Okay to Bring a Baby to the U.S. Sailboat Show ?

[Auspicious]

There will definitely be shuttles from the Stadium. The parking garage between Main Street and Duke of G fills early with vendors at the Show so usually not worth bothering. There is a shuttle from the garage on West St.

I dinghy over from Back Creek.

[Kettlewell]

Most vendors will not mind at all, but I have heard one tell people with children they were not welcome onboard. Needless to say, I don't suspect he ended up selling any boats to families. Ditch the stroller--too cumbersome and dangerous on the docks. Someone will trip and fall over it if you don't. Be prepared for almost any weather. I have been there with snow flurries and when it was 95+ degrees, and when it rained the whole time. You will be outside most of the time on the docks, though you can duck into the vendor tents when it rains. There is a real bathroom in the harbormasters building just outside the main entrance, but it is crowded during the day. Watch your babies head when going in and out of boats. Have slip off shoes or sandals that are both easy to get off (for going on boats), yet secure on docks and decks.

[sarafina]

coupla thoughts... difference between a babe in arms, in a carrier and a little kids patrolling/rampaging around. Don't think anyone is going to object to the former, but the latter? yeah well... kids falling down companion ways, kids falling off decks, kids stuffing something into heads, kids spilling sticky stuff. kids sticky hands touching all that shiny pretty primped brightwork... annoyance at the least, liability at the worst.

Uh, yeah, given how inconsistent the parent population is, I might say no kids aboard too... The boats are often crowded with folks (who might be buyers) waiting patiently for the crowd to move on so they can have a look. Waiting because some parent can't be bothered to parent....

But I suspect the stroller, as others have said, is not a great idea. Maybe bring a little cable lock and lock the stroller up on the area before the entrance so you can have it before and after. Seems like there are always railings and poles around these things. Might be a big booth of a boat broker who is showing down on the dock who might allow you to chain up in a corner seeing as you will be looking at their boats... can't hurt ta ask ; -)

Depending on the crowds you *might* want it in the booth area, even if down by the boats is a bad idea.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

And too many people just let their little darlings run right up to you....it is kind of like trolling with canine bait.

Chief, LMFAO,

"any man who hates children and dogs, can't be all bad"--or something like that--W.C.Fields

[rgscpat]

Yes, the infant PFD is more than just a good idea.
Children under 13 in MD are required to wear a PFD on a vessel that is underway. The old age was under 7 but that changed this year. In all likelihood, the boats that are going out for rides wouldn't have any infant PFDs.

New MD Law Requires Children Under 13 To Wear PFD - Southern Maryland Fishing
and
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/bills/sb/sb0092t.pdf

Be safe and have fun out there!