Wherever you go in DIXIELAND, the people are friendly and the boats and scenery are gorgeous.
Dixieland Chapter was formed in 1983 with membership responsibility for eight states, AL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, and TN. Truly the Dixieland States! The first Chapter Meeting was in Ashville, NC. Membership growth from that first meeting was rapid. In 1986 a Chapter to cover the Carolinas and Georgia was formed from the Dixieland membership. In later years, Dixieland would spawn two more Chapters, one in Kentucky and one in Southern Louisiana. While membership is welcome from any state, Dixieland membership today is principally drawn from Alabama, Tennessee, Northern Louisiana and Eastern Mississippi.
Boat Show events are traditionally held on Guntersville Lake, Wheeler Lake, and Pickwick Lake – all are on the Tennessee River. While the boat shows are not judging shows, awards are made for people’s choice and skipper’s choice. Occasionally, there may be some humorous ones to pass out. Our events are family friendly with food and boat riding. Guests are always welcome and no one gets left at the docks.
ACBS Executive Director Dan Gyoerkoe attended the 2017 Dixieland Chapter event at Wheeler Lake. This was his reaction,
“My recent visit to the Dixieland Chapter was my ninth since starting with the ACBS in January. I continue to be impressed with the people in the ACBS community and their passion for vintage boats. The best part for me is that no two boat stories are the same. Each boat owner has a unique story.
I went for a cruise on part of the Tennessee River and Second Creek in a Chris Craft Riviera. The water was flat, the setting beautiful, and the ride perfect. I could get used to this.”
Dixieland Chapter has one more “main” event this year, the weekend of October 13th, on the Mississippi side of Lake Pickwick, a lake located just off of the Tennessee River where it flows from Tennessee into Mississippi.
This Chapter has so much knowledge to share about vintage boats. They are a welcoming group of people who also have a lot of fun together.
54 International Chapters of ACBS
The Antique and Classic Boat Society has 54 Chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and France. ACBS members who affiliate with a home chapter find a group of friends with whom to share boating experiences, boat stories, and the skills needed to maintain and/or preserve and restore their vintage boats. Inevitably, the genuine relationships formed at the chapter level are always mentioned when an ACBS member is asked why they value their ACBS membership.
Please share information about your chapter. Anyone can do that. You may email up to six pictures and text to kathyparker@acbs.org.