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14.08.2006
Organised at HSK for the ninth time, the show has tripled the number of exhibits during its existence and overwhelmingly established itself as the nation's most important floating-boat show. It is also the country's most important event for exhibiting sailboats.
The land-based exhibition stands and equipment tents will display about 2000 square meters of marine-industry equipment and services. The number of exhibitors has grown to 138. In 2005, there were altogether 15441 visitors to the show.
In addition to boat and equipment displays, the show will feature many peripheral events. These include the already familiar displays by Helsinki Harbour Police, the Gulf of Finland division of the Finnish Coastguard, and the Finnish Lifeboat Association. The Finnish Boating Association will organise its traditional sailing school for children. For the sixth time, the previously very well received test drives will again be organised by Kippari magazine. During the show the public will have an opportunity to test drive some of the motorboats on display.
On Saturday at 1200 and 1400 hours the show will feature a large and colourful samba procession when the Helsinki-based samba school Imperio do Papagaio complete with dancers and musicians arrives. The Imperio do Papagaio samba school is a frequent winner of the Finnish samba carnival championships and, indeed, has also won the Helsinki samba carnival championship this year.
The Helsinki Boat-Afloat Show can easily be reached by public transport (City buses 65A, 66A and, during the rush hour, 21V). However, parking space is available. On Saturday, there is free bus service available, departing at 20-minute intervals and on Sunday at half-hour intervals from the front of the Kiasma Museum of Modern Art in the centre of Helsinki. At the weekend, and particularly on Saturday when the Helsinki City Marathon takes place (see separate bulletin for routing instructions), you are advised to leave your car in the Eliel car park at Helsinki's railway station square (Rautatientori) and take advantage of the free bus service to the boat show.
The show will be opened officially at 12.00 hours on Thursday 17.8 by Tor von Zweygbergk, the chairman of the Finnish Boating Industry Association .
The show catalogue complete with a list of boats and products can be accessed at www.finnboat.fi/uiva. Opening times are as follows: Thursday and Friday (17-18.08) from 12.00 to 20.00 hours, and on Saturday and Sunday (19-20.08) from 10.00 to 18.00 hours. Ticket sales will cease half an hour before the show closes. Entrance fees: adults EUR 10, children (7-16 yrs) EUR 2. Free admission for children under 7 when accompanied by their parents.
Show organiser: The Finnish Marine Industries Federation Finnboat ry
Käenkuja 8 A 47, 00500 Helsinki. Tel. +358 9 696 2160, fax +358 9 696 21 611
