhibit will be displayed under the tent on the Hotel Lakeside lawn from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. Sunday during the Lakeside Wooden Boat Show. 

In addition to the wooden boat and maritime museum activities, several plein air events will take place on Sunday. Watch as painters add finishing touches to their masterpieces at the Plein Air Paintout held along the shoreline and in Bettinger Park until 12 p.m. 

Paintings that were completed by the artists throughout the weekend will be available for purchase during the Wet Paint Sale, held at 1:30-3:30 p.m. south of the Pavilion. Purchases can be made with cash, check or credit card. Kids’ painting will also be available by donation from 1-3 p.m. south of the Pavilion.

Back by popular demand, Wally & The Beavs will play live music, including cover songs by Chicago, Journey, Grand Funk Railroad, Elton John, The Blues Brothers and The Beatles from 12-4 p.m. at the Pavilion Jennings East Deck. 

For lunch, dine at one of Lakeside’s many restaurants or enjoy a variety of grilled options at the Wooden Boat Show Cookout from 12-2 p.m.

Register a Wooden Boat
The show is coordinated by the Lakeside Wooden Boat Society. To register a wooden boat for free, contact coordinator Mame Drackett at mame@drackett.cc or 239-776-6205. 

Artist Registration
Registration for the 2023 Plein Air Art Festival is now closed. To be considered for future events, please email programming@lakesideohio.com to be added to a list of potential artists.