Venetian Boat Parade Winners Announced; the Hansens Take First Place

At left, Al and Mary Anne Hansen's boat is shown as it travels through Cedarville Bay. The boat and its costumed passengers took two awards in the Second Annual Les Cheneaux Venetian Lighted Boat Parade and Costume Party Saturday, July 7.

The Second Annual Venetian Lighted Boat Parade and Costume Party in the Les Cheneaux Islands drew a spirited group of participants who danced and sang their way through the islands from Cedarville to Hessel Saturday night, July 7.

A last minute decision to turn around before reaching Hessel Marina, however, proved disappointing to people waiting for the parade's arrival in Hessel, and organizer Joe Eger said next year's event will start at the marina so people on land can see the entries from a public viewing area.

He apologized for the group's turn, and said they decided not to finish the intended route because they did not see many people on land watching the parade and figured the same was true at the marina.

"After not seeing anyone else on land after a certain point, we just decided to shorten the route and head back to Cedarville," he said. "Next year, we'll do better."

A St. Bernard puppy at the stern of Les Cheneaux Islands seasonal residents Ken and Cynthia Dane's boat enjoys the sunset cruise through the Les Cheneaux Islands during the Second Annual Les Cheneaux Venetian Boat Parade and Costume Party Saturday, July 7.

The event will take place the Saturday after Independence Day, and the route will start at the Hessel Marina and head east through the channels to Cedarville.

Winners of this year's costume contest included Al and Mary Anne Hansen of Cedarville, who wore wildly patriotic costumes to match the red, white, and blue decorations and Uncle Sam on their boat.

Second place went to Annabelle Dyaz, a guest on their boat who was also covered from head to toe with red, white, and blue and a matching top hat.

Third place went to the Koch family, who returned to this year's event with colorful animal masks they had made of paper plates.

Lighted boathouse awards were given to Trip Abnee of Big LaSalle Island on Cedarville Bay, who took first place for his family's elaborate use of lights on their boathouse. Jerry and Sharon Guebert of Park Avenue in Cedarville took second place with their patriotic decorations and lights on Musky Bay.

In the lighted boat catagory, Al and Mary Anne Hansen won first place, Ron and Bonnie Fulton took second, and Joe and Carolyn Eger took third. All are Cedarville residents.