An old-fashioned, family-oriented picnic will be held to celebrate National Maritime Day on Saturday, June 8 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the N.C. Maritime Museum’s expansion site at Gallants Channel in Beaufort. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort and is free and open to the public.

Attendees are invited to sail in the Museum’s fleet of traditional wooden boats, cast a line with a cane pole, join in games or just relax and enjoy the music and spectacular view of Gallants Channel and the surrounding waterway. Enjoy a free lunch while you take in the sight of Captain Sinbad’s vessel the Meka II, which will be docked alongside for onshore viewing.

Information on joining the Friends of the Museum will be available and participants can learn about the myriad of ways the organization provides support to the Museum.

The day will wrap up with a reception at 2 p.m. for those who have purchased bricks for the waterfront courtyard.

Prior the Maritime Day picnic, the Museum will host “Battle of the Boats” from 10 – 11 a.m. This event is designed to test the boat handling skill of the individual participants in their own boats. It will be a race against the clock as one contestant at a time maneuvers their vessel through the set course. The course is specifically designed to gauge the skill of the boat driver and not the speed of the boat. The competition is spectator-friendly with all the action taking place within 100 feet of the docks. All boats under 25’ are welcome to participate.

For information on participating in Battle of the Boats contact Brent Creelman at (252) 728-1638. For information on the Maritime Day picnic, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Friends office at (252) 728-2762.

About National Maritime Day

National Maritime Day is a United States holiday created to recognize the maritime industry. It is observed on the anniversary of the date that the American steamship Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia on the first ever transoceanic voyage under steam power. The holiday was created by the United States Congress in 1933.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort will once again offer 2nd Saturdays programs this summer. These events combine the unique power of the arts and heritage with lots of hands-on fun each second Saturday during the peak summertime vacation months.

For families on a budget looking for exciting things to do, for a "staycation" or a local weekend getaway, 2nd Saturdays programs from the Department of Cultural Resources are the answer.

For a complete list of programs offered at the Museum this summer, click here.

The weather wasn't the best, but crowds still came out to check out the 39th annual Wooden Boat Show. Dozens of boats were on display in the Museum parking lot and along Front Street. Model boats were on display inside the auditorium.

The Wooden Boat Kids Area is always a hit. Young visitors made sailor's bracelets, sported pirate tattoos, and even made their own miniature boats to float in the "pool" set up on the Museum patio.

Mark your calendars now for the 40th annual Wooden Boat Show to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014!

Award Winners

Best-of-Show
Legend Has It, Gerald Hurst

People’s Choice (popular vote)
Legend Has It, Gerald Hurst

Captains’ Choice (participant vote)
Wassail, Dean Herring

Kids’ Choice (popular vote)
Susan G, Tony Day

Best Sail
Wassail, Dean Herring

Best Inboard Power
Legend Has It, Gerald Hurst

Best Outboard Power
Willis 22 Old School, Willis Boat Works

Best Row
Narrow Escape, Bob Bailey

Best Paddle
18-foot Ryan Taro Kayak, Fifth Avenue Boat Works

Best Classic Inboard Power
L’il Rascal, Alan Hills and Leif Erickson

Best Classic Outboard Power
1953 12-foot Barbour Runabout, Tom Maron

Best Up-and-Coming Boatbuilder
Macomber 15, Masonboro Skiff Co.

Carolina Maritime Model Society Best in Show (participant vote)
Piracy, Efram Ortiz

Spritsail Race
Snow, Brent Creelman & Jim Zaradke

Discovery Time brings the fun of the museum to our summer audience!

Get off the beach and out of the heat and learn a little more about North Carolina’s Maritime heritage. Presentations will include feature-length films including “Blackbeard’s Lost Ship: Secrets of the Dead” and “Rescue Men: the Story of the Pea Island Lifesavers,” a Thursday program on “Talkin’ Art with Donna,” demonstrations on scrimshaw and in-depth looks at museum artifacts and exhibits.

Come join us weekdays at 3 p.m. Check back for a more detailed schedule as dates approach.