Come and enjoy the boats, music and other activities. Children are thrilled to get on a boat, go for a boat ride and make their own wee boat. Hear free live music throughout the weekend. See the schedule below for musicians and the times they play. Admission is only $5 and children under 12 are free. The show goes on rain or shine!
Festival Location
The Antique and Classic Boat Festival is held at SHM Hawthorne Cove Marina, Salem, MA, 01970, Tel: 978-740-9890. Please note that the public entrance for the Festival is on Turner St.
By sea: Check coordinates for Hawthorne Cove Marina. For docking assistance, call channel 8.
By car: The visitor’s entrance is on Turner Street opposite the House of Seven Gables (visitor drop off is at the corner of Derby and Turner Streets). There is no public parking at the marina. On-street parking is limited. Parking options include Salem South Harbor Parking Garage, 10 Congress St, Salem, Google map link is https://www.google.com/maps/
By boat ramp: Continue down Derby Street past Turner Street for approximately one mile. Derby Street turns into Fort Avenue. Turn right at sign to Winter Island Park and follow the signs to the ramp.
By ferry from Boston: Take the Salem Ferry directly to the Festival! This is a 50 minute trip from Boston. There are six round trips daily. Visit the Salem Ferry website at http://www.salemferry.com/ or call them at 978-741-0220.
By public transportation: There is MBTA train and bus service from Boston to Salem. Rail service is on the Gloucester/Newburyport line out of North Station, Boston. Buses 450 and 455/459 run between Haymarket Square, Boston, and Salem Depot on weekends. The Festival is three-quarters of a mile from the station. MBTA information and schedules are available on mbta.com. 2018 Summer Special – Starting June 9th, there is a special MBTA commuter rail weekend fare – $10 for unlimited rides. Take the train to Salem for the festival!
2019 Festival Daily Schedule
Here is our 2019 schedule for Friday August 23, Saturday August 24 and Sunday August 25:
Public viewing hours are Saturday, 11:00AM – 5:00 PM and Sunday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
| Day | Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | |||
| 3:00-6:00PM | Boat Registration and Check-In | Marina Deck | |
| 5:00-6:00PM | Social Hour | Marina Deck | |
| 6:00-8:00PM | Reception and buffet with Dan MacInnis Trio (skippers and crews) | House of the Seven Gables | |
| Saturday | |||
| 7:30-10:00AM | Continental Breakfast (skippers and crew) | Marina Deck | |
| 9:00-11:00AM | Boat Registration and Check-In | Marina Deck | |
| 10:00-11:00AM | Opening Ceremony heralded by bagpipes | Marina Deck | |
| 10:00-11:00AM | Welcome by Mayor Kimberly Driscoll | Marina Deck | |
| 10:00-11:00AM | Presentation of the Edgar B. Caffrey Award to Erik Ronnberg Jr. | Marina Deck | |
| 10:00-11:00AM | Introduction of Judges | Marina Deck | |
| 10:00-11:00AM | Skipper's Meeting | Marina Deck | |
| 10:00AM-5:00PM | Exhibits and Crafts Market | Exhibits Tent | |
| 10:00-5:00PM | Children's Activities | Marina Deck | |
| 11:00AM-5:00PM | Vessels on Public Display | C Dock | |
| 11:00AM-5:00PM | Judging of Boats | C Dock | |
| 12:00-1:00PM | New New Orleans Jazz Band | Marina Deck | |
| 1:30-3:00PM | The Mood Elevators | Marina Deck | |
| 3:00-5:00PM | Toby Tobas Steel Pans | Marina Deck | |
| 6:00-7:00PM | Social Hour and Auction (skippers and crew) | Marina Deck | |
| 7:00-9:00PM | Dinner Party and Awards Presentation (ticket holders) | Exhibits Tent | |
| Sunday | |||
| 7:30-10:00AM | Continental Breakfast | Marina Deck | |
| 10:30AM | Boaters' Worship Service (All Welcome!) | Marina Deck | |
| 11:00AM-3:00PM | Vessels on Public Display | C Dock | |
| 11:00AM-3:00PM | Crafts Market | Exhibits Tent | |
| 11:00AM-3:00PM | Children's Activities | Marina Deck | |
| 12:30-1:30PM | Three Sheets to the Wind | Marina Deck | |
| 2:00-3:00PM | Outrageous Fortune Jug Band | Marina Deck | |
| 3:00PM | Announcement of Spectators' Choice winners | Marina Deck | |
| 3:00PM | Blessing of the Fleet with “Amen” Response | C Dock |
Vote for your favorite sailboat and powerboat!
Ballots can be picked up at the Admission tent.
Don’t forget to cast your ballot on the way out.
Attactions and Ammenities in Salem
