Boat Show Special Events

Lake Erie Day

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18) the boat show will raise money for Lake Erie research by donating $1 from each ticket to the Ohio State University Sea Grant Program and Stone Laboratory.

Sea Grant’s programming for the day will be highlighted by a presentation from Kristen Stanford, the Lake Erie water snake researcher who was featured on an episode of “Dirty Jobs” on the Discovery Channel.

Food Drive Tuesday

Each visitor that brings four cans of food on Tuesday, Jan. 19, will receive free admission to the show.  All food will be donated to the Cleveland Foodbank to help feed the hungry in the community. 

Put-in-Bay Day – $5 after 5

At 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, the show’s admission price will be reduced to $5 through the remainder of the night to celebrate South Bass Island’s summer hot spot. Join exhibitors from the village in the Put-in-Bay Pavilion for an evening of entertainment from Mike “Mad Dog” Adams, Ray Fogg, and Westside Steve Simmons!

WMJI Wing Eating Contest

On Friday, Jan. 22, local contestants will try to eat as many Winking Lizard chicken wings as possible to win a pair of suite tickets to a Cavaliers game! The contest starts at 6 p.m. and will be judged by WMJI’s Jimmy Malone.

Adapt-a-Pet

On Jan. 15, 16, 23 and 24, the Northeast Ohio SPCA will hold an adopt-a-pet drive at the show. Dogs and cats like boating just as much as you do!

Boat Show Features

Angler’s Alley – New presentations and giveaways! See presentations from the region’s top fishing experts throughout the week on the Angler’s Alley stage. Saturdays will feature “mini colleges” and appearances by 2009 MWC World Walleye Champions and MWC Team of the Year winners Matt Davis and Dan Gies! Full Angler’s Alley schedule. Be sure to also sign up for the Taylor Marine Electronics Giveaway near the stage. At the end of the show, one winner will be drawn to take home a Raymarine A57D Chartplotter/Fishfinder AND a Ray218 waterproof VHF radio – a package worth more than $2,000! Visit the Taylor Marine booth in the show for details about the full line of Raymarine products.

SpongeBob SquarePants!

Everybody’s favorite sea sponge will travel from Bikini Bottom to the I-X center on Saturday, Jan. 16 and Sunday, Jan. 17 to entertain young visitors from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel

The small Florida gray squirrel may be the biggest star of the show!  Twiggy never goes on the water without her life jacket and encourages her fans to practice safe boating techniques. See her cruise on the water behind a remote controlled powerboat during the second half of the show, Wednesday through Thursday, at these times:

Capt'n Willie The Great Lakes Pirate

Providing a blend of Great Lakes knowledge, music, and nautical nonsense, Capt’n Willie the Great Lakes Pirate is sure to delight families. Children who visit all the learning stations at his Pirate Island will be awarded a free Ferris wheel ticket to use at the show! Join him for entertaining and educational shows about life jackets, aquatic species and more at the Pirate Island stage at the times: Visit Capt’n Willie’s website

Family Fun Day On A Boat

Enter to win fishing trips, sunset cruises, island runs and sailing excursions on Lake Erie and inland waterways at the main entrance.  Each trip will be supplied by an area boat dealer and would be a great way to spend time with family members.  Registration forms will be available from participating exhibitors.

Lake Erie’s Greatest Destinations

Several exhibitors have teamed up this year to form regional “islands” within the booths at the show. Find their locations on the show layout and visit each one to experience what Lake Erie has to offer!

Put-in-Bay Pavilion - The Boardwalk - The Crew’s Nest - Cruisin’ Tunes - Jet Express - Sunstoppers of Put-in-Bay Destination Vermilion - Bad Boy Bait & Tackle - Freeman Eckley - Lagoon Marine - Main Street Vermilion - Quaker Steak & Lube - Valley Harbor Marina - Vermilion Chamber of Commerce - Vermilion Port Authority - Vermilion Power Boats

Destination Sandusky - Cedar Point Marina - Chesapeake Lofts - City of Sandusky - Firelands Winery - Goodtime I Lake Erie Island Cruises - Lake Erie Shores & Islands - LakeView Condominiums - Lyman Harbor - Maritime Museum of Sandusky - Merry-Go-Round Museum - Sandusky Main Street Association - Sandusky State Theatre - Sandusky Yacht Club

I-68 Permits Available

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be offering Canadian Border Boat Landing (I-68) Permits at the show. The permit allows recreational boaters entering the U.S. from Canada to report arrivals by phone. To sign up, you will need to bring a government-issued identification and your passport. The cost (payable with cash or a check) is $16 for an individual or $32 for a family.

Nautical Flea Market

Everything from anchors to winch handles can be found at the Nautical Flea Market.  The market opens one hour after the expo does and closes one hour prior to the expo closing time.  Get there early, though – the bargains will not last long!

Magazine Deals

Included in your expo admission is a one-year subscription to Motor Boating, Yachting, or Salt Water Sportsman. Be sure to also stop by Lake Erie Living’s booth for more magazine deals.