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Boats take center stage on Saturday

Boats vary, but all come with a history and memories

Elizabeth Hock | 721-4675 (ext. 407)

Friday, September 13, 2013

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2013 is the year of the snake. At Smith Mountain Lake, Saturday will be the day of the boat, or rather, boats. And they will be celebrated at festivals at two different locations.

At Mariners Landing Resort and Conference Center in Huddleston, the Smith Mountain Lake Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boats Society will hold its annual Antique Boat Show and Festival. Up river at R8, it will be dragon boats racing for charity.

Visitors to the antique boat show, which starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m., will get a close-up look at a small fleet of old boats, many of them restored, and on-water boat demonstrations.

On shore, there will be displays of early boating and nautical artifacts, food, craft and collectibles vendors and antique cars. The show again will feature a Youth Judging Event for children.

Admission is free, and proceeds will go to charities around Smith Mountain Lake.

The Presbyterian Community Center in Roanoke is the nonprofit that will benefit most from the Smith Mountain Lake Dragon Boat Race and Festival. But this year, it’s not the only one. Visitors are asked to bring personal hygiene and cleaning products to be donated to Lake Christian Ministries.

In its second year, the festival will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Parkway Marina in Huddleston. Pearl Fu, founder and director of Local Colors in Roanoke, will be the mistress of ceremonies.

In addition to boat racing, there will be rickshaw rides, vendors, bands, plenty of food and free admission.

For more information on the antique boat show, call 297-9202 or visit www.woodenboats.net.

For more information on the dragon race and festival, visit smldragonboatrace.com or www.pccse.org.

Saturday, September 14, 2013