Tips For The First Time Visit To Lake Dora Classic Boat Show!

I will start this out by saying that we here are no experts at anything. Each time we visit a place, we make mistakes and there are moments where we wonder why we are there. Food is always a crap shoot as well. Pun intended! The purpose of todays story is to let your fellow Woody Boaters  give there tips on the Lake Dora show help you out on your first trip. This will be our 6th or 7th show, I cant recall.  So here are some tips that may or may not be helpful.

Lodging,  No doubt you have already made your reservations, the Mission Inn is very nice and huge, but a short drive, so parking is part of the issue at the show. The Lakeside Inn in Mt Dora is very charming, but old bathrooms are a bit of a bummer it also requires a drive to the show, unless you want to go by boat. Thats always the best way to get to the show. There is a brand new hotel in Tavares at Wooten park. The Lake View Inn. Its new and right at the show. There is a new part opening this week, so there may be rooms. We are staying there this year. We normally stay in a private home on the lake, which is the ultimate way to go. but rentals are very hard to come by. So this year look around and book next year.

Food. Mt Dora has some very nice places to eat. Ya cant go wrong there in town. There are some new places in Tavares that are going to be tried this year, and the old stand by bars on Main street are always fun. The real fun is on the water  through the canals. Yes, going to eat by boat is the ticket. Ask around. I cant recall the name of the one fun resturant. Someone will comment that one.  I will also admit here that I am officially burned out of Chicken on a stick. This year I will most likely only have about 3 or 4 of them. Also, a tip. The party at Rejuvenation Boat Works is the the best food of the show and a very very cool place to be. Ask around. Great folks there.

Shopping: There is tons of shopping in MT Dora for her. For the fellas you might as well stick a needle in your eye. There are motors starting in Tavares and the smell of gas for gods sake. Stay close to the boats. Also the flea market is one of the best of the year. You will be happy to just shop there. Also everything is for sale. There are a ton, couple tons of boats bought and sold there. Bring money and ALWAYS have a trailer hitch available. Ya never know.

The Volunteers. This is hands down the nicest group of folks you will meet. Go up to any volunteer in yellow shirts and hug them. They are the folks that make it all happen. The area is loaded with nice folks that are very happy that we are there.

Boating. This is the number one tip. Get out on your boat and make trips. Go through the canals and have fun. Standing around at the show is great, but this show is all about having fun. Ask around, everyone is coming and going. Ask for rides. Saturday is the worst day for rides by the way since its the big show day. Thursday is the best day for rides.

Bring A Camera. The photos you take will come in handy next winter. Trust me!

When To Show Up. The party really starts Thursday. Shhh, that’s the best day for meeting pals, Its not the show, its the party. . Its fun, quiet and the flea market is ripe with deals. I always say Thursday is the rehearsal, Friday  Saturday is the wedding. We are there on Friday and Saturday for the folks coming to watch and look. Wed and Thursday are for us. As to the day of the show. You can show up very very early. Stuff may not be out yet. But no crowds and folks are available to talk. Also Miss America IX is usually tearing up the lake as a fun wake up call. We show up at day break. Best light of the day to photograph. By 6pm everyone is gone. Early is best.

I hope this has been helpful. Each year though, new and fun things happen, so read all the comments today . Hopefully the gang will give you some great tips.