PCLA Boat Parade

2025

Announcing the winners of our first (Annual) Boat Parade!

First Place: Jailhouse Rock - Laura and Marty Komperda and friends

Second Place: Something Patriotic - Lisa and Craig van Alstyne and family

Third Place: Eagles - Michelle and Drew Zelle and Pari and Mike Schilz (and a lot of Swedish Fish stuffed eggs)

Runners up: Aloha Prime (the Dallaire Family) and Aloha Too (the Conradt Family and Buddy the very large dog)

Thank you to our 2025 Judges!!

We bring in local celebrities and other folks as judges who have no family connection to any of the contestants.

Our 2025 judges were (left to right): Linda Ziegler, Town Clerk, Town of Townsend | Amy Ziegelbauer, AirBnB renter | Gigi Bartels, Realtor, Coldwell Banker | Grace Farrell, Summer Intern, Wheeler Lake Association.

Thanks to Barb Trudell, Laura Komperda, and Laure Haak for organizing the event; to Tim Moore and Marty Komperda for grillmastering; to the Shilz’ for the sound system; and to Drew and Michelle Zelle for additional logistical support. And to everyone for putting up with the murderous flies.

What is the PCLA Boat Parade?

It’s a purely social event with prizes. And a potluck. You gather a crew, declare a theme, register your boat (anything that floats! no motor required!), and then decorate and show it off by parading around Pickerel Lake. The top three boats by points are awarded $100, $50, and $25 prizes, and the winner is awarded a trophy to show off on their dock during the summer.

How does judging work?

We invite judges who are not lake residents. We set up a viewing stand at Oughton Park for the boats to parade past. Once all the boats have passed the stand, we take a few minutes to tally the results. Boats park near the dock for a group picture and distribution of prizes. We announce the winners and hand out the prizes and winner’s trophy from the dock.

The criteria are:

  • Execution of Theme: Is the theme easy to identify? How well does the entry portray the theme selected? Is the theme visible/apparent to spectators on shore?

  • Originality/Creativity: Does the entry impress the audience and judges with its overall creativity and uniqueness in appearance and presentation? Is there a design component that makes it special to our lakes?

  • Effort/Workmanship: Does the entry demonstrate a lot of thought, time, and effort in design, details, decorations, and difficulty of construction? Is the entry decorated on both sides?

  • Crew Spirit & Special Effects: Are the crew and passengers involved and enthusiastic in portraying the overall theme? Are costumes, animation, music, props, and acting employed to present the full scope of the theme? Is there color, movement, and sound?

  • Overall Effect/Execution in Presentation: How well does the entry present itself? Is the execution creative and eye-catching? How well does it entertain or involve the spectators? Is the overall presentation a real crowd-pleaser that appeals to all ages: theme, originality, effort, and appearance?

Points: 5 = Excellent! Very Impressive. 4= Pretty darn good! 3 = It’s okay. 2 pts. = Meh. 1 pt. = Look away!

The highest number of points determines standing. In case of a tie, judges review and discuss the merits of the tying entries and vote on the winner.

To participate: all vessels must declare a theme and register at least a day before the event. We’ll put up a new registration form on this page before the 2026 parade.