Over 300 boats on display at Baltimore Boat Show

The winter months can be a bit long when it comes to family fun, especially when the days are filled with cold rain instead of fun-to-play-in and get-outside-in-snow. If you are looking for something to do this week that is fun, warm, and reminiscent of summer, head to the Progressive Insurance Baltimore Boat Show, which begins on Thursday, January 26, and continues through Sunday January 29 at the Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt Street on the S. Howard Street Side, and one block away from Camden Yards.

The show offers more than 300 boats, from luxury cruisers and water sport boats to pontoons and fishing boats, and everything needed to get on the water in time for summer. Just exploring, climbing all over boats and pretending to drive them will keep the kids occupied for hours.

This year, the Show has upped the ante with even more family fun activities.

The Junior Captains educational seminar, created by the Annapolis School of Seamanship, lets kids learn valuable first mate line handling skills such as tying a cleat hitch, throwing a line over a piling and becoming familiar with onboard safety and communication equipment like VHF radios.

The Paddle Pool allows the kids to get their feet wet and try out Paddleboarding. A special kids-only paddleboard Yoga class is offered as well.

Kids can also build and decorate their own toy boat and hook some virtual fish on the Progressive Flo Motion simulator. Ocean City's Captain Dale Lisi, star of the National Geographic series, Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, will be on hand, too.

Tickets are $14 for adults, and free for children 15 and under when accompanied by an adult, and can be purchased in advance online at www.BaltimoreBoatShow.com or at the box office during the show. Visit the website or call 410-224-7633 for more information and schedules of all the great activities available.

Do you have sports fan in your home? If so, do you know how easy it is to attend events at the Naval Academy? Winter is a great time to take the kids to some of the many sporting events taking place on and around the Yard, also known as the Naval Academy campus. From Hockey to Track and Field to Basketball and more, the Academy is brimming with activity and it is all open to the public.

This weekend, Men's Track and Field hosts the Navy Open Tournament, beginning Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Wesley Brown Field House, across from the sailing marina. From pole vaulting to long jumping, shot put to running, the event offers something for all ages to watch, learn and enjoy. Admission is free.

Also on Saturday, Men's Gymnastics hosts the Navy Open beginning at 2 p.m. in Macdonough Hall on the Yard.

Women's Tennis plays St. Bonaventure at 9 a.m. and Mount St. Mary's at 2 p.m. at the Hooper Brigade Sports Complex. The Complex is located across the Severn River on the Broadneck Peninsula, adjacent to the Naval Academy Golf Course.

Sunday features Men's and Women's Tennis, as well as Wrestling. Navy takes on Duke at 2 p.m. at Wesley Brown Field House. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids. On Wednesday, both Men and Women swim teams compete, beginning at 4 p.m.

Next weekend brings even more, with Men's Hockey games on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 at McMullen Arena at the Brigade Sports Complex. Admission is $10 for Adults, $5 for kids. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Do dress warmly.

The Men's basketball team also plays on Saturday, at 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids. The basketball games take place at Alumni Hall, on the Yard.

Vehicle access is restricted for games taking place on the Yard at Wesley Brown, Macdonough, and Alumni Hall. If you don't have access with a Department of Defense ID or a Sponsor family ID, you will need to either park outside of the USNA grounds and enter the Academy through the visitor's entrance located at Gate One, 52 King George St., or, for Basketball, Track and Field, or Wrestling, take the Shuttle from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

The Brigade Sports Complex, 64 Greenbury Point Road, where Tennis, Golf and Hockey are played, is located off the USNA grounds and does not require fans to go through a security checkpoint. Learn more, purchase tickets when needed, and find a complete Athletic schedule at http://www.navysports.com/. Hockey is a club sport and can be found at http://www.usnahockey.com/.

Make plans now to attend the Children's Theatre of Annapolis' production of Treasure Island, which opens Friday, Jan 27 and continues through February 5. A stunning yarn of piracy on the High Seas, this will be a show the whole family will enjoy. Admission is $15, with discounts for youth, senior, military and groups. Visit http://childrenstheatreofannapolis.com/ for more information and tickets.

Credit: By Jessica Pachler - Correspondent