MARCH 24, 2022
THE LAKE TAHOE CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE RETURNS TO THE DOCKS THIS AUGUST
It’s been three years since this unrivaled exhibition of boating and maritime tradition has been held on the water. The return of Concours‘ in-person showcase celebrates “Chris-Craft – 100th Anniversary.” The Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company (founded in 1884) began producing their Chris-Craft line of production runabouts in 1922 and by 1929 formally changed the company name to Chris-Craft. The first models built beginning in 1922 are known as the Roman Numeral boats, as that is how their serial numbers were stamped into the hulls at first. Chris-Craft soon became the most recognized name in recreational motor boating, and was the largest producer of pleasure boats until the late 1960s. Most of the boats shown today at vintage boat shows across the United States are Chris-Craft’s for this reason. From the earliest runabouts, utilities, commuters cruisers – to the fiberglass ski and jet boats in the 1970s – the Concours will be the premier event in the world to celebrate them all.
Over the past four and a half decades, the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance has become a benchmark of the wooden boat community, renowned all over the world for its quality of boat exhibits and high judging standards and practices. But it doesn’t rest on reputation. Concours consistently raises the bar to earn its title as North America’s premier wooden and classic boat show. Concours has created its own meticulous 100-point judging system and expanded its exhibitor showcase while consistently displaying the most well-preserved and restored wooden and classic fiberglass boats from around the country.
The Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance features unique and immersive maritime experiences including a highly exclusive intimate tour of exhibitor boats with Chief Judge, Terry Fiest, a private awards BBQ with boat exhibitors overlooking the docks, and the now iconic boating tradition – the Roar-Off under the Olson Bridge. Beyond the boats, guests can sip wines expertly picked from wineries across the Western United States, cool off with a handcrafted cocktail as they shop luxury brands and high-end boutiques, and listen to live jazz as they indulge in a meal catered by local chefs. Intimate social events surrounding the show further add to the elegant ambience of Concours.
As the charitable arm of the Tahoe Yacht Club, the Tahoe Yacht Club Foundation is funded almost exclusively from the proceeds of the Concours. The Foundation uses these funds to assist Lake Tahoe area non-profits whose focus is to preserve maritime history and enhance maritime skills. Take in the unsurpassed views of the mountains, forests, and renowned blue waters knowing your support of the Concours and your love of wooden boats is helping to preserve the environment and maritime history of the Lake Tahoe Basin.