The waves of boating enthusiasts to attend the 11th Annual
Providence Boat Show – which concluded Sunday – enjoyed the biggest display
in the event’s history, as the show expanded from the Rhode Island Convention
Center to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center as well.
During the past 10 years, the show has been held in the 160,000-square-foot Rhode Island Convention Center and sold out show space nine of those years. For this year’s four-day event, the venue expanded into the adjoining Dunkin’ Donuts Center, resulting in an additional 80,000 square feet for a total of 240,000 square feet of sales space, affording a greater variety of boats and accessories.
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“We have 273 exhibitors and climbing,” said show manager George Hawkins last Wednesday, the day before the show’s start.
He anticipated the turnout to be between 30,000 to 35,000 people.
Hawkins said the larger space allowed sailboat dealers to show off their boats fully rigged with sails up.
“It’s amazing. There’s a boat on display with its 47-foot sail up,” he said.
Last year’s Providence Boat Show featured more than 125 brands of boats from
more than 60 dealers, along with 180 accessory vendors.
