By David Irvine, Water Wonderland / Michigan Chapter, ACBS
The 47th Annual Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show was held on Saturday, August 9, 2025. The event is held in Hessel, Michigan, just 35 minutes northeast of the Mackinac Bridge, and has been hosted by the Les Cheneaux Historical Association. Proceeds help to fund the operation of our historical and maritime museums.
Many approach Hessel from lower Michigan, crossing the 5-mile-long Mackinac Bridge, completed in 1957, which crosses the Straits of Mackinac.
The Water Wonderland Chapter (WWC) of the Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS) is one of the largest chapters and was originally founded in Traverse City (northwest region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula). Its members not only hail from throughout the state, but across the Midwest. This chapter has long been a supporter of the Hessel Boat Show, one of the largest in the nation.
It was a great weekend, complete with an impromptu boat cruise coordinated by Paul Tabor on Thursday, a poker run cruise and reception on Friday and the Boat Show on Saturday. Enjoy the photos!
On Friday morning, approximately 20 boats departed the harbor at Hessel and motored towards Cedarville to collect 5 cards at locations throughout the Les Cheneaux Islands. Participants show a number and are given a card at each location. They are given a map and told to look for the LARGE rubber ducky to aid in finding the location.
Friday afternoon included a Car Show in Downtown Cedarville with 83 cars participating! It is put on by the Historical Association, which raises money for the maintenance of its Maritime and Historical Museum. People could also assist the Association by buying raffle tickets for a canvas-covered canoe, built from scratch. Friday evening concluded with a reception, hosted by the Les Cheneaux Historical Association at their wonderful museum. The museum is open through the summer season and offers an excellent opportunity to appreciate a couple of dozen boats, from historic native canoes to wooden Chris-Craft boats.
Saturday morning started VERY early for many at Hessel Harbor. Boats of all shapes, sizes, and makes came from across the Midwest for a beautiful but HOT day! 173 boats were registered, an increase of 40 boats over the cool, damp, and windy 2024 show.
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- Judges (from all generations) are working to strengthen the knowledge of the classic boating community.
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- We hope to see you next year!