Independence Day Boat Parade
Click on this link for video by Jim Owings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn5R53ioFvU
ALICE AND RALPH SOBEL
The 8th annual Lake Interlochen Independence Day Boat Parade featured floating fun and festivities for the largest crowd of spectators and participants. For the first time the parade route extended into the Old Channel, making the turn-around at the entrance of the West Channel.
Ken Simoneaux led the more than 20 boats of every size, kayaks and canoes throughout the meandering parade route without losing a single vessel in the wonderfully whacky merriment.
And the celebration continued well after the 7 p.m. parade ended, with homeowners and guests partying into the night. Most folks took advantage of the hospitality graciously provided in the adjoining Varela-Saliba-Watkins backyards. The Porto Bello spot was party central.
The boat parade first place winner was Yvonne and Roger Pendleton and their grandchildren Avery, Lillie and Grafton Owings. Their theme was “Mom, Apple Pie, and Baseball.”
Second place was awarded to Rose Marie and Ken Seipel. Their theme “Let Freedom Ring” featured their grandson Connor, who stood soldier straight, on guard with rifle in hand in the bow of the boat the entire length of the parade. His sister Rylie and his parents, Julie and Ryan Edwards, played the supporting cast.
“Lady Liberty” won third place. Jennifer Haskell in her Statue of Liberty costume stood proudly in her boat with husband Jim at the helm with friends Ann and Jim Dixon on board.
Mike Saliba, new director of the event, once-again served as emcee. The judges were two first-time visitors who took their volunteer role seriously. They viewed the parade from the judging stand at the Watkins gazebo, as well as from the Young’s backyard vantage point.
All agreed it was a memorable Independence Day in Interlochen.
FIRST PLACE – MOM, APPLE PIE AND BASEBALL
SECOND PLACE – LET FREEDOM RING
THIRD PLACE – LADY LIBERTY