Boat shows aid nonprofits, too

Walter Cronkite parked here.

Maybe Eastport Elementary School should get a plaque to commemorate one of the Annapolis boat shows' more memorable visitors. The school regularly turns one of its fields into an ad hoc parking lot for the boat show and one year the famed newsman ponied up his $20 to park.

Millions of dollars change hands at the United States Sailboat and Powerboat Shows - the 35th annual power extravaganza opened this morning and runs through Sunday - but not all of that dough is spent on the latest in boating gadgetry.

The financial forecast for this year's shows estimates the events will have a $51...