The Adirondack Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society hosted another fantastic antique and classic show in the Fulton Chain at the Old Forge waterfront. The weather couldn’t have been better nor could the diversity of boats, both in the water and on land.
The weekend started on Friday at 12 noon with the traditional cruise from Old Forge Pond to Inlet for ice cream. Smooth waters greeted the small fleet that made a delightful afternoon run on lakes One through Four. The Rendezvous officially opened later in the afternoon with a welcome reception on the Forge Motel overlook. It was a reunion of old friends and several new faces. Many who reconvene annually describe the afternoon and evening affair as their favorite night of the summer. The Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill provided a sumptuous variety of pulled chicken, roasted turkey, beef brisket, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and summer squash. Decadent specialty cakes of several flavors were made by local baker Kristen Armendola. No one left the show hungry unless they were too busy socializing and forgot to get a plate. It was truly an amazing day to kick off the weekend.
Early Saturday morning the waterfront was buzzing with show preparation activity, summer sun and heat. Although the public show is advertised to begin at 10 AM, people are often seen strolling the docks by 9 AM for an early glimpse. The center entrance to the show this year was a dazzling display of four mahogany beauties including a 26 foot pre-war Chris-Craft triple cockpit, a 26 foot Contemporary Gold Cup Racer, a 20 foot Chris-Craft resto-mod, and post-war Chris-Craft Special runabout. Making way past these and turning in either direction, viewers were treated to a diversity of antique and classic vessels of all types like never before. There were several land displays to showcase boat brokerage services, restoration services and much more.
The Adirondack Chapter-sponsored Adironduck was giving rides while promoting personal flotation device safety to youth and families. At the same time Dunn’s Boat service provided free rides to people of all ages aboard their 1955 Chris-Craft Grace. The Old Forge American Legion served barbecued food and cold drinks that visitors enjoyed with live music.
Saturday evening the Restaurant at the Thendara Golf Club laid out a great buffet dinner menu with boneless barbecued chicken, pork ribeye, sweet potato fries, orzo salad, bean salad, tossed salad, and dessert. The Fulton Chain Rendezvous volunteers were recognized for their work and show sponsors were thanked.
The Rendezvous is a non-judged show. The winners for the classes below are Antique & Classic Boat Society designated categories chosen by balloting. The winners are chosen by fellow participants, except for the Chris-Craft Stewardship Award.
The 2025 winners are:
Historic 1904 Launch Echo owned by the Hornick Family
Antique 1921 Hutchinson The Queen owned by Alan and Marsey Rosenblum
Classic Utility 1954 Chris-Craft Holiday DanMar owned by Dan and Margaret Harder
Classic Runabout 1960 Shepherd Adirondack Jules owned by Kevin and Julianne Reaume
Late Classic 1990 Hackercraft It Certainly Is owned by Scott Bessette
Contemporary 2001 Wilson Water Car Cold Cup Race Boat T-14 owner by Teresa Hoffman
Outboard 1957 Larson Thunderhawk Knot Wood owned by Jocelen Pearson
Land Display 1957 Chris-Craft Holiday Resto-Mod Golden Fury owned by Duane and Jeanne Cipas
Exhibitor’s Choice 1962 Century Resorter End of The Line owned by Eric and Erna Newman
Chris-Craft Stewardship Award 1934 Chris-Craft Runabout Adirondack owned by Rob Kidd
People’s Choice Old Forge Fire Department received the most votes but was not in contention, so the award went to runner up, a 1945 US Coast Guard Launch Geraldine owned by Joe Sabo
The Fulton Chain Rendezvous Committee is grateful for its community partner: the Adirondack Partnership for the 21st Century (Living ADK); and assistance from the Town of Webb Administration, and the Old Forge Fire and Police departments.
The Fulton Chain Rendezvous thanks its sponsors for making the annual Rendezvous possible. They are: Ace Stores in Old Forge and Inlet; Adirondack Experience – the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake; Black River Boatworks in Forestport; Classic Boat Collective in Alexandria Bay 1000 Islands; Community Wellness Partners of Old Forge; Daiker’s on Fourth Lake, Front Door Diner, GarWood Boats in Brant Lake; Hall’s Boat in Lake George; Mountainside Smokehouse & Grill; Old Forge Pond Holdings LLC; Reets Boatworks & Bayside Marina on Great Sacandaga Lake, Alan Rosenblum, The Strand Theater, The Lakes and Villages Cottages of Old Forge; Tow Bar Inn; Tumblehome Boatshop in Warrensburg; Uvanni Motors in Rome; and Waggin It, In the ADK.
The Adirondack Chapter’s next show will be the Lake George Rendezvous August 22-23 at the Lake George Village waterfront. Next year the Fulton Chain Rendezvous will take place July 10 and 11.
Find more information on the activities of the Adirondack Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society at: https://acbs-adc.org/
Unfortunately I was unable to attend this year due to medical issues with my wife. First time I have missed it in over 20 years but I will be there next year.