Friends of the River San Bernard First Annual 4^th of July BOAT PARADE Sparkles the River Despite Rain

 

Patriotic spirit is alive and well on the lower San Bernard River, as shown by the turnout of boats and boaters, July 1. Although the weather dampened the fireworks display at River’s End the first annual 4^th of July Boat Parade, sponsored by Friends of the River San Bernard, displayed the kind of spirit America and the river dwellers can muster by making this boat parade the largest one on the San Bernard river in recent history.

A total of 30 boats entered the parade in overcast weather at about 5:00 p.m., July1 at the FM 2611 bridge. People living between the bridge at the start of the parade, to 2 J’s Restaurant lined the banks and docks along the river, waving flags and enjoying the patriotic sounds and displays of the boaters.

At 2 J’s Restaurant the boaters stopped and enjoyed the Awards banquet with hot dogs with all the trimmings! There, the parade goers were told that due to the rain, the fireworks that evening at the Point at River’s End had been postponed and the parade then ended at the restaurant. Special thanks go out to Mark Manley and friends for food and grounds preparation, to 2J’s restaurant for the use of their grounds and docks, to Tom and Peggy Davidson for their hospitality in offering their place for the after party, and to the judges and sponsors of the event for their help in making it a huge success.

Boaters plan to come together once again on Monday, July 3^rd (weather permitting) to attend the rescheduled fireworks display by the River’s End Volunteer Fire Dept.

Awards were given to the following boats:

 

For BEST THEME, Rick Gardner and Jana Plocheck with their Cheeseburger in Paradise;

 

 

For BEST SPIRIT, Darrell and Gloria Powell:

 

 

 For BEST SOUND, Susan and Wayne Stikeleather:

 

 

 For BEST INDIVIDUAL BOAT, Vanessa and Nelson Taylor:

  

 

 And last, but not least, for BEST OVERALL BOAT, Dennis and Tina Todd:

 

 

 Although only 5 boats received prizes, all the participants and the people who live on, use, or just love the San Bernard River were winners. In spite of the weather, the community sparkled on the water. This year’s parade was awe inspiring and very well received - but just wait until next year! Plans are already underway according to parade organizers,   Jana Plocheck and Vanessa Taylor, to make next year’s event even bigger and better.

Friends of the River San Bernard would like to thank all the people along the river who participated in the parade in any way. Your neighbors, your river and your country are proud of your involvement and the river’s linear community is better for it.