Heartland Classics 2024 Hot Springs Classic on Lake Hamilton
April 19 and 20, 2024
with a pre-event on April 18th on Lake Ouachita
It’s the SPRING opener for boating season in the Heartland.
Lake Hamilton was surrounded by SPRING green in the hills, beautiful homes and landscaping on the shoreline, and sunshine on blue water just made for cruising.
So far … this post is announcing the dates for the 2024 Event.
Save the dates and come back for details.
In the meantime, enjoy the photos and reports from past Hot Springs Classics.
THANKS to the committee for planning the event and their generosity in hosting members and classic boats for this early spring kick-off to the 2023 Boating Season!
John & Marilyn Davenport were cruise masters of the whole event. MANY of the pictures posted here were taken by Marilyn.
Clay & Patty Thompson host everyone for the Saturday lunch cookout on their dock and boardwalk at their beautiful lakeshore home.
Deb & Mike Binns made arrangements for Friday evening’s dinner at Blitzed Pig, famous for their pizzas. Another fun time to visit.
Mike Langhorne is always the ultimate tour guide on Lake Hamilton, plus he’s the one who fills all of the goody bags with treats. 
A Pre-Event was held for cruising on Lake Ouachita. Mountain Harbor Lodge & Marina was the venue for Wednesday night and home port of all-day cruising on Thursday. Though cloudy, the rain held off until nighttime.
1961 Owens Sea Skiff owned by John & Marilyn Davenport
1984 Skiff Craft owned by John & Carolynn Thompson
2013 Contemporary Classic Chris Craft owned by Forrest & Kally Bryant
Lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf and dinner at Hot Springs’ The Porterhouse were the bookends of great cruising on Lake Hamilton where there was no rain and only light breezes. More boats, more people, more fun …
1953 Chris-Craft Riviera owned by Mike & Deb Binns
1940 Chris Craft Deluxe Utility 22 owned by Tim & Kathy Noonan
1958 Century Coronado owned by Kevin Hogan
1958 Cadillac Coronado owned by Roy Showalter with son Parker as passenger.
1988 Glastron CVS23 owned by Zack & Danielle Stafford with Dusty and Logan as passengers.
1981 Glastron Carlson C-512 owned by Logan Fure with dad Tony Fure as passenger.
* Here are links to past Hot Springs Classic events.
The Annual Spring Opener at Lake Hamilton, AR
The Hot Springs Classic is held in April each year to welcome boaters to the boating season. Event dates are determined by the calendar of the Easter holiday and when the Arkansas Derby Day is held.
In the past, this spring opener has included boating on Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and a pre-event in Little Rock, AR.
Arkansas offers even more for travelers when attending this event such as; Garvan Gardens, Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs Mountain, museums, historic gangster hangouts, and more.