LOMDA Fall In-Water Boat Show

If spring is for dreaming, fall is for deals. The Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association’s September showcase puts serious boat shopping right on the water where it matters most. Running Friday through Sunday, September 25-27 at Dog Days Bar & Grill, this end-of-season event draws dealers eager to move inventory before winter storage, which often translates to motivated pricing and negotiable terms for buyers who arrive with research done and financing pre-approved.

Walk the docks from 10 AM to 6 PM daily, stepping aboard pontoons, wakeboard boats, and luxury cruisers while lake water laps against hulls and autumn light turns Osage Beach’s bluffs golden. General admission costs $7, with free entry for kids under 12, and the relaxed September atmosphere makes this a more strategic shopping window than the busier spring show: fewer crowds, longer conversations with dealers, and a genuine sense that everyone’s ready to make a deal happen.

Families with older kids appreciate the mature vibe, couples find it romantic paired with a sunset cruise, and serious boaters treat it as their annual pilgrimage to compare every major brand in one afternoon. The weather typically delivers comfortable highs in the 70s with cooler evenings perfect for patio dining, though early fall can bring unpredictable rain. Dog Days’ covered walkways keep you browsing even if showers roll through.

Park in the main lot or arrive by water at the 19-mile marker slips, then plan to stay for dinner at Dog Days’ waterfront restaurant, where burgers, seafood, and cold drinks taste even better after a productive day of boat shopping. Lodging options abound near Osage Beach’s main channel. Browse Lake.com for rentals that let you wake up lakeside and spend the weekend exploring both the boat show and the Ozarks’ finest marinas, coves, and waterfront dining spots before the season winds down.