Historical Events

Events that enjoyed a long history in Weir Beach, but that are no longer being held, or have relocated elsewhere, include boat carnivals and exhibitions; boat races of all types – steamboats, wooden inboard-engine speedboats, fiberglass outboard-engine speedboats, hydroplanes, and most recently, massive offshore power boats, which raced down the Broads of Lake Winnipesaukee in the 1990s; sailboat regattas; water skiing races and exhibitions; helicopter rescue demonstrations; parachute jumping exhibitions, and beauty pageants.

The recent absence of boating events from Weirs Bay is very likely due to its increasing congestion. In 1939 there were only 1681 boats registered on the entire Lake, in 1948, 2496 boats, and in 1955, 3753 boats. By 1979 there were more than 15,000 boats, according to one study. In 2003, there were 100,835 boats registered statewide. It would be safe to assume that today, there are at least 50,000 boats on Lake Winnipesaukee!

Here are some other events that have had their own webpages on WeirsBeach.com, but have recently gone defunct. The last year the event was held is in parentheses:

Timberland Triathalon (Ironman 70.3 Timberman) (2022)
Soul Fest (2022)
City on the Lakes Triathlon (2018)
The Tough Mudder (2018)
Smokin Stangs Mustang Rally (2014)
Lake Winnipesaukee Relay Race (2014)
Lakefest Raft-a-Palooza (2014)
Granite State Autorama (2012)
White Mountains Track Car Meet (2012)
The Bass Federation Eastern Division (2008)
Montreal-Boston Tour (2007)
Quilts at the Weirs (2005)

It is interesting to speculate whether these events will ever return in the future. There may be newer events many years from now that cannot even be imagined today.