article & photographs by Marty Loken

Next summer and fall will be an exciting time for boaters in the Pacific Northwest – and also for ACBS members from other regions who would like to experience the Northwest’s beautiful waterways and warm hospitality. Two major events are scheduled, which should draw ACBS members from all corners of North America – and even some from abroad:

First, after a very invigorating and successful “test run” this past summer, (witness the photos accompanying this article) four Northwest chapters of ACBS will again co-sponsor The Great Northwest Classics Tour, a four-boatshow July “circuit” that begins in Portland, Oregon, continues to Lake Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, moves the following weekend to Kelowna, British Columbia, and finishes with a classic boat show on Lake Washington, near Seattle. Members from other chapters are warmly invited to attend one, two, three or all four Northwest shows, held on successive weekends in July. (See details below.)

Then, next September 19-22, ACBS will hold its 2002 International Annual Meeting – and First International Classic Boat Show – on the shores of beautiful Lake Coeur d’ Alene, in northern Idaho, at The Coeur d’ Alene Resort. (By combining a major boat show with the Annual Meeting, we are certain to have more ACBS members in attendance than at any previous annual get-together.)

Already, ACBS members from across Canada and the U.S. have signed up to bring boats to the First International Classic Boat Show. All members are encouraged to make reservations early, taking advantage of special rates at the resort (see details in box below) while rooms are available.

THE GREAT NORTHWEST CLASSICS TOUR – ACBS members are invited to participate in any or all four boat shows in Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia and Washington State, held on four successive weekends of July, 2002. In between each of the shows, members will have an opportunity (optionally) to participate in odyssey cruises on some of the Northwest’s most beautiful lakes and rivers.
 

The 2002 shows and their dates are:

• Columbia-Willamette Chapter’s Antique & Classic Boat Show, to be held July 6 on the Columbia River in Portland (about 50 boats were registered last summer);
• Inland Empire Chapter’s Wooden Boat Festival, scheduled for July 12-14 on Lake Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho (approximately 80 boats);
• Okanagan Chapter’s Annual Boat Show, to be held July 19-21 at the Hotel Eldorado, on Lake Okanagan (about 50 boats); and
• Pacific Northwest Chapter’s Antique & Classic Boat Show, scheduled for July 26-28 at Coulon Memorial Park, on Lake Washington near Seattle (roughly 60 boats participated last summer).

ACBS members who attend all four events will receive Gold awards to display dash plaques from each event. Those who attend three of the shows will be given Silver plaques and members who register for two of the four events will receive Bronze awards.

Creation of The Great Northwest Classics Tour helped boost attendance at all four of last summer’s shows, and it’s expected that next summer’s events will be even bigger. Dozens of ACBS members participated in at least three of the shows, and 16 people made all four events – certainly a first in the Northwest.

If you would like to receive background information or registration forms for any or all of the Northwest shows, please contact Marty Loken at Box 1248, Langley, WA 98260; phone (360) 321-6404, or e-mail: MLoken@Whidbey.com.