Small Craft Festival: Boats, Beer & Buoys
Saturday, October 10, 2026
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Antique Boat Museum | Clayton, NY
Boats. Beer. Buoys. The Antique Boat Museum is bringing them all together for a fall day on the St. Lawrence River at the 2026 Small Craft Festival.
Grab your friends, throw on a sweater, and spend the day by the river. Take a sail, challenge your crew to boating trivia, try your hand at rowing or paddling, watch molten bronze being poured, grab a beer, and see just how competitive you can get over knowing the difference between port and starboard.
No boating experience is necessary. Whether you grew up on the water or have never stepped aboard a sailboat, Small Craft Festival is your chance to get outside, try something new, and experience the St. Lawrence River.
Experience History on the Water
Small Craft Festival is held during New York State’s Path Through History Weekend, when historic and cultural sites across the state bring New York’s past to life through hands-on experiences.
At ABM, that means experiencing recreational boating history firsthand. Row a skiff, sail the river, watch traditional craftsmanship in action, and discover the small craft that have shaped life on the St. Lawrence River for generations.
Canoes, skiffs, sailboats, and other small watercraft have long connected people and communities while providing transportation, recreation, and a way to experience the river. Small Craft Festival celebrates that history by putting boats back where they belong: on the water.
Festival Activities
Activities planned so far include:
- Hands-On Boating: Sail, row, or paddle a variety of historic small craft on the St. Lawrence River.
- Bronze Casting Demonstrations: Watch traditional craftsmanship come to life and learn how bronze hardware has been created for boats.
- Trivia Contest: Think you know boats? Test your knowledge of small craft, recreational boating, and life on the water.
- Kids Activities: Younger visitors can try knot tying and other hands-on activities.
- Museum Exhibits: Explore the boats, objects, photographs, and stories that preserve generations of recreational boating history.
- Beer: Grab a beer, enjoy the waterfront, and make an afternoon of it.
- And That’s Not All: More activities are in the works, so stay tuned as we add even more to the day.
Admission
Adults: $15
Children 6 & Under: Free
Discounted admission is available for seniors and military personnel.
Come for the boats. Stay for the beer and trivia. And whatever you do, don’t leave without going for a sail.
