Join us aboard the S.S. City of Milwaukee for our annual fundraiser, held in conjunction with the Anchors & Axles Car Show. This full-day event will feature classic cars, ship tours, a silent auction, maritime displays, a homemade lasagna luncheon, a guest speaker presentation, and the premiere of a new documentary on the S.S. Badger.

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All members of the organization and the public are invited to attend. Events will take place rain or shine.

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The day begins with the Anchors & Axles Car Show in our parking lot. Vehicle registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and is $10 per car. The show begins at 9:00 a.m., with public voting available throughout the day. Public entry and voting are free. Award plaques will be given to the top five entries, and dash plaques will be given to the first 40 entries. Car show registration and awards will take place on shore. Parking for the car show will be spread between the S.S. City of Milwaukee and Wander In properties.

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Our Silent Auction will be open on the car deck from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will feature a variety of nautical, historical, and local items. Maritime “show and tell” displays will also be on the car deck throughout the day. Guests are encouraged to bring interesting artifacts, photographs, or maritime items to share with the group. Items from our organization’s archives will also be on display.

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Tours of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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At 12:30 p.m., lunch will be served aboard the S.S. City of Milwaukee on the passenger deck. The luncheon will include homemade meat and cheese lasagna, garlic bread, salad, a cookie, and a choice of drink, made fresh by Ann Lind. Lunch tickets are $20 per person. Please RSVP online to save your plate! Payment will be handled in the Gift Shop on the day of the event.

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This year’s guest speaker will be author Richard Gebhart, assisted by car ferry expert Art Chavez. Mr. Gebhart’s presentation will focus on his new book, Frank E. Kirby, America’s Greatest Naval Architect. Kirby was a renowned marine engineer and naval architect whose work included the Straits ferries St. Ignace and Chief Wawatam, the river ferries Lansdowne and Pere Marquette 14, the lake ferries Shenango 1 & 2 and Ann Arbor No. 1, 2, & 5, as well as the passenger vessels of the D&C Navigation Company, the Detroit River excursion steamer Tashmoo, and the Bob-Lo steamers Ste. Claire and Columbia. The presentation will begin at 5:15 p.m. on the car deck.

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The evening will conclude with the premiere of Delay In Block Productions’ feature-length documentary, “Railroad on Water: The Legend of the S.S. Badger.” The film examines the history of the S.S. Badger and the broader role of railroad car ferries on the Great Lakes, following their development from the late 19th century through the decline of rail car ferry operations in 1990. The documentary includes rare archival footage, previously unseen builder’s material, and interviews with historians, former crew members, and others connected to the vessel. Director Drayton Blackgrove will be in attendance.

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The documentary premiere begins at 7:15 p.m. on the car deck. Runtime is approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes. Documentary tickets are $15 per person, and commemorative tickets will be given to all attendees. Seating will be limited. Please RSVP online to save your seat! Payment will be taken in the Gift Shop on the day of the event. Combo tickets for lunch and the documentary are available for $30.

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Rooms aboard the ship will be available for those who wish to stay overnight. Please contact us to arrange a room and payment.​​