‘Collecting antique boats is like collecting pieces of history’ at the White Bear Lake Boat Show

New and familiar faces flooded the shore on June 22 for the White Bear Lake Classic and Vintage Boat Show. Forecasted rain showers forced early voting at the 17th annual event, but attendees were able to stay dry long enough to enjoy a near record number of 48 boats on display from across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The event was started by boat enthusiast Pat Oven in 2006 and since his passing in 2020, the show has carried on in his honor. Brent Mason served as this year’s “Skipper” (Chairman) of the White Bear Lake Classic and Vintage Boat Show. He commented on the many friendships that grow from events like this one, where those of similar interests can come together. “A lot of the people have been doing this for years, so that’s pretty cool,” Mason said.

One of the boats in attendance was a 1954 Olliecraft “Ollie” made in Birchwood, MN by Oliver Washburn. In its early years, the boat spent many summers pulling skiers and cruising White Bear Lake, before exchanging ownerships. Though “Ollie” now resides in Duluth, MN, current owner Aaron Holmgren brought it back to where it all began for the show.

Pete Sampair has frequented the boat show since its first year, presenting his various crafts. This year he arrived with five of his wooden boats and even set one of them out in the water. He bought his first wooden boat in 1987, a 1967 Chris Craft. His dreams of owning a Riva recently came doubly true with a stroke of luck as he bided on and acquired two vintage 1930s Rivas earlier this year. These three crafts along with Sampair’s Johnson “Joan II” and Zanoth “Picnique Launch” were each on display at the show.

For Sampair, collecting antique boats is like collecting pieces of history. He and many others with and before him have put their time and memories over decades into making each of the boats what they are today. It is important to Sampair that others be allowed to experience his crafts as well.

“I really like to let people enjoy them,” Sampair said. “I look at them as kind of a living, breathing art museum and everybody gets to enjoy them.”

Along with scoping through classic and vintage crafts, show-goers were able to enjoy a nautical market where all things from vintage water skis to antique boat motors were available for purchase. The Edina Model Yacht Club also caught people’s eye making an appearance with their miniature remote control boats.

Near the end of the show, six awards were handed out. The People’s Choice Award was given to Sue Ahlcrona and Denny Trooien for their 1937 Hackercraft triple cockpit “Bootlegger.” The Favorite Motorized Wood Boat Award was given to Roger Ocel for his 1967 Larson “Falls Flyer.” The Favorite Motorized Non-wood Boat Award was given to Paul Chapin for his 1959 Alumacraft “Flying C.” The Favorite Non-motorized Boat Award was given to Robert Engstrom for his 18-foot guide canoe. The Best of Show Award was given to Kevin Westman for his 1955 Fairy Marine sailboat “Firefly.” The Kids Choice Award was given to Julie Bixby for her family’s 1941 Chris Craft Deluxe Utility “Old Fashioned Sweet.”

Al Lindquist and Joe Soucheray announced this year’s winners. Ben and Phyllis Krupowicz tallied the votes.

Mason and others hope to see even more new boats and faces at next year’s show.