Small ships come in at South Street Seaport model festival

By Jennifer Milne

The South Street Seaport Museum is holding its “Build a Boat” event on Aug. 4 and 5 as part of the 15th annual Ship and Boat Model Festival. Gene Carlucci, the museum’s manager of school and family programs, says it’s expected to be just as popular as it has in years past.

According to Carol Rauscher, the museum’s deputy executive director of development, the festival drew about 10,000 people over two days last year.

“If the weather’s good, we’re going to have a very good turnout,” Rauscher said.

On Sat., Aug. 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the museum launches the Ship and Model Boat Festival, where visitors can explore the historic ships at Pier 16 and families with children ages 4 to 12 can make a simple model boat. The event is free with admission to the museum, which is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors with ID, $4 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children under 5 and members.

On Sun., Aug. 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., boat enthusiasts age 12 and older are invited to the “Build a Bigger Boat” event at the Melville Gallery, 213 Water St. Master model builder Jack Putnam will teach model-making techniques, including how to handle small tools used in modeling. Participants will cut, paint, trim and piece together a small-scale version of a real boat. Reservations are required, and the cost is $40 for non-members and $35 for museum members. Call 212-748-8786 for reservations or download a registration form at www.southstreetseaportmusem.org.