After a successful 2010 event, organizers Roger Stouff and Gary Blum have decided to continue the show. The first gathering included 12 wooden boats ranging from small canoes to yachts.
“We hope to at least double that next year,” Stouff said. “Franklin may be a remote location compared to other similar wooden boat gatherings in the area, but our hospitality, small-town charm and ideal location on Bayou Teche makes us a winner.”
The show is seeking not only visitors, but participants. It is open to any type of vessel made of wood or plywood, from Cajun skiffs to antique runabouts to luxury yachts. There is no admission fee for visitors, and no entry fee for participants.
“Gary and I are just a couple of wooden boat enthusiasts who thought it would be great to bring our hobby into the public eye,” Stouff said. “These beautiful works of craftsmanship are a joy to behold.”
Included in the inaugural show were a 1920s Elco motor yacht; a 1930s Garwood triple cockpit runabout; two Cajun pulling skiffs; sinker-cypress pirogues and a 1950s Thompson lapstrake.
The show is held on Parc sur la Teche in conjunction with the Bayou Teche Black Bear and Birding Festival. Participants are urged to set up Friday evening due to restricted access to the festival grounds, but accomdations can be made for late arrivers. Local motels and bed and breakfasts are available for lodging both in Franklin and the nearby area.
Franklin is less than two hours from New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and an hour from Lafayette. The city and festival site can also be reached by water via the Intracoastal Waterway.
There is dry space available for trailered boats, and water space along the Bayou Teche bulkhead.
Pre-registration is required. Participants need to specify if they want onshore space or water. For more information, visit www.techeboatshow.com, or email webmaster@banner-tribune.com.
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