The 2011 Wooden Boat Show on the Grand Marais waterfront at North House Folk School was well-attended. Despite some blustery winds, events all went on as planned and visitors were able to enjoy learning about boats and boat building, as well as many other traditional crafts.
Another year of celebrating the tradition of wooden boat building has come and gone, leaving a wake of people looking forward to next year’s event. The 2011 North House Folk School Wooden Boat Show saw more boats on campus than ever before—35 boats of all shapes and sizes.
There were boats with the final waterproofing just finished and there was one boat that was 100 years old. And there was a delightful mix of boats in between, kayaks and prams, sailboats and canoes. There are no prizes for boats—no biggest, oldest or shiniest—because said North House Director Greg Wright, “They are all so different, there would be no way to categorize them. The focus of the boat show is to celebrate the art of boat building, to come together and dialog and learn from one another.”
The Wooden Boat Show would not be possible, North House Director Wright, if not for a “sea of volunteers.” He thanked the over 50 volunteers who did everything from sweeping the parking lot the day before the boat show to taking down the big red-and-white tent at the end. Volunteers also assisted with setting up the famous Boats-to-Tools Auction, which included an amazing array of 356 items this year, said Wright, also thanking the auction donors and bidders.
A highlight of the Wooden Boat Show is the Summer Solstice Pageant. This year’s production on Saturday evening, June 18 was Never Mine-d. Colorful costumes are the order of the day, such as this verdant green patchwork frog queen, who awakened the bog.
One item that did not go in the auction is the sturdy timber frame crafted by local high school Industrial Arts students. Wright explained that the timber frame is sold to fund the collaboration between the folk school and area high schools each year, so there is a minimum bid sought for the timber frame. “So, the timber frame is still ‘on the block’,” said Wright.
Anyone interested in the timber frame can view it in on campus, where it will be put to good use throughout the summer. “We will stretch a tarp over it and use it for outdoor class space,” said Wright.
He also expressed thanks to the 10 restaurants that participated in the Lake Superior Chowder Experience—Chez Jude, Angry Trout, Coho Café, Blue Water Café, The Pie Place, Lutsen Resort, The Crooked Spoon, Cascade Restaurant, Dockside Fish Market, Naniboujou Lodge, and Beth’s Fudge for dessert!
Although all was not ducky after the foxes arrived and the ducks were told that “DUCKS CAN’T VOTE!” the ducks found a way to make themselves heard.
The event included much more—a harbor side barbecue hosted by the Grand Marais Lions Club and Cook County Historical Society, dancing to Over the Waterfall, a live broadcast by WTIP Community Radio, the colorful and comedic Summer Solstice Pageant and Puppet Show, an array of interesting speakers and craft demonstrators, and more.
Mark your calendar for next year’s Wooden Boat Show, June 22 – 24, 2012! It is a summer event that sails by all too quickly.
All was ducky in the bog until the corporate foxes arrived to survey the swamp.
As GAMEPALAJ played a final song (above), the Sun King made his traditional appearance. All was well again in the bog!
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