33rd Annual Concours d'Elegance/Wooden Boat Week 2005

August 4-11, 2005: Wooden Boat Week
August 5-6, 2005: Concours d'Elegance

Download the Wooden Boat Week Invitation here

Revisit the Fabulous Fifties at Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation's Wooden Boat Week and Concours d'Elegance Aug. 4-11, 2005

The automotive tail fin became all the rage during the fifties, but cars weren’t the only contraptions to sprout fins. The boating industry embraced the style as well, and several boat manufacturers began to incorporate large, Cadillac-style fins in their designs. This summer’s Wooden Boat Week celebrates the fins of the fifties by choosing this design element as the marque, or featured, class of the 2005 Concours d'Elegance.

“Each year, we choose a marque class that we think will be interesting for spectators and boat exhibitors alike. This year’s retro theme is going to be really fun,” said Philip Ballantyne, Wooden Boat Week chairman. “We typically only see a handful of boats in the competition with fins,” Ballantyne added, “but this year’s event should attract about 20 of them.”

While Chris-Craft made several models with fins, including the popular Cobra, the Silver Arrow, and the Continental, Ballantyne also expects to see entries by other boat manufacturers such as Ventnor, Switzer Craft, and Arena Craft.

The Concours d'Elegance, which has become one of North America’s most premier venues for exhibiting and judging vintage wooden craft, will showcase vessels from other eras throughout the 19th and 20th centuries in addition to the fifties. Boat exhibitors are now busily preparing their prize possessions for what is rightfully known as a tough competition. To win an award at this show is a prestigious honor indeed.

The two-day Concours d'Elegance, which will be August 5 and 6, 2005 at Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay, North Lake Tahoe, is just part of a larger event—Wooden Boat Week— taking place August 4th to 11th, 2005. The week-long event includes parties, lakeside picnics, on-water wooden boat parades and rallies, and even a fashion show luncheon. All events are open to the public.

Tickets to the Concours d'Elegance are $25 for an adult two-day pass; one day passes will be sold for $20. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. Proceeds from the show will again be donated back into the community.

Join Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation as it salutes the fabulous fifties and more at the Concours d'Elegance this August. For tickets, call 530-581-4700; for lodging, contact the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association at 800-824-6348.

Are you a member of the press? Check our online press room for current/past releases and media information.

Read a recap of 2004's Wooden Boat Week here.

Special thanks to 2005 Concours d'Elegance sponsors: 

For further information regarding our Concours activities, or to take advantage of advertising, marketing and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kelli Gintel by e-mail or by phone at 530-581-4700.