Time flies. It's been 34 years since the first boat parade sailed the beautiful Portage Lakes honoring this nation's bicentennial celebration. Now, during the 233rd anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, the parade continues.
As I look back to those early days, I see much that has changed since that first parade. However, there are other observers who will tell you very little has changed. In the end, all that really matters is that the boat parade, like the well established fireworks display, has become a constant. While it celebrates the birth of a free nation, it also commemorates the people who built that nation. A country that, over those 233 years, has become a world leader in democracy.
While yesteryears' parades had themes to which skippers and crew would decorate their vessels, today's parades seem to run the gamut. In the mid 1980s, boats would follow such themes as Storybook Land, sports themes or a western cowboy theme. The past few years themes were replaced with pot-pourri. In other words, however you decide to decorate your boat, that was fine with the judges. And there's nothing wrong with that. In theory, it was designed to encourage more boaters to register and enter their vessels.
T-shirts were once given to every person on the boat. This also became an incentive for more boats to enter. Today, a package of T-shirts is presented to each boat skipper who has registered and entered the parade, regardless of how big his crew is. The advertising alone hardly covers the cost of printing. Consequently, presenting a T-shirt to every crew member has become costly. That's why the parade committee sells them to whoever wants one after the parade. From my experience in running nine of the first 13 boat parades, I can assure you with confidence that this helps alleviate the cost of producing the boat parade.
Back in the early days, plaques and trophies were awarded to the winners. Usually there were seven or eight categories with a first, second, third and honorable mention going to each. This was in addition to the revolving trophy that went to the Best of Parade.
Today, money is the draw. That in itself should act as a very good incentive for skippers to register and enter the parade. After all, in today's economy, who couldn't use an extra grand or so? Money, totaling $1,750, has been set aside as cash prizes to be awarded to first, second and third place winners. The first prize is $1,000 smackerinos. Five hundred dollars await the second place winner, $250 goes to third place and the Tommy Leighton award is presented to an honorable mention participant. All that's needed is a little imagination and some time invested in your boat.
Surprise the judges. Make them take a second look at your vessel before making that final decision. As a matter of fact, make them WANT to take a second look. Believe me, folks, the judges are always looking for something unusual; something that sends them a message; something that tells them you worked hard decorating your boat.
Those judges are no different than you or me. They still put their pants on one leg at a time. They still view the boat parade just like all the rest of us; with a sense of awe and admiration for all those who took the time to decorate and enter their vessels. So don't let them intimidate you when your boat passes the judges stand at Larry Moore's home in the Iron Channel (that's Lover's Lane for all you purists).
Serving as judges for this year's boat parade will be former Summit County Sheriff and retired United States Marshall Dave Troutman of Coventry Township; officially, the unofficial mayor of the Portage Lakes and himself the parade's Grand Marshal, Bill Allen of Green; and long time insurance agent, whose agency is on W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road in New Franklin, George Ayers.
Don't forget the sand castle building contest at the Portage Lakes State Park beach on Turkeyfoot Lake. The beach is assessable by car off Manchester Road south of route 619. Call the state park office for details.
Ending our unique way of celebrating the Fourth is the annual, gigantic firework display.
Launched off of Mason's Point, the rockets soar high in the sky over thousands of boats watching in Turkeyfoot Lake. Thousands more crowd the shore lined lawns of waterfront homes, ooohing and aaahing with each bombardment. Don't forget your radios. Radio Rock, 106.9 on the FM dial, the sister station to Akron's WKDD, will simulcast music to the exploding rockets.
All in all, just as before, this year's extravaganza on Sunday, July fifth, promises to be another one that will dwell in your memory for years.
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