ALL HANDS REPORT TO CLASSIC & VINTAGE BOAT SHOW

Skippers voyage from far seas to the White Bear Lake Classic & Vintage Boat Show. The 16th annual show is Saturday, June 24 on the shores of Commercial Bay. There are as many as 50 classic and vintage boats each year including on-land boats, outboard motor displays, model boat displays and the popular nautical boat market with collections of boat parts and boating memorabilia that is available to purchase.

This year’s theme is “Let’s go fishing” featuring a live kids’ fishing event as part of Manitou Days fishing contest. Have a question about catching more fish? This year’s boat show landed "Ask an expert fisherman" with Minnesota’s own Terry Tuma.

Trophies are awarded for peoples’ choice, favorite inboard, favorite outboard, favorite non-motor and kids’ choice awards.

It is free to enter a boat. Captains considering entry have until

Wednesday, June 14. For more information, visit presspubs.com/ site/forms/contest/boat_show/f15th_ annual_classic__vintage_boat_show/

Pat Oven, along with a dedicated group of volunteers, started and ran the show during its first 14 years. He passed away unexpectedly in 2020. Press Publications is hosting the show for the second time this year.

“Pat started the boat show, built it up and really did a great job,” publisher

Carter Johnson shares. “He had a boat named Baybe in the show and I watched him restore it throughout the years. In fact, he chauffeured my wife and I to our wedding reception on the lake in his boat.”

Pat's wife Susan said Pat started the boat show to commemorate the tradition of boating on White Bear Lake.

“Pat always thought that the boating history of White Bear Lake was under represented and should have been promoted more,” Susan said, “He wanted to have sailboats in the boat show to recognize and celebrate the history of sail-boating on White Bear Lake.”

Bear Boating will offer free boat rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Passengers will be loaded at the city dock on the north side of the VFW.

Rounding out the event for spectators will be multiple food options from Admiral D's, to Tally’s to an ice cream cart and a variety of vendors.

“With the history of boat builders in White Bear Lake and Pat Oven's legacy, it’s pretty meaningful to be part of the boat show again in 2023,” Johnson said.

The boat show is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult attendees are encouraged to vote for the peoples’ choice boat. Kids are encouraged to vote for kids’ choice boat. Winners will be featured in the White Bear Press. ◼