Head for Vermont's Small Watercraft Festival, this weekend Aug. 8 and Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Lake Champlain.The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) is a non-profit museum located in Vergennes, Vermont, with a mission to study, preserve and share the rich history and archaeology of Lake Champlain, which forms a portion of the boundary between New York state and Vermont.
Saturday (only) meet life-sized puppets of Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain at 11 a.m. These two life-sized puppets (with Carol Margolis of the Albany Heritage Area and Rebecca Goldberg of Fletcher Free Library) will share stories of their historic travels.
At noon, meet the authors of A Kayakers Guide to Lake Champlain - Cathy Frank and Margy Holden, who paddled the entire perimeter of Lake Champlain.
The "Kids Duct Tape Regatta" will feature launches of cardboard boats at 10 a.m.
Shipwreck tours cost $22 ($18 for children). Seating is limited, so advance registration is recommended; call (802) 475-2022.
A water taxi will shuttle morning and afternoon to link up events in New York with Vermont.
Sunday is the Lake Champlain Challenge Race, Participants bring a non-motorized boat, kayak, or canoe to row or paddle in this three-mile race. For details contact Nick Patch nickp@lcmm.org. Registration at 10 a.m.; race begins at 11 a.m.
Exhibitors include:
Middlepath Boats, Edinburg , PA
Edey and Duff, Mattapoisett, MA
The Little Boat Shop, Lincolnville Center, ME
Vermont Electric Boat Works, Alburgh, VT
Little Creek Stip Canoes & Kayaks, Greensboro Bend, VT
Skywoods Canoe
Classic Boatworks, Lake Placid, NY
Berkshire Boat Buildling School
Bob Dollar, Rigger & Ropework
Umiak Canoe Imports
Ongoing activities include tours of the historic tugboat Urger at the Basin Harbor Club; traditional and innovative watercraft; demonstrations of kayaking skills, and environmental stewardship presentation by Lake Champlain Basin Program. And much more. See http://www.lcmm.org/museum_info/special.htm for more details and event listings.
