The Milwaukee Boat Show opens Friday with hundreds of boats and Twiggy the water skiing squirrel
The Milwaukee Boat Show starts Friday at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis with more than 300 boats on display and, of course, Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel.
Here's what to know about the annual event:
Electric outboards are gaining attention
The boat show doesn’t try to be all things to all people. Mostly, it’s a power-sports show with only a nod to paddleboards, kayaks and other silent sports. That means an emphasis on pontoons, runabouts, fishing boats, ski and wake boats and larger open-water cruisers.
Every year there are changes in hull designs, engines, interiors and electronics, said show manager Ben Nielsen.
"We're starting to see more electric outboards," he said.
Mercury Marine's Avator electric outboards will be on display. They're limited to around 15 horsepower but are more powerful than the numbers would suggest. The electrics have a lot of torque, meaning they get up to full power nearly instantly. Some of the demand for them has come from lakes and rivers where gasoline outboards have been banned for environmental reasons.
Restored boats add a taste of history
The Glacier Lakes Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society will have the best of their restorations at the show, and model-boat enthusiasts can check out a unique display from Wisconsin Scale Boats in the West Concourse of the Expo Center.
Twiggy the legendary water-skiing squirrel is back
Twiggy the legendary water-skiing squirrel will make appearances at the show next week, carrying on a tradition that began more than 40 years ago.
Over the years there have been at least 10 "Twiggies" that have put on shows in the U.S., Canada and Europe. The talented squirrels have also performed on national television and in movies.
The first Twiggy was an orphan adopted by Chuck and Lou Ann Best, from central Florida, after Hurricane David hit their home state in 1979. They named her "Twiggy" because she chewed the leaves off Lou Ann's house plants, leaving nothing but twigs.
Chuck taught Twiggy No. 1 to ski with a remote-controlled boat he had bought for his daughter's 6th birthday and found that he enjoyed playing with it more than she did.
Twiggy became famous after Florida newspapers did a story about her that went viral long before the internet. A boat company offered to sponsor a tour, and calls poured in from folks wanting to book the squirrel for shows.
Twiggy’s performance schedule is Wednesday and Thursday 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., Friday Jan. 26, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m., Sunday Jan. 28, noon and 3 p.m.
What are the schedule, hours and cost for the show?
The show, in the Expo Center at State Fair Park, opens Friday at noon. The hours this weekend are Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday the show is closed.
Wednesday and Thursday the hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday Jan. 26, it’s noon to 8 p.m., Saturday Jan. 27, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday Jan. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-14, free admission for children ages 5 and under. Parking is available at the building for $10 and can be purchased online.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The Milwaukee Boat Show is back at State Fair Park. What to know.
