Photos from last year’s July 4th Great American Parade and Raft Race!

It was a spectacular day at the Parade, Great American Raft Race, and the fireworks show as well here in this little City of Lake Worth.

If this annual event is new or maybe confusing to you, please note there is a major controversy every year because of Rule #1: There are no rules. Except for Rule #2. The controversy last year was how did five (5) rafts make it into the final heat when it was supposed to be the winner and 2nd place finisher of Heat #1 and Heat #2? Two plus two equals four!

The official line from race organizers is it was a “clerical error” and didn’t affect the outcome in any way: the Parrot Cove raft (see photo below) was the big winner in 2017. Congratulations!

Every year at the first scheduled City Commission meeting following the Raft Race will come the official updates, confirmation of trophies awarded, poking fun at losers like Mango Grove and the transfer of bragging rights by NAPC President Jon Faust. Don’t be surprised to see a protest of some sort on the steps of City Hall by the South Palm Park Neighborhood Assoc. They just like to protest in general.

South Palm Park did have a valid dispute with one of the trophies handed out last year, but of course that dispute was duly noted and then summarily dismissed per Raft Race Rule #1 and Rule #2. Maybe their case would have had merit if their raft actually floated during the race.

Click on images to enlarge from the
Raft Race Parade in 2017:

Along the parade route on Lake Ave. to Bryant Park.

Pre-race festivities. . .

Lots of very happy and excited Raft Race
Parade participants.

On ‘J’ St. getting prepared to parade down Lake Ave.

First in line: the “Mad Hatter” entry.

At the Bryant Park boat ramp. . .

Little did we know this raft would be the big winner. The result was challenged and quickly dismissed. Yes. Canadians are allowed to be rowers!

One of the colorfully adorned vehicles in the parade.

“V” for victory was the message from Shanon Materio and the Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Raft Race entry last year. Best of luck everyone this year!