Woody Weekend returning to Whitefish Lake

A record 40 boats will be part of the sixth annual Whitefish Woody Weekend, June 23 to 25 outside The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

Hosted by the Big Sky Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, Woody Weekend brings in boaters from throughout the Pacific Northwest to gather and showcase their unique watercraft. The event is open to the public and free to attend, and guests will have a chance to interact with the boats and their owners.

“We put on this boat show every year and have a lot of fun doing it,” Tim Salt, the boat show’s chairman said. “And having the people come out to enjoy it is a good part of our enjoyment.”

Salt himself is part of the show with two of his boats participating.

“We’re all kind of show-offs to some extent,” he said. “We want to show our boats, we want people to ask questions.”

The feature attractions are boats from three classifications, as defined by the Antique and Classic Boat Society, Antique (1919-42), Classic (1943-75) and Contemporary (1992-present).

The majority of boats on display are wood but, despite the show’s name, that’s not a requirement.

“The only thing that is required to participate is a love of antique and classic boats,” Salt said. “We have had fiberglass boats in the past and we certainly welcome fiberglass boats ... There’s something for everybody.”

Registration for boats this year sold out quicker than ever, according to Salt, and this year’s lineup of 40 includes 16 vessels that have never before been part of the event along with 29 boats that hail from outside the Flathead Valley. Because of space limitations, four of the 40 boats will be displayed on land.

“I think we have as good a representation of boats in this year’s show than we’ve ever had before,” Salt said. “There’s some truly spectacular boats and some unique boats, too.”

The festivities begin Friday night with a boat parade on Whitefish Lake, visible either from on the shore or on the lake, beginning at 8 p.m.

Saturday is the weekend’s main event, with boats showcased at the docks from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. At 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., a few of the classic boats will head to the water, towing water-skiers in an exhibition on the lake. There will also be hourly drawings for free boat rides.

The event closes Sunday with a poker run from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The Antique Classic and Boat Society is also looking for new members to join and, potentially, take part in next year’s Whitefish event. Salt said boats need no specific designation or value to be part of the society — one of his boats entered at Woody Weekend cost him $500 — and that he and his wife have deeply enjoyed time spent with other boaters.

“The thing that keeps us in it are the great people that we’ve met in the Pacific Northwest and all over the country,” he said. “We have friends in practically every state in the country.”

Salt did not have a particular fascination with boats growing up, rather a passion for cars and mechanics that eventually turned he and his wife toward the sea.

“It kind of combines our interest in old and new things and in superior craftsmanship,” he said. “And it opened up a world of recreation, too.”

For more information, visit www.bigskyacbs.com.