Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance: Boating in Style

If you have never taken a ride in a wooden boat, you truly have not experienced Old World Tahoe. It is a taste of luxurious times when pleasure crafts were constructed of gorgeous mahogany and decadent leather interiors. No matter the power and gusto of the engine, they seemed to glide with ease across Lake Tahoe, and still do to this day.

Today when locals and tourists think of "woodies" we rarely envision the wooden boats of Garwoods, Chris Craft and Riva. We are familiar with Garwoods Restaurant and the famous "Wet Woody®", Lake Tahoe's rum version of the popular margarita. Nonetheless, both are valuable pieces of Lake Tahoe tradition and local culture.

Regardless if you've had the pleasure of riding on the Thunderbird, or not, the Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance is your chance to view over 80 classic boats on display and in running for top prize. The Concours d'Elegance had meager beginnings in 1972 when a group of members from the Tahoe Yacht Club got together to share their passion for wooden boats. Today the event has grown into a key part of Lake Tahoe maritime preservation and education.

In addition to boat viewing, your 1-day or 2-day ticket access offers the opportunity for live music, food and beverage purchase, full-color souvenir and vendor booths worth browsing.