Whether it is a boat show, such as the Progressive Catawba Island Boat Show on April 29-May 1, or a show of boats on a sunny summer day, Lake Erie’s spacious waters and ample safe water dockage is a boater’s paradise. (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

It’s staged as an in-water boat show.

Others say it’s more like a festival that opens Ohio’s new boating season. Either way, everyone anticipates the Progressive Catawba Island Boat Show will be an exciting event for lake lovers when it drops anchor on Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1.

Surrounded by a fleet of power and sailboats raging from simple one-man kayaks to plush motor yachts and over 50 accessory and service exhibits, this year’s new family features and lineup of live musical entertainment will elevate this annual spring boating celebration.

Show hours will be: Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Sunday,10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the gate, $8 for online advance purchase. All parking and shuttles are free.

Daily live entertainment on the Progressive Main Stage will kick off on

Friday with the charismatic Rick DeWit. On Saturday, the popular Island Doctor returns to the show stage, followed by the soulful sounds of Taylor Lamborn on Sunday.

Also new this year will be the Firelands Auto Group “All-Family Patio.” When visitors get tired of climbing on boats, they can head for this kick-back area that will boast comfortable lounge seating, family games, even a fire pit with smores for all.

The show’s “Food Truck Rally” will feature hand-picked local vendors led by the return of the ever-popular Berardi’s truck. For its first time at the show, Put-in-Bay’s iconic Boardwalk Lobster Bisque truck is expected to draw lines of boaters to savor that flavor.

Another new feature is the “Paddle Pavilion” that will shine the spotlight on Ohio’s fast-growing paddle sports as part of the special On-The-Water-Ohio “Discovery Center.” In addition to the display of paddleboards and kayaks, expert Lake Erie kayak fisherman Chuck Earls will be on hand daily to talk about kayak rigging and fishing.

The Discovery Center will also feature a new “OTWO Marketplace” curated by Cuyahoga Collective. It will boast select local and regional crafters and Great Lakes vendors that will get you set for the upcoming summer!

For complete show schedules, and to purchase tickets, go to: catawbaislandboatshow.com.