Plan now to join us in Sturgeon Bay next summer.

Special Invitation to all Thompson Boat Owners!

August 5th and 6th, 2023

Make your hotel/resort reservations now so you won’t be left out.

For further information contact Paige Funkhouser, Community Engagement Manager for the Door County Maritime Museum at pfunkhouser@dcmm.org

Held each year during Maritime Week, Sturgeon Bay’s salute to the U.S. Coast Guard; the Door County Classic and Wooden Boat Show is an event you won’t want to miss. It is a weekend full of family fun.

Saturday, festival visitors walk the grounds viewing terrific classic and wooden boats, talking to their owners and builders. This year, we’re featuring Thompson Boats and all of the Thompson Boat family tree. It’s a special year. Come see them while also visiting a variety of merchants and eating the best locally-caught Whitefish sandwiches in Wisconsin.  Visitors can browse our annual Boathouse Sale which features nautical treasures for your home or boat and supports the Museum’s mission.  There are plenty of activities for kids, too.  They can have fun with crafts, games, and boatbuilding. Best of all, kids and parents alike can embark on short but free classic boat rides.   

Everyone can visit the Door County Maritime Museum‘s terrific exhibits, including the tug, John Purves. (admission fee)  A real treat is visiting the Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower with its new exhibits and observation deck. At 2pm, hear about the history of Thompson Boats from an expert. Andreas Jordahl Rhude, founder and President of the Thompson Antique and Classic Bait Rally, Inc, will present a fascinating look at the marque that you’ll certainly enjoy. The boats were built in Pestigo, right across the bay. Make sure to be on hand at 4pm when the Peninsula Symphonic Band performs A Salute to the Coast Guard on the Promenade. Enjoy a program of patriotic and inspiring music played by our fine community band.

Saturday evening offers even more. At 6:30 watch a Sunset Cruise and Classic Boat Parade through Sturgeon Bay’s inner harbor. After that you can enjoy all that downtown Sturgeon Bay has to offer. It’s a terrific end to the day.

Sunday brings the wild conclusion of the Sikaflex Boatbuilding Challenge.  After building their plywood boats on Saturday (at the museum), these very brave souls will race them out on the water.  Who will finish?  Who will sink? Come cheer them on. Build your enthusiasm for the races by stopping by the annual Bloodies, Brews and Bacon Social at Sonny’s Pizzeria next to the Museum. From 10am until 1pm, you can enjoy sampling some terrific beverages, food, and live music. Tickets are available at www.sturgeonbay.net or with your boat registration.

This is a wonderful way to celebrate Maritime Week in Door County and beautiful Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

For classic boaters looking for more, don’t forget our annual pre-event on Friday.  The popular Bay to Lake Lighthouse Cruise returns for registered skippers and crews. After the 10 mile journey, registered boaters will gather at the museum to enjoy our annual Docktails and Delights, a pizza/cocktail party.  To join, register at the Prime Level prior to August 1st.

 

For information about Sturgeon Bay’s annual salute to the US Coast Guard, click: Maritime Week

Take a look at the Show’s grounds with this live webcam.

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Click here for Directions to the Museum and Launch Site at Sawyer Park