1. What is the Boat Show and Festival of Arts?
2. Where is the Boat Show and Festival of Arts?
3. When is the Boat Show and Festival of Arts?
4. Festival of Arts
5. Villages of Hessel & Cedarville

What is the Boat Show?

The Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show, held each year in Hessel, Michigan, has been a center of attraction since it began in 1976. The show boasts more than 170 entries each year, and is easily the largest show featuring antique and classic wood boats. Some of the country's finest boats call beautiful Les Cheneaux Islands home. Most of these boats are used daily during the summer months as a primary mode of transportation to and from the cottages dotting the area's sheltered islands. Entries in the Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show arrive each August from as far as California and Florida and include dinghies, rowboats, canoes, large cruisers, steam and gas-powered launches, sailboats of all sizes, utilities, runabouts, and racing boats. The Antique Wooden Boat Show is Sponsored by the Les Cheneaux Historical Museum, which uses the proceeds from this event, along with other contributions to maintain and enhance the Historical Museum and the Maritime Museum, which are located in nearby Cedarville. Where is the Boat Show The boat show is held at the public marina in Hessel. Hessel can be reached by air or by highway. Our paved runway at the Albert Lindberg Airport is 3,700 feet long. If you're traveling via highway, take Exit 359 off I-75 and go east on M-134 for 16 miles. If you need more help you can view our driving instructions and the map.

Festival of Arts Held in conjunction with the Antique Wooden Boat Show each year is the Festival of Arts. Artists and craftspersons display and sell a variety of gift items including photographs, paintings, pottery made with natural Upper Peninsula clay, wood toys, dolls, and many other items. Around 75 of the state's finest artists will be showing and selling their work. Cedarville & Hessel The communities of Cedarville and Hessel are the business centers of the Les Cheneaux Islands. This is where you can find accommadations, shopping, and other business services. Be sure to stop by the Historical and Maritime Museums in Cedarville while attending the Antique Wooden Boat Show and relive the rich history of our area.