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Walker Bay Inflatable to be Raffled Off at the Providence Boat Show

11/22/2009

November, 2009, Providence, RI… Boaters can keep dreaming their holiday dreams when the Providence Boat Show opens this year on January 7, the first Thursday of the year, and continues through Sunday, January 10.  Exhibitors will be showing the latest ways to ring out the old when they bring in their new boats for 2010 at the first Winter boat show in New England.  One of the special features at the show will include a raffle of a new Walker Bay inflatable boat donated by Maritime Solutions of Portsmouth to benefit the scholarship fund of MY TURN, an organization that assists the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association in delivering education and training services to the States youth.   The boat will be at the Shows RIMTA Pavilion where raffle tickets may be purchased and the winning entry will be drawn on Sunday afternoon.  RIMTA will also be holding a series of demonstrations of marine activities -- engine repair, bottom painting and the like -- that are part of the industry in the State.  Tips helpful to boat owners will also be provided.  

The Providence Boat Show is Southern New Englands premier winter boat show and primarily presents exhibits of powerboats that appeal to the family cruising and fishing audiences, plus small sailing craft, personal watercraft and inflatables.  In addition, there are hundreds of exhibits that feature fresh and salt water fishing gear, technology, engines and electronics.  Seminars such as Charley Soares Live Lining for Trophy Stripers and Captain Bill Browns Blue Water -- Really Big Fish and others by Boatwise Marine Training will help people have more fun fishing and cruising.  And, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association will be offering career training guidance for students and current workers who might want to work in the marine trades, one of the mainstays of the Rhode Island economy.

Show Director, Nancy Piffard noted that The strength of the Providence Show is in power boats, especially those in the 8 to 40 size range that appeal to families and fishermen.  We also have a good representation of small sailing craft such as Lasers and Sunfish.  We expect the main floor of the show to be jam-packed this year because we have consolidated everything on one floor to make the Show a better experience for attendees.  Between the power boats and small sailing craft, then adding in dinghies and inflatables plus booths filled with equipment, electronics and the all-important service people such as financing, insurance, storage, refit, repairs and maintenance, the Show will be filling nearly 120,000 sq. feet of space with more than 200 exhibitors.

Ms. Piffard noted: The Providence Boat Show is, arguably, the most convenient show for people from eastern Connecticut, central and southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and, of course, Rhode Island…with easy access and indoor parking just off Rte 95 in downtown Providence. All in all, its a
lot better experience for the average boater than any other similar event in New England!

FREE CPR COURSE…Newport Exhibition Group, producers of the Show have selected the RI Chapter of the American Red Cross as its official charity and Show Director, Nancy Piffard noted that  We wanted to provide some financial help to an important charity and help our show attendee at the same time.  Thus, the Red Cross will be giving demonstrations of good First Aid practices at the show on Saturday and, in addition, they will be offering a free three-and-a-half hour CPR/Defibrillator Certification Training Course (a $45 value) at the Show that same day to the first 26 people who sign up on our web site.

KIDS PROGRAM…In addition, the Bassmaster Casting Kids program, a flip, pitch and cast teaching activity for kids of all ages, will be on-site both Saturday and Sunday.   According to Nancy Piffard, Show Director, Both kids and parents love this program and its part of what makes the Providence Show a family fun event!  Its sponsored by the Rhode Island B.A.S.S Federation Nation, a great group of people who take the time to teach and get kids excited about fishing.

The Providence Boat Show runs Thursday, January 7th from 4PM 9PM, Friday, January 8th from Noon to 9 PM, Saturday, January 9th from 10 AM to 9 PM and Sunday, January 10th from 10 AM to 5 PM.  Adult tickets at the door are $10.00 and children 12 and under are FREE with an adult.  Advance discount tickets are available on-line for only $8.00 so attendees save money as well as time by avoiding ticket lines!  Military personnel will receive half price tickets with a valid ID all four days of the Show.  For more information, call 401-846-1115 or go to www.providenceboatshow.com.