Features at a Glance

Thanks for visiting. See you next year, January 20-23, 2011

NEW! Pirates of Colonial America

Avast ye mateys, surrender your booty!  Visit this interactive exhibit and learn how pirates played an active role in early Colonial America — from selling the colonists inexpensive untaxed goods to the start of the first North American college. Attendees young and old will enjoy visiting the pirates, taking home signed pirate articles and pardons, seeing their pub, the gunsmith, the stocks and taking pictures in pirate dress.

Come as you Arrrrgghh! Saturday is Pirate Day at the Boat Show, kids will receive a free pirate toy while supplies last and keep an eye out for some familiar pirate faces on the show floor. Jack Sparrow of the Twin Cities will be roaming the show entertaining attendees. Savvy?

NEW! Rail Jam

Prepare to be amazed! Watch as pro wakeboarders Erik Ruck, Josh Palma, Adam Errington, and Kevin Henshaw perform spectacular tricks and stunts on over 160' of water—right on the show floor.  Unlike on-the-water competitions where the riders are
100 feet away on the lake, this is up-in-your-face action with riders blasting 20-ft airs off the kicker! Produced by Step Up Productions.

Shows run for 20 mins.

Wed 1/20 — 7:30pm
Thurs 1/21 — 2pm, 4pm, 7pm
Fri 1/22 — 2pm, 4pm, 7pm
Sat 1/23 — 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 7pm
Sun 1/24 — 11am, 1pm, 3pm

Meet TC Bear on Fan Friday!

Come to the show on Fan Friday and snap a picture with TC Bear!  TC Bear will be at the Boat Show from 2–3pm on Friday, January 22nd. Remember, all adults wearing Minnesota pro team gear will receive $3 off admission (offer good at show box office only).

Affordability Pavilion

Think owning a boat is out of your reach? Think again!  When it comes to enjoyable ways to spend your leisure time, boating is for more affordable than you may realize. Visit the Affordability Pavilion to check out a special showcase of boats you can own for less than $250 per month. 

When you compare the costs of boating to a single day at an amusement park or a trip to any major league game, you'll find that dollar for dollar, boating is really quite affordable. See for yourself how boating can stretch your vacation and leisure time budget.
Compare Costs: Boating vs. Other Leisure Activities

Meet SpongeBob SquarePants

Straight from Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants will visit the Minneapolis Boat Show on Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24 from Noon–3pm. Don't miss your chance to see the porous little guy!

SailFest Seminar Series

Back by popular demand! Free daily seminars for both beginner and veteran sailors — as well as adventurers of all ages!  Click here to read about the speakers or here for the full seminar schedule.

Taste of the Lakes — Thanks for attending!

Attend the opening night of the Boat Show and get a taste of summer in the middle of January!  Sample delicacies from your favorite summertime haunts like Lord Fletcher's, Captain Jack's, Sunset's of Wayzata, Lola's Lakehouse and Zorbaz while listening to live music from Jambo Joe Bones and seeing all the latest boats and marine accessories. A portion of the admission proceeds from this evening will be donated to the building of the Ronald McDonald House within Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. The event will take place from 5pm–8pm or while supplies last! Don't miss this fun and tasty evening supporting a great cause!