"The Boatnerd Picnic actually got its start around 1998. It was an outgrowth of the website, boatnerd.com. People thought it would be fun to meet some of these folks in the real world," said Know Your Ships author Roger LeLievre.
Boatnerds are a unique group of people who love the freighters. They chase them down and take videos and pictures of them and post them all over social media.
And for the 25th time, the boatnerds came together this past Thursday, the day before Engineers Day in Sault Ste. Marie. This year it was held at Sherman Park.
"The first picnic was held at Mission Point (Rotary Park in the Soo). Now it has graduated to Sherman Park due to its bigger parking lot, the larger bathrooms, and sheltered facility," LeLievre added.
Around 75 people attended the picnic, some as young as elementary school and some from as far away as Utah.
"We just wanted people to come out and meet other people and join this community," said Sam Hankinson.
Twelve years ago, Hankinson attended his first boatnerd picnic.
"The first time I came to a boatnerd event was in 2011. It's always been a 'come as you are' event. We have new people that stop by every year. It is all about connecting with new people. For me personally, I love connecting with the young people that are interested in the freighters," Hankinson added.
Hankinson currently is a Port Development Coordinator at the port in Monroe, Michigan.
"This is not just a hobby (being a boatnerd and chasing freighters), it connects us to the industry and we want to show people that there is that connection," Hankinson continued.
"It's all about the people we meet. The boats are great, but it's the people that are the core reason why we are here, plus the free food helps," LeLievre said.
"Friends that have become family," Hankinson concluded.
If you are interested in learning more about the boatnerd community, here is the link: https://boatnerd.com.
