Does the word"baidarka" get you excited? How about "lapstrake"? This weekend's 11th annual Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Fest at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais is eagerly awaited by fans of traditional watercraft. From noon Friday through Sunday afternoon, the event will feature everything involving wooden boats, their makers and users and their history. Noted canoe historian John Jennings is the featured speaker.
You can sail on a traditional 50-foot lake schooner, the Hjordis; you can see the Wooden Boat Parade on the harbor and much more. Wooden boats will be on display all weekend. Even the music, food and dance associated with traditional waterfrontsocieties have their places in the festival. Go to www.northhouse.org for the full schedule of the annual hoedown. Some events require tickets, many are free. Call (218) 387-9762.
