Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum

05/07/2026

There were so many moments that made the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show special — from the handcrafted boats lining Front Street and the docks, to the music, demonstrations, volunteers, and smiling faces in the rain. ⚓️

But we want to know from you:

What was your favorite part of the day?

Was it:
🛶 The incredible wooden boats
🎶 The live music and shanties
🪚 The demonstrations at the Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center
🍿 Visiting vendors and exhibits
👋 Seeing friends and community come together
🌧️ The “rain can’t stop Beaufort” spirit
❤️ Or something else entirely?

Share your favorite memory or photo in the comments below!

Thank you for helping make the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show such a memorable celebration of North Carolina’s maritime heritage.

Huge thank you to Tuppence featuring Simon Spalding & Sara Kirtland Spalding for creating such a fun atmosphere with their incredible tunes!

05/04/2026

It wasn’t the weather that made the day — it was the people.

From the moment the first boats lined Front Street to the last conversations along the docks, the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show was powered by something stronger than steady rain. It was powered by community.

To our volunteers — the early arrivals, the problem solvers, the ones who filled every gap and never asked for recognition — you are the heartbeat of this event.

To our sponsors — your support doesn’t just make this show possible, it elevates it. You help us honor craftsmanship, preserve tradition, and create something meaningful for everyone who walks these streets.

To our vendors and musicians — you brought energy, character, and life to every corner of the day.

To the boat owners — thank you for sharing your artistry, your time, and your stories. These boats aren’t just vessels… they’re living history.

To the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort staff and Friends team — this is what it looks like when mission meets momentum. Same harbor. Different roles. One shared purpose.

And to every single visitor who showed up — rain jackets, umbrellas, and all — thank you for proving that tradition still matters.

Despite a full day of rain, the streets were full, the docks were alive, and the spirit of this show never wavered.

And an especially heartfelt thank you to Grant Caraway, whose leadership carried this event from planning to ex*****on. The level of care, coordination, and commitment behind the scenes did not go unnoticed.

Fifty years of preserving maritime tradition — and it’s never felt stronger.

Do you spot yourself or someone you know? Tag them and let them know.

05/04/2026

05/02/2026

🏆 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show — Award Winners

The craftsmanship. The tradition. The pride.

Despite the rain, today we had the honor of recognizing some truly incredible wooden boats and the builders behind them. Each one tells a story — and each one keeps maritime heritage alive right here on our waterfront.

⚓ Congratulations to all of our 2026 award winners
⚓ And thank you to everyone who brought their boats, their passion, and their time to Beaufort

The boats may take home the awards … but it’s this community that makes the day.

👇 Drop a comment and tell us your favorite boat from the show

04/30/2026

🎶 Meet the Sound of the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show! ⚓

We’re thrilled to welcome Tuppence featuring Simon & Sara Spalding—bringing lively folk tunes, maritime music, and plenty of coastal charm to Beaufort’s waterfront!

And the best part? YOU can join in.

Our Shanty Jams are open to all—so warm up those voices and come sing along!

📅 Music Lineup:

Friday, May 1
🎤 Simon Spalding – Shanty Jam (all invited to join!)

Saturday, May 2
🎶 11 AM – 2 PM: Tuppence with Simon & Sara Spalding
🎤 2 – 4 PM: Shanty Jam (join Tuppence!)

🌦️ Rain or Shine — we’re on!

A little weather won’t stop 50 years of wooden boat tradition. Boats will line Front Street, music will fill the air, and the waterfront will be alive with craftsmanship, community, and coastal spirit.

⚓ Come for the boats.

🎶 Stay for the music.

💙 Leave with a story.

📍 Front St. Beaufort, Waterfront & Harvey W. Smith Watercraft Center

🔗 maritimefriends.org

👉 Tag your crew, share this post, and make a plan to join us!

04/29/2026

Rain or shine ... the 50th Wooden Boat Show is on. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can check out Tuppence with Simon & Sara Spalding, and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. all are invited to a Shanty Jam session.

04/26/2026

If you have not marked your calendars, be sure to add the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show to your must see list for May 2nd.

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort

04/17/2026

For 50 years, these boats have carried more than craftsmanship — they carry stories.

Stories of builders, of coastal tradition, and of a community that continues to show up and support what matters.

Join us in celebrating the 50th Annual Wooden Boat Show — on Front Street and along the Beaufort Town Docks.

📅 Saturday, May 2
📍 Downtown Beaufort
🔗 maritimefriends.org

04/08/2026

Hi 👋
We’re Susan and Danielle — and we’re honored to serve as part of the leadership behind the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

This video is just a quick hello… but it’s also an invitation.

An invitation to be part of something bigger:
⚓ Preserving our coastal heritage
⚓ Investing in future generations
⚓ Building community through shared experiences

However you choose to show up—member, sponsor, partner, or participant—you’re helping make it all possible.
And we’re so glad you’re here.