St. Michaels boat festival spotlights Midwest classics and coastal arts

By AI, Created 10:16 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The 38th Antique & Classic Boat Festival and Coastal Arts Fair returns to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland, June 19-21, with more than 100 vintage boats, art vendors, history talks and family activities. The show gives boat lovers and casual visitors a rare chance to see restored classics, take free rides and explore one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest wooden-boat gatherings.

Why it matters: - The festival brings together antique-boat preservation, maritime history and coastal art in one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest classic boat shows. - The event gives visitors direct access to rare wooden boats, restoration ideas and buyers and sellers in the vintage-boat market. - The show also supports regional artisans, historians and boat owners who want to keep classic boats in use.

What happened: - The 38th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Festival and Coastal Arts Fair is set for June 19-21 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland. - The event is sponsored by the Antique & Classic Boat Society Chesapeake Bay Chapter. - This year’s theme is “Boats Built in Michigan & the Midwest.” - More than 100 rare vintage boats will be on display. - The lineup includes Chris-Craft, Lyman, Century, Larson, Gar Wood and Matthews boats. - The festival runs on Father’s Day weekend. - The event takes place on CBMM’s 18-acre campus. - Visitors can see boats on land and in the water. - Attendees can talk with boat captains during the show. - The Coastal Arts Fair will feature juried maritime art and handmade wares. - A Field of Dreams area will feature vintage boats for sale. - Boat rides on vintage boats will be free Saturday and Sunday from 1-3 p.m. - A nautical flea market, children’s activities and food trucks are also part of the weekend.

The details: - Boating History Talks will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. - Friday topics include “Honey, I’ve Got This,” a two-hour confidence-building seminar for women; “Chris-Craft Holiday”; “Chris-Craft Sea Skiffs and Cavaliers – Maryland’s contributions to Algonac”; and “Larson Boats – Inspired by aviator Charles Lindbergh.” - Saturday topics include “Thompson Sea Lancer,” “From Ice Cream to Horsepower,” “Ohio’s Matthews,” “Why Michigan- and Virginia-Built Gar Wood Boats Are So Special” and “Restoring Chris-Craft Special Runabouts.” - Boat owners can register vessels in restoration classes including historic, antique, classic, late classic and contemporary wooden boats. - Historic boats must be built up to 1918. - Antique boats must be built from 1919 to 1942. - Classic boats must be built from 1943 to 1975. - Late classic boats must be built from 1976 to 1997. - Contemporary entries include any wooden boat. - Boat registration is limited and closes May 15 at participant registration. - Juried artists and craftsmen can reserve a 10x10 vendor space by May 15 at vendor registration. - Vendor space costs $100-$125 for the three-day event. - Businesses can advertise in the program journal through the online sponsorship and advertising form at advertising registration. - Tickets are available at CBMM. - CBMM is located at 213 N. Talbot St. in St. Michaels. - Festival questions can go to chesapeakebayacbs@gmail.com or Kathy Jones at (302) 803-9159.

Between the lines: - The theme points to a regional history story, not just a boat show, with attention on Midwest manufacturers and their influence on classic wooden boating. - The mix of boats for sale, restoration classes and history talks suggests the festival is designed to serve collectors, hobbyists and first-time visitors at the same time. - ACBS-Chesapeake Bay is one of 57 U.S. and Canadian chapters of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. - The chapter has more than 200 members from more than six states. - The chapter hosts member activities and the annual June festival to promote preservation and knowledge-sharing around antique and classic boats.

What’s next: - Boat owners, vendors and advertisers should complete registrations before the May 15 deadlines. - Festival organizers will continue building the weekend schedule through ticket sales, boat sign-ups and vendor participation. - Visitors can buy tickets now and plan for the June 19-21 event in St. Michaels.

The bottom line: - The festival is a three-day showcase for vintage boats, maritime art and restoration culture, with strong emphasis on Midwest-built classics and hands-on public access.