2026 LAKE GEORGE ANNUAL JULY 4TH BOAT PARADE

It was a beautiful, sunny Independence Day this year and the two veteran Lake George Boat Parade judges, Candy Hansmeyer and Cynthia Prestholdt, were ready to impartially judge the dozen boats who aligned themselves by the appointed 11:30 AM time near Ridge Park (Ridge/Stitt dock) on the West side of the lake. The judges viewed the boats from Birdie and Tom Rotramel’s pontoon boat. The judges asked persons riding on each boat to provide their captain’s name and their boat’s theme. The established judging criteria included: Adherence to the announced theme for the parade: “1776 – 2026 The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence”, creativity/originality, and participants’ demonstration of enthusiasm/team spirit.

Following careful deliberation, First Place is awarded to the Jerry Cullen pontoon boat, featuring the signage “No taxation without representation” and “Liberty.” In addition to a very noisy crew in period costumes, their boat towed an inflatable raft with a trio of captured, aptly attired British Red Coats. The crew also tossed several boxes overboard, labeled “TEA”, as homage to the historic Boston Tea Party! They well met the judging criteria, especially that of creativity!!

Second Place was awarded to the Jochum pontoon boat which featured a banner: “1776-2026,” lots of red, white and blue bunting, and the sign, “USA,” on the stern of the boat – and an actively cheering crew!

Honorable mention was a tie awarded to two pontoons: 1) Birdie and Tom Rotramel’s pontoon with a large, colorful birthday cake poster stating “Happy Birthday” for “USA 250” and other decorations, including red covered pillows.

2) Jackie Sundsrud and her crew were also noteworthy for their boat trimmed with red, white and blue balloons, signage “America 250” and “America the Beautiful,” plus a bevy of participants actively cheering and waving flags. Congratulations to all the other colorful participating boats and their cheering crews who were also creatively decorated for the holiday!

After motoring by the judges, the participating boats lined up and paraded around Lake George before departing to their home ports. Thanks to ALL boat parade participants for providing a colorful and lively celebration for this year’s special Independence Day!

Respectfully Submitted: Candy Hansmeyer and Cynthia Prestholdt, parade judges