Melissa Berkowitz came to the final day of the Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo at the Hagadone Marine Center on Saturday just for fun. 

She went home the winner of a pontoon boat valued at nearly $75,000. 

“I am still in shock,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to win.” 

But the Coeur d’Alene woman did and will have a 2024 Harris Cruiser 210 at her disposal for summer outings on the water. She already has plans for taking family and friends on Lake Coeur d’Alene. 

Berkowitz said she’s long been wanting a boat and now, has one. 

“This is our dream come true,” she said. 

About 2,000 people filled the Hagadone Marine Center for a chance to win the watercraft. Many enjoyed free beer and wine and admired the boats on display as they chatted with friends.  

When it was time, five names were called and each person came to the stage and received a key to a box. Whichever one opened it would be the winner. 

The first three didn’t turn the lock. Then it was Berkowitz's turn.

“My heart was racing,” Berkowitz said. “It was so much fun."

HMG also gave away a 2023 Barletta pontoon two years ago. The promotion was such a success they brought it back 

About 7,500 attended the Boat Expo that featured about 75 of the newest and best pontoons, runabouts and yachts as a preview to the summer season. 

To have a chance to win the Harris pontoon all you had to do was attend the free expo from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8. Every person 18 and older could put their name in the drawing. Many did, leading to record attendance and sales.

“The expo was fantastic,” said HMG President Craig Brosenne. “A lot of new boaters are going to be out on the lake.” 

“We're all about the boating experience, getting people out on the water and letting their families have a good time,” Brosenne said. 

The Hagadone Marine Group is considered a community pillar, so Brosenne said they want be both part of the boating community and give back through their many services and products.  

The boat giveaway puts a finishing flourish on the expo and brings a big crowd out for a good time.

"It's the biggest indoor summer party at the Hagadone Marine Center in the middle of winter,” Brosenne said.

Suzanne Berkowitz, Melissa’s mom, said they’ve been considering buying a boat and read about the Coeur d’Alene Boat Expo and the chance to win a pontoon boat in The Press. 

“We come in here and dream every once in a while,” she said. 

They attended the expo and put their names in for the drawing, which they only decided to attend Saturday morning. 

“We did not expect to win, especially with all these people,” Suzanne Berkowitz said.

Her daughter is looking forward to a summer on the lake with her new 2024 Harris Cruiser 210.

“I can’t wait to try it out,” she said. 

    A crowd watches and waits to see who would win a 2024 Harris pontoon boat at the Hagadone Marine Center on Saturday.
  

    Melissa Berkowitz sits in the 2024 Harris pontoon boat she won during a drawing at the Coeur d'Alene Boat Expo at the Hagadone Marine Center on Saturday.