New Orleans Boat Show, March 7-9 Held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Show features boats and exhibitors of marine products and services. $8 admission. Under 12 free. Hours to be announced. www.boatshowneworleans.com 29th Annual Palm Beach Boat Show, March 20-23 Flagler Drive on the water in downtown West Palm Beach. Thurs. 12-7, Fri. and Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-6. $18, $16 online. Children 6-15 $8. Children under 6 free. (800) 940-7642. www.showmanagement.com. 6th Annual Southwest International In-Water Boat Show, Houston, TX, March 27-30 One of the largest in-water boat shows along the Gulf Coast and largest in Texas. A large selection of sail and powerboats with a Discover Sailing program. South Shore Harbour Marina, Houston. Thursday, 12-7; Friday 12-7; Saturday 10-7; Sunday, 10-6. www.southwestinternationalboatshow.com. Gulf Coast Yacht & Boat Super Show, Gulfport, MS, April 3-6 The Gulfcoast Yacht and Boat Show is the largest Boat Show on the Gulf Coast. Previously held in Orange Beach, AL, the show has been moved to the brand-new $40 million Jones Park and Gulfport Small Craft Harbor in Gulfport, MS. Boats up to 60 feet, fishing boats, ski boats, offshore boats, runabouts, personal watercraft and others. Sailboat Row will have over 40 boats, both new and brokered, along with vendors and suppliers of sailing gear. Another 150 boats are on land, along with demonstrations, seminars daily on cruising the Southeast, Florida, the Keys and the Great Loop. $10 admission ($9 online), children under 12 free. VIP Thursday 2-7 ($25 admission). Friday 10-7 pm. Sunday 10-5. Free parking. www.gulfcoastyachtandboatshow.com. 6th Annual Oriental In-Water Boat Show & Nautical Flea Market, Oriental, NC, April 11-13 New and used watercraft: Sail and power, fishing and cruising, from kayaks to yachts, plus new marine products and services, and great food. There will be seminars held daily (12 total) on various subjects, including weather, fishing, marine electronics, boat restoration—and more. This year, expected are 80 exhibitors and 100 boats. A nautical flea market will again be featured. A free water taxi will take visitors from Oriental’s docks to the show location. Pecan Grove Marina, 685 Oriental Road, Oriental, NC. Admission $5 each day, with children 12 and under free, and acres of free parking. Hours: Friday, noon-6; Saturday, 10-6; Sunday 11-3. For information, call (252) 2490228. www.orientalboatshow.com. Charleston In-Water Boat Show, Charleston, SC, April 25-27 This show will be held at Brittlebank Park, 17 Lockwood Blvd. Friday noon-7pm. Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 5 pm. $10, ages 4-12 $5. Under age free. For more information, go to www.charlestonboatshow.com. 18th Southeast US Boat Show, Jacksonville, FL, April 11-13 This show includes seminars, live music, powerboats, kayaks, sailboats, and hundreds of vendors selling gear and 16
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accessories for both power and sail. The show is also as much a festival as it is a boat show with live music, good food, and a happy hour at the famous marina Tiki bar. A bikini contest is held at the bar on Saturday at 2 p.m. The show is held across from Everbank Stadium at the Metro Park and Marina, 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. The stadium parking lot is available for show visitors. The show can also be reached via water shuttle from the Jacksonville Landing. Dockage is available on a first-come, firstserve basis for those who come by boat. Some consider this the best boat show venue in Florida. There will be in-water sail and powerboats, and several hundred boats on land spread across the seven acres of the waterfront show. Hours are 10-8, Friday and Saturday, and 10-6 on Sunday. $10 entry and children 16 and under free. 32nd Annual Suncoast Boat Show, Sarasota, FL, April 25-27 This show features both in-water and on-land boats, as well as vendors selling gear and other related boating accessories. It is held at Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota. The show is open 10-7 Friday and Saturday, and 10-5 on Sunday. For more information, call (954) 764-7642, or got to www.ShowManagement.com.
SEAFOOD FESTIVALS & FLEA MARKETS Island Nautical (formerly JSI) 21st Annual Nautical Flea Market, St. Petersburg, March 8 Spaces available for sellers. Shop for bargains, sell your old
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