Well, my wife and I went to back to back shows in Madison, WI. and Quincy, IL in September and had a great time. The Madison show was a little wet, but the hospitality was great. In Quincy, the weather was outstanding and they had another successful show. At both events, it was great to visit with everybody where we could actually just sit back and enjoy everything. Thank you!

Todd Young's Boat Rocker for his grandson

Madison Boat Show

We had approximately 160 boats pre-registered for the 2008 event and it looked to be a great event for the Midwest to bring you the best of both worlds. Everybody said, "Well at least somebody above was watching out for us, and we still had a great show." True, I know we were blessed to have the event we did, considering the devastating floods Iowa had. Many people are still displaced, many who were volunteers for our event in Muscatine. It puts this event more into perspective of what really matters in life. But we are getting back on our feet and ready to celebrate in 2009 for our 3rd Annual Event. You will see we have many things to be fired up about.

As most people know, the APBA means racing boats, and they will be back in all shapes and sizes this year after a year absence due to the flood. We will be having the Vintage Hydroplanes, kneelers, Grand National hydroplanes, drag boats, and a little bit of everything doing testing and showing both to make this event unique. People coming to Muscatine will see almost every type of racing boats in one place and at one time doing testing for the 2009 season before many of the races take place. This year, the Antique and Classic boat show portion will also have an added attraction. The Century Boat Club has contacted us and they would like to move their annual national show this year from Manistee, Michigan to Muscatine to be a part of the event. Is that cool or what! Man, we are thrilled! This will be a first for them to move their national show from the home of Century Boats in Manistee, MI. to Muscatine to test the waters of their annual national show in a different location. We challenge everyone with a Century to make this portion of the event special for them and come on up, down, or over to Muscatine. We were thrilled and they will be marketing the event throughout the nation. They wanted to find a place in the mid- section of the country to allow more Century owners an opportunity to gather to share their love of Century boats. With some of the Century Board of Directors here last year, they went back and put in the good word and we are thrilled. Having a 30 acre park allows us to easily hold hundreds of boats in a pristine park setting along the mighty Mississippi.

Now, we are thrilled that Century is bringing their annual national show to Muscatine and we can't wait, but we will never forget what this show is, and from where this event started. Century will be back in Manistee next year, or move their event somewhere else possibly. Maybe they will like the hospitality and be here again, we don't know, but we do know how this event has grown because this event is for all boaters. We love ALL Antique and Classic Boats and Racing Boats. This year, and the years to follow will never be any different. We want all of the Antiques, Classics, and Race Boats, no matter what the make. The park will not be segregated based on types and everybody is treated equal. Some of us have as much pride in a polished up Crestliner with an old Evinrude RowBoat Motor as someone with a triple cockpit Chris Craft or Hacker. We will never play favorites or do politics. We will park and harbor boats on a first come first serve basis upon arrival, so if you want to be next to your buddies, come together.

As far as judging, Century will have judging for the Century boats. This is their tradition for their annual show and we respect that. So for you Century owners, get your boats finished and shined up. The rest of the event for all of the other boats will not be judged. The show is free for all participants and we would rather have great food and fellowship for everyone, than trophies for a select few.

The City of Muscatine is working in the harbor at this time to get it ready for the spring event. After the flood of 2008, they are scraping and reseeding the park and will have it ready by next May for the event. The fencing and paving are all completed and striping has been completed. The park is really nice.

For those of you that have never been to Muscatine, it is like a big picnic in the park for everybody. We have APBA race boat testing with your favorite racing boats from the past and present, cardboard boat and paddle boat regattas that anybody can be in (including boat show participants as can be seen with Don Dando and Steve Schomborg who are from Speedliner fame with their old helmets), kid's games, historical displays, car show, race cars, motorcycles, and a park full of boats. Add in the Century National Boat Show and 2009 will definitely be one to make your plans for. We promise you a good time!

So mark your calendars now, the planning has begun and you will start to see things coming to life shortly. We welcome everybody back and we will do all we can to make 2009 an event to be proud of for everybody. The registration is again free, and the City of Muscatine is fired up to make 2009 special for everybody!

Tell others, and if you know of others who want to receive the e-mail event news updates, let us know. If they want to watch from the outside looking in, have them follow along at www.muscatineboatshow.com