Keels & Wheels This Weekend!
Keels & Wheels 2008 – Photo courtesy Keels & Wheels Flickr Gallery
The term “Something for Everybody” best describes the huge Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance Benefiting Boys & Girls Harbor this weekend in Seabrook,Texas. The 2013 event, which is being held at the Lakewood Yacht Club, features both classic cars and exotics, European cars, and of course a wide selection of antique & classic boats – both wood and fiberglass classics.
Keels & Wheels 2008 – Photo courtesy Keels & Wheels Flickr Gallery
The always popular spring event south of Houston on Galveston Bay, promises to once again be a big hit with spectators, and the weatherman is forecasting sunny skys with temperatures in the high 70’s all weekend.
This year’s Keels & Wheels Grand Marshall is Indy 500 Champion Al Unser, Jr. which provides fans with a rare opportunity to meet the popular race car driver in person, during one of his scheduled autograph sessions. The antique & classic boating hobby is also well represented at this year’s show with folks from around the country on hand, so we are hoping to get a few Live-ish updates from the show, which we will share with you during the weekend as they (if they) come in via the wireless.
Fellow Woody Boater and long time Keels & Wheels supporter Ellery Andrew should also be on hand at the show this year, and always has his camera handy, so Ellery – if you see this “Send us some of your great photos”…
Keels & Wheels 2012 – Photo courtesy Keels & Wheels Flickr Gallery
The 2013 Keels & Wheels show is honoring “Stutz” as the Automobile Marque and “Blonde Decked” and “Yellow Jacket” boats.
Our friends at the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club will also have a tent set up at the show, so if you are in the area stop by for a visit.
Bob Fuller (Chairman), Paul Merryman (Co-Chairman) and Paul Dunphey (President) along with the entire Board of Directors and dedicated volunteers work hard throughout the each year to continue the legacy of the Keels & Wheels show, which benefits the Boys & Girls Harbor of Houston, celebrating more than 65 years of caring for kids.
Paul Merryman, Co-Chairman of Keels & Wheels during the 2012 event – Photo courtesy Keels & Wheels Flickr Gallery
The Mission of Boys & Girls Harbor is to provide healthy, comprehensive care for children and families in crisis. For children who are experiencing family hardship, neglect, abandonment or abuse, the Harbor provides a family environment in a home setting.
Through its programs, the Harbor strives to help children learn to overcome self-destructive patterns, break cycles of abuse, develop social skills, learn responsibility, and work towards becoming healthy, happy, and productive members of society. For more information you can go to http://www.boysandgirlsharbor.org/
Keels & Wheels 2012 – Photo courtesy Keels & Wheels Flickr Gallery
The Lakewood Yacht Club serves as a wonderful venue for the Keels & Wheels event, bringing the collector cars and classic boats together at the docks. Perfect for both the spectators and participants.
Keels & Wheels 2012 – Photo courtesy Keels & Wheels Flickr Gallery
Keels & Wheels 2012 – Photo courtesy Keels & Wheels Flickr Gallery
Below, a shot of the “Lil’ Deuce Coupe” which won the Peoples Choice Award at the 2012 Keels and Wheels Concours d’Elegance.
Keels & Wheels 2012 – Photo courtesy Keels & Wheels Flickr Gallery
Among the many fellow Woody Boaters at this year’s show, Don Hardy from McCall Boat Works in McCall, Idaho made the trip all the way down to Texas from southern Idaho. Don is delivering a freshly restored 1949 Chris-Craft Special Runabout to his customer Lloyd Kirchner in Houston. The boat will be delivered to Lloyd’s lake house north of houston after the show.
While Don is in the Houston area, he decided to do some sight seeing which included a trip to the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center to get up close and personal with many exhibits and displays highlighting NASA’s rich history in the Houston area.
Then Don enjoyed a cruise out to Galveston Bay an board what he describes as a “Flawless” Van Dam Water Taxi named Bay Harbor. Life is good in Texas this week…
From the Keels & Wheels Concours d”Elegance Offical website:
Keels & Wheels established itself among the nations top concours events while in pursuit of multiple goals. The goals include raising significant funds for the charities the show supports, $1 million so far, while producing the best possible event that would draw participants and spectators from every corner of the country and even Europe. Side benefits have included an economic impact of over $3.5 million each year on the local community while simultaneously raising national awareness of Seabrook.
If you are in the Houston area or planning to be in the area, make plans to visit Seabrook, Texas and stop by to check out this unique event. For more information including show shedules, etc you can go directly to their website by Clicking Here.
And stay tuned over the weekend for further updates.
Texx
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Last time I was there they had some really “Over the top” classic cars. Quite an event.
I bet if I strapped a Saturn V rocket to my boat, I could beat Miss America IX and Miss Canada IV!
only two things come from Texas…keels and wheels . and I don’t see any wheels on your boat.
And awsome BBQ!!
Mesquite smoked beef brisket. Mmmmmmmmmmm.
Some good blues from Texas as well. Goes perfect with the BBQ.
Texx, great preview of the event. Wish I was there.
Paul Harrison will be there serving as an Honorary Judge and representing the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club as well as the Antique & Classic Boat Society, being a Director in both organizations.
Be sure to visit the CCABC tent and visit with Paul, Director Gerry VandeVusse, and our Ambassidors. We’re celebrating our 40th year this year.
I hope someone from Bay Harbor (Michigan) is paying attention.
Having attended the Bay Harbor event the past two years, I see Keels and Wheels as the benchmark.
Bay Harbor management should have people attend this show and learn what makes it tick so well.
Careful what you call it though. The event name “Keels and Wheels” is a registered trademark, exclusive for this event, so I hear from the folks in Muskatine, Iowa.
Everything’s bigger in Texas. Seems to be a larger contingent of wheels which may put participation to such high levels not to mention the additional registration revenue from which to draw. Saw “My Classic Car”s coverage of last years show a while back and, of course, their main coverage was the car, but they did pan across the boats and took a ride in in Century hardtop.