The party started Friday night with the customary catfish dinner and pre-party at the Legion. We registered for the Poker Run, ate catfish, and listened to The Sultans for a while, then called it an early night; we made plans to meet with friends for breakfast and get the boat in the water early to beat the crowds.
The theme this year was "Let Freedom Ring" and so there were lots of boats decorated with a patriotic theme for the boat parade.
We arrived just in time for the National Anthem and the opening ceremonies. After a stop by the lounge for Bloody Marys, we were ready for the poker run!
Steve is enjoying his Jell-O shot from one of the stops.
The poker run is lots of fun and we were thankful that it wasn't windy because it's so much easier to ease up to the docks to pick up your cards! The various stops offer water, margaritas, beer, jello shots, and vodka gummy bears.
We didn't win the poker run -- we were in second place for a bit, but that didn't hold up very long. We tied up to the Legion pier while we waited for the results:
We watched the boats...
...and the dogs...
...a stowaway chameleon...
...and the people:
I liked this dog...
It took little coaxing...
... but he would get into the water to get his ball:
More from the boat parade:
This boat was cool:
This guy was having fun:
And there were the floaters:
People dancing and partying on boats:
And boats all tied together:
My kind of houseboat:
There was fun on land, too.
Families got there early to stake out their spots on the point where they could grill, listen to the music, and enjoy the land-based family events.
There was face-painting, a cow milking contest, and plenty of food vendors.
There was a celebrity dunking booth, too. I think Mary Beth Lavery stayed in the water more than she was out of it, thanks to some kids with good aim:
and her father, Steve, gave an unfair assist with the water hose:
All in all, much fun was had by all on land and in the water. As for the division between the two Floatilla groups, it didn't seem to matter one iota yesterday. Folks turned out in a big way to celebrate the end of summer and to support the Legion and their efforts for America's veterans. The sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and participants all came together for a good cause.
It was a good day.
The SIGIS Take a Trip Series:
Take a Trip to the 2012 Natchitoches Christmas Festival
Take a Trip to the 2012 Grand Cane Pioneer Day and Christmas Parade
Take a Trip to the 2012 Defenders of Liberty Air Show at BAFBTake a Trip to the 2012 Grand Cane Pioneer Day and Christmas Parade
Take a Springtime Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden, LA
Take a Trip to Logansport, Louisiana
Take a Trip to the Lock and Dam on Red River
Take a Trip to the 2012 Barkus and Meoux Parade
Take a Christmas Shopping Trip to Second Hand Rose in Minden
Take a Trip to the Fourth Annual Barksdale AFB Oktoberfest
Take a Trip to Grand Cane's Fifth Annual Pioneer Trade Day
Take a Trip to the 2011 Highland Jazz & Blues Festival
Take an Autumn Trip to Jefferson, Texas
Take a Fall Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to the 8th Air Force Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base
Take a Summertime Trip to Grand Cane
Take a Trip to Desoto Parish
Take a Summer Trip to Second Hand Rose Antiques in Minden
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Melrose Plantation
Take a Trip to Ed Lester Farms and a Random Antique Stop
Take a Trip to the Norton Art Gallery and the Masters of Cuban Art Exhibit
Take a Trip to Natchitoches to See the Christmas Lights
Take a Trip to the Third Annual BAFB Oktoberfest
Take a Trip to Natchitoches and Oakland Plantation
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