Show Your Pride Lakeside for 6th Annual Boat Parade

Blast on the Bridge Boat Parade

Writer  /  Janet C. Striebel
Photographer  /  Alyssa Sander

The boat parade represents a time to show off your patriotic spirit. From decorating the boat’s exterior to choosing the music on the interior represents a suspenseful ride for the whole family. Whether the judges pick your boat to win a prize or not, one thing is for sure: preparing for this contest marks a 4th of July tradition that establishes exceptional family memories.

“It’s more about what the kids want to do with the boat-decorating than the adults,” says Kimberly Irish, founder and chair of Geist Boat Parade. She thought of this idea six years ago as she sat talking with Brian Hall, Geist Lake Coalition President, in his back yard. She adds, “What warms my heart is that this family event is the making of special memories.”

Each year, boats are decked out to satisfy a particular theme such as: Red, White & Blue, M*A*S*H, the ’70s, and Show Your Spirit for Your Favorite Team.

“Since Fourth of July falls on a Friday this year, the theme is Family Movie Night,” says Irish. “We may see boats decorated from movie titles such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Grease, or Spider Man.” Look for your favorite movie characters in the grand marshal boat as teens will dress up to celebrate this theme. She recalls how one year, the kids related to the M*A*S*H theme even though they were too young to know this show. “They managed to relate so well by choosing ‘Monster Mash’ as their music… I think it’s special that kids will remember this 4th of July tradition creating a legacy for the families at Geist Lake.”

Packet pick-ups will take place 6:00 p.m. at Eddy’s on Tuesday, July 1. The parade will start by the wooden bridge near Geist Road and Fall Creek at 6:15 p.m. The boat procession will head south to the dam and then head back to the Geist Marina Bridge where judges will choose the top three winners. Boats will not actually go underneath the bridge, so participants can feel free to build structures as high as they wish.

This year’s Grand Prize will include ownership of the traveling trophy that goes from winner to winner and $500 cash from Geist Marina. The second place prize will be a Bud Light wakeboard and Budweiser dartboard from T.A. Smith Distributing. The third place prize will be a $100 gas card from Geist Marina.

The boat parade spirit ricochets across the lake. Many residents decorate their yards in red, white and blue, displaying their patriotism. Irish encourages everyone to Show Your Pride Lakeside when she says, “Even if you can’t be a part of the boat parade, gather your family and friends and cheer us on as we pass by your home!” For more boating activities you can also check the Zeboats website.

Contact Kimberly Irish at 317-414-4729 or kirish05@gmail.com to learn more or to register for the boat parade.

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