A Rip-Roaring Good Time Had At Tippy Flotilla
Text, Photos and Video
By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews
LEESBURG — The surface of Lake Tippecanoe was roiling with activity during the annual flotilla Saturday, July 5. The waves were kicked up by a battalion of floats competing to win top prizes for this year’s theme, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” inspired by the 1987 John Hughes Film.
There were 18 entries this year, “probably a record number,” according to organizer Dan Drook.
Even before the flotilla officially started, participants were cheering, waving, tossing souvenirs to other boats, and generally making merry. Boats equipped with sound systems blasted songs like “Love Train” and “Crazy Train” to drive the theme home. A barrage of other boats, jet skis, kayaks and paddle boards were out on the water so their owners could watch the flotilla up close.
Some entrants stuck very closely to the theme’s inspiration, like float No. 25, which was decorated like the wood-paneled station wagon from the film. Others took a few more liberties, including some train-themed floats that trailed bubbles or steam from their smokestacks.
Once all the floats had gone by, the judges evaluated each entry based on “creativity, level of effort and how well they stick to the theme,” said second-year judge, Betsy Lasalle.
After some deliberation, Lasalle and her fellow judges, Austin and Erica Downing, chose the five floats that would win the biggest cash prizes. All other entrants received $50 for their participation.
The first place prize of $500 went to the Finch family for their Tippy Express train float. In second place, receiving $400 were Ed and Tina Truman for their Thomas the Tank Engine float. Karen and Matt Snyder took home the third place $300 prize for the Tippy Transit bus float. The Devoe family received $200 for their second place-winning red Chevy float. Lastly, the fifth place prize of $100 went to Erica Fowler and her “Taxi Through Tippy” plane float.
Drook, who has helped organize the flotilla for 12 years, expressed satisfaction with the turnout. “It’s an accumulation of lake lovers,” he said. “I love to see them have fun, and I love to see the kids out there.”
- The Finch family won first place for their Tippy Express float, with real steam coming from the smokestack.
- Members of the Finch family followed the float in a jetski and distributed train whistles.
- Ed and Tina Truman won second place in their Thomas the Tank Engine float.
- Karen and Matt Snyder won third place for their bus float.
- The Devoe family took home third place in their red Chevy truck float.
- Erica Fowler won fifth place for her plane-themed float.
- Judges Austin Downing, Erica Downing and Betsy Lasalle show off their train whistles.
- Entry No. 25 was decorated after the station wagon from “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
- This float was themed after the “Mission: Impossible” series.
- In the spirit of travel, this float is styled after the book “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”
- Entry No. 15 chose “Go, Dog, Go” as an inspiration.
- This float was titled “Snoopy’s Lake Adventure.”