By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Plans for the 2022 Wawasee Flotilla are in full swing and “Out of this World,” with the Flotilla Store ready for merchandise orders.

This is the 61st anniversary of the flotilla and the committee has gone “galactic” with its theme “Out of this World: Lake Wawasee — the Best Place in the Universe.” Flotilla participants are encouraged to highlight the best place in the Universe — Lake Wawasee.

A sample of the galactic design

Is it possible there will be boats, piers and yards decorated from Star Wars, a moon landing, a space shuttle, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek, Avatar, “Rocket Man,” Guardians of the Galaxy, Jedi, Sky Walker, Darth Vader, forms of UFOs — in this case unidentified floating objects — to the Jetsons and planets?

The flotilla will be held Saturday, July 2. The start time is 11:30 a.m. from The Spink, the lineup beginning at 11 a.m. when judging begins. The flotilla will be moving counterclockwise around the lake.

Commodores for this year will be the original committee members from 1961. These men had the vision and foresight to conceive an event that has lasted 61 years. Original committee members include Gorden “Short” McCormick, Jack Wells, Jim McCully, Tom Socks, Tiny Soule, Larry Griffith, Dale Butt, Clem Lisor, Earl Money and Bob Rule, known as the Founding Fathers of the Flotilla.

A sample of the nautical design

The families of original board members are encouraged to contact the committee at [email protected] to let them know of children of members who are still in the area so they can be recognized.

A limited number of merchandise will be available for purchase at the annual Wawasee Property Owners Association/Syracuse Lake Association Family Breakfast Saturday, June 11. Long- and short-sleeved T-shirts, polos and hats will be available at that time.

A complete line of T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and more are available at the Flotilla store: flotilla.orderpromos.com. Items ordered by May 13 will be delivered by mail before Memorial Day. Orders placed by June 10 will be received before July 4.

In the merchandise store, items with galactic and nautical designs can be found in various sizes from youth up to triple extra large, on such items as long- and short-sleeved T-shirts, crewneck sweatshirts, performance shirts, racerback tanks, V-neck fine Jersey cover-ups, zip hoodies, polo shirts, hats, crossbody pouches and coolies. There are 34 items displayed on the site in such colors as white, blue, gray and red. The store will officially close Aug. 26.