WoodenBoat magazine is pleased to announce that People’s United Bank, headquartered in Bridgeport, CT, will sponsor Family BoatBuilding at the 20th Annual WoodenBoat Show, this weekend on June 24, 25 and 26, 2011.  The WoodenBoat Show is presented and produced by WoodenBoat Publications, and is hosted by Mystic Seaport.

Family BoatBuilding has been offered in several different forms as a boat show event over the past several years.  Most recently, 13 families completed boats in June 2010 at the 19th Annual WoodenBoat Show.  The sponsorship of People’s United Bank will allow for even greater family participation by covering some of the costs of the boat kits purchased by the families.  To participate, interested families contacted the kit builders and designers whose kits will be featured at the show.  The families supply basic tools, energy and enthusiasm for the three-day event.  Kits are opened at the show on Friday morning, and tools are put down around 3pm on Sunday, leaving a finished boat, some of which are launched at the show.

People’s United Bank is pleased to sponsor the Family Boatbuilding Event at the 20th Annual WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport,” said Mark Woods, First Vice President and Growth Manager for People’s United’s franchise in Southeastern Connecticut. “Our region’s history is tied directly to the water, and there is no better way for parents to teach their children about the importance seaports played in our history than through an interesting and challenging boatbuilding event.  We wish all who attend an enjoyable day.”

“This is a perfect opportunity for families to work together on a fun and satisfying project,” says Carl Cramer, publisher of WoodenBoat and founder of the Family BoatBuilding concept.   “Many of the participating families have never built a boat before, and they are surprised and pleased with their accomplishments under the expert instruction of the kit designers.”

At the 2011 WoodenBoat Show, more than 30 families are expected to build a variety of boats on the North Lawn of the Mystic Seaport grounds.

For more information please visit www.familyboatbuilding.com .  For information about the WoodenBoat Show, please visit www.thewoodenboatshow.com.  Show dates are June 24-26, 2011, 9am-5pm.