The Wooden Boat Festival in Madisonville this weekend, is not only an opportunity to get together with family and friends and have fun; it’s educational as well.

The display of over 120 wooden-hulled boats is expected to be bigger than ever, said Dr. Jay Martin, executive director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Marine Museum and Research Center, beneficiary of the festival.

Already, all berths are filled and this year there are several boats that will allow visitors aboard, said Martin. He said that many of the boat owners have adopted the festival as a type of homecoming, gathering every year to renew friendships. The festival also has a following of volunteers that donate their time and talents every year.

Jennifer Faucheaux shows the T-shirt she designed that will be available for sale at the festival this weekend. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

The festival benefits the museum, supporting operating funds and special projects. Exhibits, educational programs, the boat-building course and the restoration of the Tchefuncte Lighthouse have all benefited from the festival.

Martin said he hopes to have the lighthouse accessible to the public next year, possibly by boat. This would help not only the museum, but the local economy as well since the lighthouse is a favorite tourist location.

Other projects include underwater and terrestrial archaeological exploration around the lighthouse and in the surrounding area.

Eventually, Martin would like to see the keeper’s cottage returned to its original location. However, this poses many logistical and engineering problems. Not only would the cottage need to be placed on stilts, but also its restoration would need to be able to withstand floods and storms that may destroy it in the original location. It is preferable to leaving the cottage next to the museum, however. Martin said the cottage is a historical structure and its context would help recapture the golden age of the local community, when industry and steamboats ruled Madisonville and the river.

Other goals for next year include additional educational programs on such things as Remotely Operated Vehicles, oceanography, science and the technological uses of ROVs. “Students learn faster, better and easier when they have fun,” said Martin. “The success of the ROV camp this summer has shown there is a local interest in the subject.

The festival is fun and this year will provide an extended Children’s Village with free activities for the younger set. Many bands will provide live music for the first time, and the usual food and refreshments will be available.

The festival takes place this weekend on the riverfront in Madisonville. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Live bands will play until 10 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $8 in advance at all Capital One Bank locations, and $10 at the gate, $5 for seniors and children under 12 and the Children’s Village are free admission.