Once again benefitting Sails Up 4 Cancer, this unique show showcases boats, bands and businesses from across New England.
The 8th Connecticut Spring Boat Show will take place from Friday, April 26 through Sunday, April 28 at Safe Harbor Essex Island in Essex, CT. On the beautiful Connecticut River, this in-water boat show is the first of the season in New England. Visitors will enjoy seeing a wide range of new and pre-owned power and sail models ranging from 20 feet to larger than 65 feet from leading brands and dealers. In addition to boats on the dock, the show will have yacht brokers, gear, artists, accessories, and service companies exhibiting on the lawn. Five Connecticut bands will provide music throughout the weekend.
This year’s show seeks to raise $30,000.00 for Sails Up 4 Cancer (SU4C), a non-profit organization supporting cancer care, education, prevention and research in Southeast Connecticut. Last year, $18,000 was raised despite difficult weather. Sails Up 4 Cancer will benefit from 50% of ticket sales proceeds, and will be onsite with additional fundraising opportunities throughout the weekend.
“Because we are a spring show, we know that we have to be very flexible to the brokers’ needs, so we have boats being entered or sold right up to the final week,” says Ben Cesare of Cat’s Paw, LLC who owns and manages the show. “Similarly, for the Shoreside Exhibitors, the five bands, and the fishing and boating seminar presenters, we continue to make improvements to “weatherproof” the show. It’s New England, it’s April. We will definitely have weather and we will have temperatures ranging from 40 to 80 degrees, guaranteed!”
“As an Exhibitor, I could not ask for a better setting and venue than in beautiful, historic Essex. It is one of the quaintest towns in Connecticut, and the CT Spring Boat Show takes full advantage. The show is well run by a fantastic production team and many Sails Up 4 Cancer volunteers. I am proud to be taking part in it for a third year and cannot wait until the next show!”, says Steve Cote, Cote Customs, LLC (custom coastal-inspired pyrography artwork; pictured above).
Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina is located on a 13-acre private island, accessed by a complementary ferry service, and offers 125 slips accommodating vessels up to 200 feet. This resort marina is family-friendly and offers food, beverages and music throughout the weekend. The show will follow all state and local guidelines to ensure a safe experience when visiting the show, rain or shine.
“Another one of the things we can guarantee about this year’s CT Spring Boat Show is that there will be plenty of boats and more Exhibitors on the Island than last year,” said Cesare. “Boat inventories are back up and the word keeps spreading that we run a really fun weekend, enticing Exhibitors from all over New England to join in.”
The show is a production of WindCheck Magazine and hosted by Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina. Show sponsors include Essex Boat Works, The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Mohegan Digital, Maritime Insurance International, Surfridge Brewing Co., The Griswold Inn, The Essex Board of Trade, Risk Strategies/Gowrie Group, WindCheck, and the Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA).
Advance Three-Day tickets are available now at $20 per adult and are free for children 13 and under. Tickets grant access to the show all weekend long. Walk-up, day-of tickets are $22 per adult. 50% of the ticket proceeds will benefit Sails Up 4 Cancer. Tickets can be purchased by visiting ctspringboatshow.com, where participating exhibitors, boats and seminar times and details will be updated regularly. Free parking is available. For broker and vendor application information, contact Ben Cesare at ben@ctspringboatshow.com. ■
