The 11th annual National Houseboat Expo kicks off this Friday in Louisville, Ky., but setting up for the show starts as early as today. Manufacturers began rolling in its houseboats this morning for the 2009 Expo that will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

"Getting the houseboats in place is the first step in setting up the show," says Houseboat Expo Manager Greg Larsen. "The show really begins to take shape once the houseboats are lined up."

Exhibitors will be busy the next few days getting the houseboats ready, while vendors set up as well. On Friday, February 20 the doors will open and the show will officially begin at 2 pm when the houseboat horns signal the opening and the show will go until 9 pm.

Show hours on Saturday are from 10 am to 7 pm and someone in attendance will win a pontoon boat, valued at over $20K! The boat give-away will be announced following the Houseboater of the Year presentation and the Proud Crowd award that will begin at 4 pm that afternoon. Also on Saturday is the third annual competitive Cornhole tournament with the winning team walking away with $1000!

Sunday's show will begin at 11 am until 4 pm. Houseboat-specific seminars will be held on all three days, with the last presentations being held on Sunday afternoon.

For more information on this show, please visit www.houseboatexpo.com.