The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 June 1989 — Page 48
WAWASEE FLOTILLA —Wednesday, June 28,1989
20
Flotilla moved from Father's Day to Fourth of July weekend in 1974
By MARY JANE LORTON Staff Writer Summertime was made for those who love parades as there are parades for every holiday and festival around. But how many parades are on the water 0 It's been an annual tradition at
| y 11 T ! H FTTTTTTTTTTYTY SCREEN TV ffi E I Speci °'~n* in SALE f $ 1,9951. I I—l - J E Camcorders fr With Case jr Quasar. SBS $ 1,03 5 B I AiriheTatest | ;• Movie Releases ■[ K« ■J VCR's Featuring 2 Head, In Stock D" 3 Head, 4 Head And Largest Selection In D" 3 5 Head Models E 1 s,^ S A t *299” FREE MEMBERSHIP E i* < - Open 7 Days A Week *4 /I ~ All (K) Kids'Movies SI .00 L j 04q|/y |/V/W Jack A. L.wall.n (Owner, f I 9 Across From Hoofc < Drugs Parking Lot Next To The Dairy Queen 1 VIDEO 457 5322 E ■ Use Our Convenient Night Deposit
RINKER BOAT COMPANY A Running Family Tradition The Rinker family has been building runabouts for over 40 years with a continuous commitment to quality and value. A loaded list of standard features; roomy deep interiors; and sporty design give you good value in great looking boats with performance to match. Whether you’re a beginner or veteran boater, you’ll appreciate the versatility and easy handling of Rinker boats — Rinker Boat Company, Inc. each built to meet U.S. Coast Guard 207 Chicago street e , byracuse, Indiana 46567 specifications. 219/4575731
Syracuse and this year s Wawasee Flotilla parade will take to the water on July 2. The idea for the Wawasee Flotilla parade originated after drownings on Lake Wawasee in 1957. 1958 and 1959. In an effort to offset the June tragedies, a Father's Day Flotilla was started
FLOATS
in 1961. (The last two drownings in the series of three occurred on Father's Day.) The project was undertaken by the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce with the six original members of the flotilla committee being: Tom Socks. Earl Money. Short McCormick, Dale Butt, Clem Lisor and Tiny Sole. More than 75 entries, all built on pontoon boats, made up this first parade which was led by Lt.
Governor Richard Ristine, honorary commodore. Passengers in the commodore's boat also included Eli Lilly and Dale Butt. The first 27-mile journey was reported to have endured three hours and to be witnessed by over 25,000 people according to an account in The Milford Mail. The success of the flotilla prompted its becoming an annual event, taking place on Father's Day. which would mark the opening of the vacation season at Syracuse and Wawasee Lakes. In 1970. the newly organized chapter of the Jaycees decided to take over sponsorship of the flotilla. However, because of a fire that destroyed both the clubroom of the Jaycees. and consequently all flotilla records, the future for the flotilla looked grim. But even after the Jaycees disbanded as a result of the fire. Steve Butt saw to it that the flotilla went on anyway. However, there was no flotilla in 1972 and 1973. Interest had begun to dwindle at this time and fewer and fewer boats participated in the parade. Part of the reason for this lack of interest was due to the bad weather. When Ted Rogers joined the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. he told the chamber that one of the projects they should take on was reviving the flotilla parade. The chamber appointed Rogers chairman and he formed a committee to help with the preparations for the 1974 parade. At this time. Rogers decided that more community involvement was needed if the parade was to be a success, so he encouraged members of the Lakeland area to join his planning committee. With Rogers at the helm, the committee decided to move the date of the parade from Father's Day to July 4 in order to better guarantee nice weather. Due to
Flotilla Road Race set for July I
The 12th annual Flotilla Road Race will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. July 1. at Lakeside Park in Syracuse as part of the festivities for the 1989 Wawasee Flotilla. Pre-race registration will begin
the success of the 1974 parade, the event was officially reinstated as an annual festivity. This year's committee expects over 50 entries. Unlike the first year, not all entries will be built on pontoons. But like the first parade, this year's flotilla promises an opportunity for fun for businesses, organizations, families and individuals from all over the Lakeland area. This year's parade has been slated for Sunday. July 2. at 1 p.m. There will be no theme, again this year, for the parade. Committee members have found this "open theme" or no theme works best. In years past, giving the parade a theme only dissuaded many from participating because they could not come up with an idea to match the theme. Those interested in entering the parade need only show up in front of the Fish Hatchery Park at the southeast end of Lake Wawasee at 12:30 p.m. There is no advanced registration for the event. The parade will begin following a balloon release at 1 p.m. sharp. It will travel completely around the lake in a clockwise direction. An awards ceremony will follow the parade, with medals awarded to each participant. First place winners will receive gold medals and second place winners will receive silver medals. Everyone else will receive a bronze medal The overall winner will receive the Commodore's Cup. and the special Earl Money Trophx will be awarded. Entries will be judged in five categories. The categories are: commercial, non-profit organizations. residential, youth and antique-classic boats.. Prerequisites for entering the parade are that the entry be seaworthy and capable of maintaining at least 10 miles per hour. Once again the parade promises tb be fun for both the spectator and the participant.
at 7 a m. in the park. The race, sponsored by the Syracuse-Wawasee Retail Merchants Association, will include an eight-mile run. a 3.3-mile run and a 3.3-mile fun walk for runners and walkers of all ages. The race will include 11 age groups for both men and women, with entrants divided into the following categories: 12 and under, 13-15. 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. The first 300 entrants for the race will receive a customdesigned race T-shirt upon payment of their entry fee. The awards for race participants will include a trophy to the first man and woman finisher in each of the eight-mile and 3.3-mile runs as well as medals to the top three finishers in various age groups. The top five competitors in the fun walk will also receive awards and all registered runners will be eligible for prizes that will be .given away in a random drawing. The 3.3-mile race also includes a corporate challenge, where four employees of a company or business can form a race team if their ages total 120 years or m6re. The times of the four team members will be totaled, with awards given to the top teams. Persons interested in participating in the Flotilla Road Race should contact Tony Clouse at 457-5163 for more details.