There was surely a time when what occurred on Lake Tenkiller garnered only casual interest from most folks.
But now that Sequoyah County is receiving a 4% countywide lodging tax from visitors who stay in county accommodations, the county commissioners are particularly interested in attracting events to county lakes and the success of those events.
That’s why when Gena Woods (formerly McPhail), executive director for Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association, reported at the commissioners’ Monday meeting about the inaugural Heartland Classics Runabout antique boat show held Saturday, there was particular interest.
What started out as only five classic, vintage and retro boats participating, turned into a 36-boat flotilla by the time the weekend arrived.
Woods said some of the participants, and those who didn’t bring their RVs, stayed at The Blue Doors at Tenkiller, the nostalgic motor courtstyle motel billed as one of Gore’s best-kept secret.
“It ended up being really great,” Woods said. “They loved it. So they’re making it an annual event.”
Woods told the commissioners that during the boat show, she initially challenged the boats’ designation as antique. “Hey, that’s not an antique,” she recalled scrutinizing some of the participating watercraft.
Then she was humbled by the realization: “Oh, it’s because they were my age. That was a hard one to swallow.”
The Antique and Classic Boat Society classifies its boats as: • Historic — 1918 and older
• Antique — 1919 to 1942
• Classic — 1943 to 1975
• Late Classic — 1976 to 2000
• Contemporary — After 2000 Lake Tenkiller recently hosted the Bassmaster Junior Series and Strike King Bassmaster High School Series on March 30, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series May 31 to June 1 and Lowrance Bassmaster Elite June 12-15.
In 2026, the Bassmaster High School and Collegiate Championships, a major bass fishing competition that showcases top high school and college-level anglers, will be on Robert S. Kerr Reservoir at Cherokee Nation Sallisaw Creek State Park.
