PCLA Boat Parade

Join us on 21 June 2025 for our first annual Boat Parade!

This is a purely social event AND there will be prizes. And a Pot Luck.

What is a Boat Parade? You gather a crew, declare a theme, register your boat, and then decorate and show it off by parading around Pickerel Lake. The top three boats by points will be awarded $100, $50, and $25 prizes, and the winner will also get a trophy they can show off on their dock during the summer.

We will be bringing in local celebrities and other folks as judges who have no family connection to any of the contestants. Nominations welcome!

The Parade and Pot Luck will both start at 5pm at Oughton Park. Bring your voices to cheer on the Parade and a dish to pass for the Pot Luck. We’ll have a few grills, so bring a few extra hotdogs. Also please bring a few extra plates and utensils and napkins. We’ll have some garbage cans.

Once all the boats have passed the judges stand, we’ll need a few minutes to tally the results and then will announce the winner and hand out the prizes and winner’s trophy.

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 will review and discuss the merits of the tying entries and vote on the winner.

To participate: all vessels must register by June 20. Pick up your assigned entry number at Oughton Park between 3-4pm on June 21, and attach it to your boat so that it is visible from a distance.

To register, complete the form below and click the “Submit” button. If you have questions, include them in the “Message” section of the form.

Thanks to Barb Trudell, Laura Komperda, and Laure Haak for organizing the event.