Here Comes the Boat Parade!
Everyone loves a good parade, especially a good boat parade, and one of the best is coming up on Thursday, July 4 in Belgrade Lakes.
If the past is any indication, there will be family (pontoon) and party boats, speed boats, maybe a fire boat, angler boats, rubber boats, boats piloted by dogs (or so it seems), paddle boats, the occasional canoe or kayak, and the spectators’ favorites — antique boats with antique motors. It’s no accident that so many antique boats are in the parade. Many of them are owned and coveted by residents of Great Pond and have plied these waters for years.
Others are Great Pond guests for the day, the passion of a unique group of collectors who are statewide members of the Pine Tree Boating Club, the local branch of the national Antique Outboard Motor Club, Inc.
Throughout the boating months, when the call goes out, the members show up on a variety of lakes in Maine. There’s a code for when and where and a few simple instructions, mostly like bring your own food.
For the Belgrade Lakes 4th of July Boat Parade, the code is “Pete’s Place.” Pete’s is a rallying point starting at 4 a.m. At 10 a.m., the floating antique collection heads to the parade line-up at the mouth of the Belgrade Stream and from then on, it’s 2 miles to the Route 27 bridge and back of pure participation enjoyment past historic boat houses, lily pads and kids wading on the edge of the steam. Local docks that have been offered as public viewing sites will be crowd- ed with spectators. Local ducks who own the stream will paddle helter- skelter. Cameras will click. And, the occasional water gun will add an element of friendly fire suspense.
The boat parade is scheduled for 12 noon. For more information about the Pine Tree Boating Club visit www.pinetreeboating.com.
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