Three hours before the Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 9, the Hessel community is busy with activity. Trailered boats are queued for launching, vendors and artists arrive with their goods, volunteers are everywhere, and experienced attendees stand by to watch the organized effort that begins what planners consider the largest show of its kind in the country.

Boats also begin to arrive from the docks around the Les Cheneaux area, cutting through the channels and bays to arrive at the Hessel Marina. They are directed to their show mooring sites by some of the 300 volunteers who have been planning the event since January.

"I love it just before the boat show opens," said event chair Barb Smith. "It's just the neatest thing."

Unfortunately, one of the registered boats will not be at the show, having sunk in heavy seas near Pentwater on the trip north. The crew was rescued. Pizzazz, a 65-foot 1966 Chris Craft from Saugatuck and owned by Tim and Tami Pearl, sank in heavy seas in Lake Michigan Tuesday, July 22.

A complete list of events can be found on pages 6 and 7.

Before the day is over, more than 7,000 visitors will walk the docks, viewing more than 100 polished wooden vessels and will stroll the grounds appreciating the work of 70 artists selling pottery, paintings, photographs, jewelry, sculpture, textiles, glass, wood carvings, and wooden furniture.

Volunteer work began last September, when the 2007 show was reviewed. Then, discussion focused on what could be done better in 2008. In January, committees are organized and by April meetings began with 20 committee heads. The committee leaders guide a number of volunteer groups responsible for handling boat launching and docking, and traffic flow of visitors.

On site work for the boat show begins a week before the event as the ground crew begins setting up tents and placing fencing. Two days before the show, a team of volunteers places signs to help guide visitors. As the show gets underway, volunteers who man the three gates take prominence.

After the show, the tear down crew clears the area, and is usually finished by about 8:30 p.m.

Volunteers are easily spotted throughout the show, wearing bright blue T-shirts labeled "crew."

Three boats are featured at this year's show, Lady A, Lenore V, and Music.

Lady A, last year's winner of both Best of Show and People's Choice, is an owner's launch. Now owned by Chuck Andrews, the boat was used to transport its early owner between an anchored yacht and the shore. Orchard Lake and Glen Lake serve as the vessel's home ports.

The 1948, Chris Craft doublecabin flybridge cruiser Lenore V has been under restoration work by the crew at E.J. Mertaugh Boatworks in Hessel since 2000. The vessel is owned by Andy McMillan, a fifthgeneration Marquette Island cottager.

Music is a three-month-old custom designed Grand Craft sport cruiser that captures the best features of classic wooden boats. The 34-foot vessel is owned by Coryell Island summer residents Julie and Howard Veneklasen.

Spectators will be able to cast a ballot for their favorite boat of the more than 100 registered for the show by entering the Jim Bohn People's Choice Award. A ballot is inserted inside each boat show program and must be submitted by 2 p.m.

The boat show begins with the Law-White Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7958 raising the American flag, and Katie Bowlby will sing the National Anthem. Music will play throughout the day, featuring performances by the Sault Swing Band and Barbara Taylor.

One of the founders of the Festival of Arts, Annegret Goehring, is the show's guest of honor. The art festival began in 1975, two years before the boat show began. Mrs. Goehring is being recognized for her contribution to the community as her early efforts have helped to draw hundreds of visitors to the area each summer.

The awards ceremony begins at 4 p.m. with 40 awards handed out for top boats, many chosen by 10 secret judges.

Following the ceremony, the boats are released one at a time and many parade in a circle before heading to their home docks.

Admission to the 31st Annual Les Cheneaux Island Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts at the Hessel marina is $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 to 18. Children younger than 12 will be admitted free.