Tuckerton Seaport's First Boat Show Festival Coming Up On Saturday

The Tuckerton Seaport will debut its first Boat Show Festival on Saturday, with more than 100 new, classic, and antique vessels, along with tributes to the military for Armed Forces Day.

Watch Army veteran Ron Spodofora, head of Perrine's Boatworks work on building a garvey. Pound fisherman Carl Tarnow will discuss commercial fishing and net mending. Capt. Fred Kalm, veteran and commercial clammer, will teach clam tonging in Parson’s Clam House. The Penn-Jersey Basket Guild will demonstrate how to make traditional South Jersey maritime baskets, according to the Seaport website.

David Rhodes will discuss his book "The Last Man on Howling Head Island," at 1 p.m. Jill DeFelice, local author and member of Pine Shores Art Association, will also be on hand.

Several events will honor the U.S. Armed Forces, including at a noon ceremony featuring a 44-foot Beach Haven Coast Guard lifeboat. Visitors can meet the "Coasties" who served on the boat and tour the boat with members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

A Coast Guard helicopter piloted by Coast Guard rescue swimmer Karen Vorhees will fly over the Seaport. Tim Dring, President of the US Lifesaving Service Heritage Association will discuss Seabright Skiffs, the original lifesaving boats.

Civil War re-enactors will portray Corporal Andrew Tomlin, one of two New Jersey Marines awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, and Sister Veronica of the USS Hospital ship Red Rover (1863-1865). This presentation includes revolver and rifle black powder demonstrations.

Visitors can also take a garvey ride on Tuckerton Creek. The rides are included with admission.

The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for adults is $8, $6 for seniors, children five through 12 is $5. Children five and under and Seaport members are free.