1999S&LPostShowReport.doc                         August 16, 1999

By David R. Williams 

      CONNECTICUT RIVER MUSEUM'S 2ND ANNUAL STEAM & LAUNCH SHOW

 POST SHOW REPORT 

Event took place on Saturday/Sunday, August 14/15 1999 ... on weekend immediately prior to Mystic Seaport's annual Antique Marine Engine Show.  (Many participants in CRM show went on to also participate in Mystic Show.
Weather was marginal to poor;  Humid, hot, showers, periods of heavy rain.  River tide was unfavorable to boat-exhibitor launching (dead low tide at Main Street ramp): 

 DAY                      LOW TIDE       HIGH TIDE       LOW TIDE       L/H DIFFERENCE

Sat - 8/14         8:00A                      1:30P                       8:30P                       3 feet

Sun - 8/15         8:45A                      2:15P                       9:15P                       3.5 feet

 NONETHELESS, THE SHOW APPEARED TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

 Approximately 50 targeted invitations were mailed.

 Twenty-six exhibitors responded, and most showed up despite the weather.

 The show was an interesting show and received much favorable commentary.

 Exhibits within the CRM Boat Shed included:

  - 45 working-model and full-size steam engines, most of which were operating throughout the show dates (on compressed air).

   -  3 large steam boat models (the 53" MOUNT WASHINGTON, the VIVIAN LOUISE steam launch, and the 1890 BOUCHER).

Launches at the CRM Floating Docks included:

- 5 steam launches (20' FIREFLY - S. Clogston, 25' OSPREY - CRM, 22' KATE - B. White, 23' WAHKEENA - G. Rietze,

 24' CHARLOTTE ANN - E. & C. Russell).

 - 2 gas launches (KEEPER - Mowry Mann, EXCELSIOR - David Williams).

 - 1 electric launch (23' ELCO - Elco Electric Launch Company)

Three launches did not show up due to the threat of storm.
 A parade of steaming launches and the gas and electric launches recieved good waterfront attention and applause on Sunday afternoon. 

CRM admitted 493 paying visitors over the two-day period.  This is approximatle three times the average weekend CRM ticket gate, and does not include the many non-pay CRM Members and show guests attending.

 Substantial favorable publicity for the CRM was achieved via postings (150 posters put up locally by CRM volunteers), a large sign at the route 153/154 entrance to Essex for the month prior, repetitive mentions in area press events columns, and additional press editorial coverage including New Haven and Hartford papers.
Approximately 50 minutes of video recording and more that 100 still color photos were made of the show, and can provide ample visual material for publicity efforts for future S&L shows. 

CRM's steam launch OSPREY was made fully operational just prior to the show by Barry White, George King III, helpers, and D.G. Fitton.

 Virtually all volunteers showed up on time, and did a great job of helping make the show a success, especially D.G. Fitton.  Ditto for museum staff, particularly Shannon Burk and Laura Kruszewski.

Connecticut River Museum's 3RD ANNUAL STEAM & LAUNCH SHOW will take place Sat/Sun August 5-6, 2000.