By Taylor Colby

The North Florida Marine Association announced that the 78th Annual Jacksonville Boat Show will take place Jan. 23-25 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. The boat show first began in 1947 and has brought the boating community together ever since.

In the 1940s, Grace Rogers of Pier 17 Marine Shop displayed a few boats in a gas station parking lot on the west side. This led to a group of local businesses collaborating and organizing an exposition for local boat dealers. Some of the early venues for the boat show included the old Armory on Market Street, Jacksonville Naval Air Station, the Gator Bowl and Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. In 1990, the boat show relocated to the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Over the years, it gained popularity and a big following from the boating, fishing and watersports community.

The Jacksonville Boat Show includes three days of family-friendly activities and educational seminars as well as deals on hundreds of boats and thousands of boat accessories. There will be new models of all types of watercraft including fishing boats, cruisers, ski boats, pontoons, inflatables, personal watercraft and more.

On Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m., professional fishing guide and tournament angler, Tommy Derringer, will discuss the best techniques for artificial fishing lures specifically for Northeast Florida in a seminar. There will be a free kids fishing clinic on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. hosted by prominent local fishing personality, Donna Frantz. The first 100 kids will receive a rod-and-reel during this interactive and fun clinic. Also on Saturday, the first 100 visitors age 15 and younger to stop at the Jacksonville Sail and Power Squadron Booth will get a free life jacket.

The North Florida Marine Association’s purpose is to foster and promote safe boating, education and promote sales and services for displays of boats. The Prime Osborn Convention Center is located at 1000 Water St. in Jacksonville. The boat show hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 23; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25. Parking is $10 per automobile per day. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under and $12 for seniors, military and first responders with ID. To purchase tickets and learn more, go to https://www.boatjax.com.