The public is welcome to attend an assembly of wooden and birch bark canoes in an event brought to you by the UP Chapter of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association. This Regional Assembly will occur on Saturday, August 17th from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm at
Tourist Park in Marquette, Michigan. WCHA members from around the mid-west will exhibit their finely crafted new or restored wooden boats. The event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated.
On display will be historically significant antique wooden canoes and modern hand-built bark and wood strip canoes, along with some other small watercraft. Demonstrations from 10:00-5:00 will include repairing a wooden canoe, aspects of birch bark canoe construction, and paddle making. Solo and freestyle paddling techniques, as well as a water safety demonstration, will take place on the water.
Boat owners and demonstrators will share their knowledge and skills with visitors as they walk among the beautifully crafted wooden boats and traditional crafts on display. Of special interest will be the newly built Klondike Canoe. Klondike Canoes were designed and built by the late Elmer Johnson of Lake Linden, Michigan in the 1980s.
This event will display many of the nearly 30 canoes that were at one time crafted in the Upper Peninsula.
The day will conclude with a “Parade of Canoes” approximately at 7:30 PM on the Dead River. Boats will be launched from the beach area at Tourist Park and spectators are welcome to view this unique parade from the beach or from the fishing pier along the north shoreline.
The Upper Great Lakes Regional Canoe Assembly will be held, Rain or Shine! Come on out and join us!
For more information or if you would like to display a wooden canoe or other small craft, please contact Judy or Craig Kitchen at jkitchenmqt@gmail.com or 906.225.1769.
