Maine Boatbuilders Show 2020 is postponed

The Maine Boatbuilders Show in Portland has been a rite of spring for many years, but this year as the state responds to the spreading threat of the COVID19 virus, show organizers have opted to postpone.

As of Friday, three people in Maine had tested positive for the virus, and Maine Gov. Janet Mills has asked that all gatherings of 250 people or more be called off. 

Show organizer Phin Sprague said he planned to canvass exhibitors and attendees for their thoughts on rescheduling the event, which had been planned for March 20-22. “The unprecedented and rapidly evolving public response to containing this virus pandemic demands commensurate cooperation,” he said.“Consulting with exhibitors, we find that given the sum total of this economic disruption, our exhibitors prefer not to put their employees at risk and make the additional financial investment in hotels and travel.”

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors has been an exhibitor at the Portland show since it started over 30 years ago, said Publisher John K. Hanson Jr. “We are so sad to miss this chance to connect with our readers and fellow boat nuts. But we know that keeping the community healthy is way more important," he said. "In the meantime, we encourage magazine readers and others who love boats to visit our website at maineboats.com where they will find hundreds of stories about boats, Maine, art, and life on the coast, to keep them entertained until they can get back on the water.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Daysailers at the start of the 2019 Camden Classic Cup, which this year will take place July 23-25 in Camden. Photo by Alison Langley