An array of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, bateaus, dinghies and other people-powered boats will be on display next month in Marine on St. Croix.

The fourth annual Canoe & Paddle Crafts Show will be 5-8 p.m. July 9 at Burris Park in Marine on St. Croix. More than 40 boats will be on display, some historic, some created by legendary canoe craftsmen.

“With our local collection of storied paddle craft, it’s pretty easy lifting to host a boat show like this,” said Kevin Nyenhuis, one of the organizers of the event.

Co-organizer Bill Simpson “has paddled more water than most and knows the stories and history of so many canoe builders and boat designs, so this was an event waiting to happen,” Nyenhuis said. “The park will be a living history lesson of paddle craft.”

The event, which is free and open to the public, will include a paddle-making demonstration, music and a spoken-word program.

Speakers include author Angie Hong, who will read from her new book, “Exploring the St. Croix Valley”, a comprehensive guide to the St. Croix Riverway and its 8,000-square-mile watershed. Officials from Wild Rivers Conservancy, Wilderness Inquiry and the Marine Mills Folk School also will be on hand.

Marine on St. Croix has a public St. Croix River canoe access, so attendees are encouraged to “bring a canoe for a paddle on the river,” Nyenhuis said. Attendees also are invited to bring a picnic dinner. The Brookside Bar and Grill will have a special carry-out menu.

For more information, e-mail Curt Moe at moe.curt@gmail.com.

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