Otsego Lake Association Plans

First Fourth Of July Boat Show

COOPERSTOWN – The Otsego Lake Association will sponsor its first annual “We Love Our Lake” decorated, judged boat parade at 6 p.m. Friday, July 4, rain or shine.

Paticipating decorated boats will gather off-shore at Three Mile Point, three miles north of Cooperstown on West Lake Road, the start and finish of the parade route.

The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station’s research vessel, Anondontoides,which will serve as a committee barge of judges and parade officials, will be moored off Three Mile Point.

Boats of all sizes and shapes, powered by engine, electric, wind, oar and paddle are welcome.  There are no fees, rules or regulations (except travel slowly, stay in line and be courteous).

Participating boats should meet in the waters off Three Mile Point in ample time to be lined up & ready for the 6 p.m. launch.

Clearly marked lead boats will escort participating vessels past the judges, then line up for a slow speed, in-line promenade from Three Mile Point, heading south along the west shore of Lake Otsego to Lakefront Park; the parade will then reverse course, and reconvene off-shore at Three Mile Point for the awarding of prizes.

Prizes will be given for a variety of categories, including:  Best Decorated Antique or Classic Boat; Best Decorated Man-Powered Boat; Best Original or Unusually Decorated Boat; Best Humorously Decorated Boat; Best Patriotic Theme Decorated Boat and Best Decorated Joyful, Party Boat.   Winners will then be eligible for the “Float Your Boat” Best of Parade Grand prize.

The “We Love Our Lake” July 4th Boat Parade is a fun-filled, all inclusive, informal gathering of boaters on the water and viewers on the shoreline, simply celebrating coming together on and around our beloved Lake Otsego. Following the boat parade, those wishing to linger may be lucky to view local fireworks.

OLA board member Wayne Bunn, who has advocated for the boat parade for many years, is grand marshall.  “I believe inviting lake-minded people together on the lake for some fun will heighten their awareness of a variety of issues impacting the lake right now,” he said, “such as invasive species, nutrients and sediments from surface water runoff, and water quality.  I have been on Otsego Lake since early childhood and hope that everyone will work to protect and preserve our local treasure for future generations.”