Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day
Saturday, May 25, 2024
The Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum (WCHM) in Spooner is once again making plans to celebrate Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day in 2024 on Saturday May 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This free event marks the opening of the fourteenth season for the museum, and will include open house in the museum exhibit hall, ongoing activities in the canoe workshop, live music and food and beverage outdoors in the beer garden, a silent auction and canoe raffle, and of course the Canoe & Wooden Boat Show.
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Canoe & Wooden Boat Show
The Canoe & Wooden Boat will be the highlight of the day. Over twenty exhibitors are expected to display wooden boats of all shapes, sizes, and designs --both classic and modern-- as well as all kinds of classic and vintage water and paddling related items. Already registered to display is Thomas Knuteson from Waukesha. He will be showing a 1948 Shell Lake Snipe and a 1948 Martin 45 Outboard. Mark Storrs of Pompano, Florida, plans to show off his very rare 1915 BN Morris canoe. Justin Leonard of Spooner will be displaying a wooden racing boat. Megan Johnson from Pine City (MN) will have her handmade Megastar Paddles on sale. Alex Comb of Stewart River Boatworks in Knife River (MN) is bringing two 15 foot Ami wood and canvas canoes he has for sale. Greg Eide is coming from Decorah, Iowa, to sell his 12 foot Vermont Packboat built by the Adirondack Guide Boat Company. These are just a few examples of the exhibitors that will be in attendance. There is always room for more, booth space is free, and reserving a space is easy. You can use our online registration form, or write to [email protected] or call 715-635-2479. |
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Food & Music In The Beer Garden
While the Canoe & Wooden Boat Show goes on through the day, the outdoor beer garden will once again feature food, beverage, and live music on the “back porch” stage. In 2024 we’ll enjoy the music and shenanigans of Blu Kanu and also Les Fils du Voyageur, along with burgers, brats, and beverages from Bent Paddle Brewery in Duluth. Blu Kanu performs crowd favorites from the 70s through present times. These two sibling troubadours engage the audience and create an atmosphere where folks want to join in singing or play one of the many percussive instruments the duo shares. With a lot of positive energy when performing, they make the most of their "sibling DNA harmonies." Les Fils du Voyageur brings the fur trade era to life through songs of the voyageurs. Performed a capella in three part harmony, and portrayed in authentic period costume, Les Fils du Voyageur present an extensive collection of paddling, working and playing songs that paint an exciting historical overview of the life and times of a voyageur. |
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Silent Auction
The 2024 Canoe & Wooden Boat Show on May 25 at the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum will once again include an auction of various items that have been recently donated to the museum. A relatively new feature of the boat show, the silent auction gives attendees the opportunity to take home some unique bargains on items, and at the same time support museum fundraising efforts. Here is a partial list of items we plan to have in the 2024 auction. --1945 Old Town Yankee canoe, restored some time ago by Dennis Williams of Williams Wooden Boats. This canoe was donated to WCHM by Nile Vernon of Stone Lake (WI). --Partially completed cedar strip 17 foot Great Auk kayak donated by Brian Kalvelage of Stoddard WI. --Canadian National Archives print of Frances Ann Hopkins’ Voyageur painting. donated by Lon Blakey of Oak Creek WI. --WCHM Branded Canvas Day Pack hand made by Frost River in Duluth MN. --Autographed hard cover copy of Hudson Bay Bound by Natalie Warren. --Native plant consultation worth $500 from Anna Demers. --Bonnlo Kayak Cart & Canoe Dolly. Foldable canoe dolly with no-flat airless tire wheels. --Hamms Beer sign donated by Lon Blakey of Oak Creek WI. --Wenonah Anniversary Metal Plate Sign donated by Mike Cichanowski of Wenonah Canoes. |
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Annual Canoe Raffle
A major fund raising activity for the WCHM is the annual canoe raffle. The winning ticket holder will once again have their choice of two canoes: an 18 foot 1946 Old Town Guide (serial #146660) newly restored in the WCHM Canoe Shop, or a 16 foot cedar canvas solo canoe that is still being built in the WCHM Canoe Shop. Tickets will be available at the boat show for $20 or six for $100. Although the final drawing will not be until September 2024, there will be several drawings for intermediate prizes during the boat show. |
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Where to Find Us:
The Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum is a 501c3 volunteer led non-profit organization based in Spooner, Wisconsin (312 N Front St). Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Day is a free event in Spooner produced by the WCHM each year on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information call 715-635-2479 or write to [email protected]. For nearby motel lodging we recommend Best Western Riverplace Motel at 715-635-9770. For camping, travel, or other lodging information contact the Washburn County Tourism Association at 800-367-3306.
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