By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
The Grand Rapids Boat Show not only turns 75 this year but is also Michigan’s longest running show. And it will return to DeVos Place in Grand Rapids this week, running Wednesday, Feb. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 23.
The Grand Rapids Boat Show started in 1946 as the West Michigan Sportland Boat Show in the Welsh Auditorium, with less than 25,000 square feet of space, according to supplied material. It is now 250,000 square feet (5.74 acres) of display space throughout the main exhibition halls, Steelcase Ballroom, Grand Gallery and Grand River Overlook where more than 400 boats from over 100 manufacturers and 35 dealers are displayed side-by-side.
“The boaters of the Great Lakes State have embraced this grand tradition every winter for 75 years and this year they’ll find everything from aluminum fishing boats and personal watercrafts, to pro style ski and bass boats, luxury pontoon boats, runabouts, deck boats and big boats like yachts and cruisers … including the 42’ Regal Grande Coupe, recognized as this year’s ‘Queen of the Show’,” event promotional material states.
Other special features at the boat show include:
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel, performing daily.
Appearances by Pro Wakeboarders & Wakesurfers.
Vintage & wooden boats from Water Wonderland Chapter of Antique & Classic Boat Society.
The pop-up Lake Life Boutique featuring specialized food, drinks, live music and kids’ activities.
An opportunity to suit up and try out the SCUBA Dive Tank presented by Great Lakes Dive Locker.
A Boater Safety Certification (Saturday only) presented by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division.
Gizmo D. Robot as he strolls the show, visiting with kids of all ages.
DeVos Place is located at 303 Monroe St. NE, Grand Rapids. Ticket are $12 adults, $5 children aged 6 to 14. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.
There is close-by parking beneath DeVos Place, across the street and connected by skywalk. There is also a complimentary trolley available; park in the Dash Lot Area 9 on Seward ($2 total) and hop aboard the trolley which will be making runs on an 8-minute loop for an hour before the show opens to an hour after the show closes each day.
For more information visit here.
