The Lake Macquarie Classic Boatfest, traditionally held at Toronto Foreshore over the Easter long weekend, will now be held on February 20 and 21 at the same location to coincide with Lakefest.

Lakefest is a week-long celebration of the area's aquatic lifestyle and rich maritime history, and includes Paddlefest, Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto's Heaven Can Wait sailing regatta and the Variety Splash.

The committee has pared the event back to its roots - a classic boat display with boat-related exhibitions and the Quick 'n' Dirty boat building competition.

Lake Macquarie Classic Boat Association vice president Bill Coote said the association needed to take boatfest in a different direction.

Mr Coote said the association had a list of 300 potential "new and exciting" local boats to display in February.

About a month ago the Lake Macquarie Classic Boat Association underwent a shake-up.

The association had two sub-committees: the Classic Boatfest, which ran the annual event, and the Classic Boatshed, based at Rathmines.

With 40 members, the boatshed took control of association with plans to hold boatfest in February.

Three members of the Classic Boatfest sub-committee stayed on with the association, while the remaining five started Lakemac Heritage Festival Inc.

The festival committee will hold a new event - Lakemac Heritage Festival - on the Easter long weekend.

It will include the Sydney Heritage Fleet as well as live entertainment, vintage car displays, the Quick 'n' Dirty boat-building competition and children's activities.

Festival event manager Nicole Charlesworth said the festival would be a significant event with more than 60 boats - some from interstate - on display.

Ms Charlesworth said the community and commercial focus would be on water-related and heritage activities, which would provide a wonderful experience for people of all ages and significant economic opportunities for local businesses.