The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 27 June 1990 — Page 37

WAWASEE FLOTILLA —Wednesday, June 27,1990

The flotilla is a tradition

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? It’s been an annual tradition at Syracuse and this year’s Wawasee Flotilla parade will take to the water on July 1. The idea for the Wawasee

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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 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 Com-

merce 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 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

I LAVA AMERICA — St. Helens spoke up during the 1980 flotilla. This clever boat won second place in the residential division.

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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 club room 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-Wawasee 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. 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 the success of the 1974 parade, the event was officially reinstated as an annual festivity.

JMk MM R al R I LS—i. v z; t I Wawasee ■ I Flotilla I | Joly 1 I fIK FLOTILLA SUNDAY — Wawaseal reminds everyone who passes through Syracuse that the Wawasee Flotilla will be Sunday, July 1. The flotilla parade will begin at 1 p.m., sharp from the s old fish hatchery on Lake Wawasee and travel clockwise around the lake. Awards will be presented following the flotilla in front of the hatchery. Everyone is invited to participate in the flotilla as there is no theme this year. Each participating entry will receive a free sun visor.