Amidst a construction shuffle, America’s biggest sailboat show will look a little different this year. The City Dock Resilience and Revitalization Project is reshaping Annapolis’ historic waterfront, and with it the boat show venue.
Under way through 2027 and costing $100 million, the renovation aims to address persistent flooding issues while also replacing large paved areas with a green and inviting park. The design incorporates feedback from nearly 100 experts, residents, and local businesses affected by rising sea levels, with the intention of updating the area not just to solve the flooding problem, but to improve the space for the public to enjoy.
For the show’s part, this means change is on the horizon. Annapolis Boat Shows President Mary Ewenson has been working with the city to ensure that the show will go on, if in a slightly different configuration, throughout the construction.
“For years, Annapolis’ City Dock has flooded, causing huge issues for the businesses, residents, and the boat shows,” Ewenson says. “The new design includes an elevated park and a beautiful welcome center…The City and the construction team have worked with us to find new spaces to expand into, so we’re not losing any exhibit space or exhibitors. We’ve even found new gathering spaces for socializing, and we’ve got some great new tents. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s also going to be a lot of fun to have a new layout this fall.”
In 2026, the major construction impact will be to the north side of the basin (yellow on the above show map), where Tents A and B have been in years past. The show will instead extend out through more of Dock Street, Compromise Street, and the traffic circle (marked in orange). Some vendors previously in Tents A and B will move to C, which will be larger to accommodate them. Visitors on a mission to find a specific gear manufacturer should pick up a show map or ask a docent for help.
In addition to the layout changes, one other update is underway. Last year, show goers mourned the closing of Pussers, an iconic sailor bar that served as meeting place and event venue for 30 years. Pussers—which wasn’t ousted by the revitalization project but instead independently moved to a Baltimore location—has been taken over by the Atlas Group and will be replaced by two new restaurants scheduled to be open in time for this year’s show. Those missing Pussers should also note that there will be four bar areas on show grounds, including one in the newly reorganized Susan Campbell Park.
“While all sailors love the water, none of us love a flooded show,” Ewenson says. “We’re super excited about Annapolis’ project to raise the level of City Dock and replace the waterfront parking with a family-friendly park. When the project is finished, it’ll be a year-round attraction for residents and visitors to the City and a great stage for the greatest sailboat show in the world.”
This article was originally published in the October 2026 issue.
