Did you happen to see the Budweiser commercial that didn’t run during the Super Bowl this year? It showcased videos of people turning apartment balconies into cheering sections, fences into six-foot-long picnic tables, birthday parties into parades. The theme was how much we’ve relied on transformation to prevail during a pandemic.
Trust us when we tell you: it is one amazing commercial.
Transformation is happening at every level right here in the Lake Cumberland region as well, right down to how we’re pre-gaming boating season this year. No, local vendors aren’t hauling their wares to big-city boat shows to showcase their latest products this year; those events are all canceled. Instead, something rather lovely is happening right here by the lake. On March 26 & 27, local vendors are hosting individual open houses at their showrooms so people can get a more intimate look at what is new and exciting in the boating world in 2021.
We’re calling it The No Boat Show Boat Show, an acknowledgment of, yes, our strange times and indication of the fun and light-hearted tour that awaits you.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The show will be geared toward aspiring boaters, those looking to sell, as well as boaters looking to upgrade (or trick out!) their watercraft. Along the way, you’ll be able to:
- get a look at the latest line of boats for sale, from pontoons to fishing boats to cabin cruisers
- view pre-owned boats for sale
- get a look at the latest in boating accessories like diving boards, stereos, custom upholstery and watersports equipment
- get information about service and storage
- get information about vacation spots
More than 15 vendors are participating and offering their own spin at their individual open houses. Wake Cumberland Watersports alone will have 13 booths set up, featuring information about everything from swim platforms and towers to lake decals, lily pad diving boards and SeaDek flooring. They’ll have food trucks onsite, as well as musician Chris Lackey covering rock and country tunes.
“We think the event is going to go extremely well,” said co-owner Greg Dalton. “We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback already.”
EXTRA INCENTIVE
To make things even more interesting, you’ll be given a card at your first stop, which will list all of the participating vendors in the show. Get your card stamped at four or more of the vendor locations on your tour, and you’ll be entered in a drawing. The prizes? A houseboat rental at State Dock (home to more houseboat rentals than anywhere else in the world). A pontoon rental at Rowena Marina and a 12-person pontoon from Conley Bottom Resort. Tritoon rentals from Safe Harbor Burnside and Safe Harbor Jamestown marinas.
Cool, right?
In addition, local hotels are offering a 10 percent discount to No Boat Show Boat Show attendees. Just mention the name of the event and get a reduced rate at Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn or Best Western Inn & Suites in Somerset?
To promote the show in a big way, officials from Pulaski County and Russell County have teamed up.
“It’s a great partnership,” said Janette Marson, executive director of Lake Cumberland Tourist Commission. “We always work better together than apart.”
Michelle Allen, executive director of Somerset-Pulaski County Convention & Visitors Bureau, agreed and said she’s looking forward to the event.
“Admittedly, the pandemic has made us get extra creative this year,” she said. “This is our way of offering quality information about boating to visitors and locals alike. In fact, we’re so excited about The No Boat Show Boat Show we’re actually hoping to host it every year.”
Michelle Allen
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 26 & 27. To see a list of participating vendors, see the event page.
