The White Lake Snow Farmers' annual Float-a-Palooza is set for Saturday, Aug. 23, as the organization aims to raise money for its activities and continue progressing towards an eventual run at the world record for a connected flotilla.
That record is 3,150, which was set in New York by another nonprofit, One Square Mile of Hope. The Float-a-Palooza isn't there yet - last year saw a slight downturn in participation as just under 400 people rowed kayaks out into White Lake - but the Snow Farmers knew when they launched the event that it would be a building process to get there.
Part of boosting the numbers, the nonprofit reasoned, is getting the word out earlier and casting a wider net. John Hanson of the Snow Farmers said the group is accomplishing that by enlisting help spreading the word in nearby Grand Haven and Spring Lake.
The annual event invites all to bring their kayaks to White Lake, starting at 12:30 p.m., and park them next to a boat that includes local musician Tommy Foster performing contemporary and past favorites before a drone takes a group picture of all gathered kayaks at 2 p.m. Hanson said last year that while the Snow Farmers want to see more people on the lake, the ones that do come consistently express their enjoyment of what's quickly become a local tradition. Funds raised go towards the Snow Farmers' creation of synthetic snow, which is most notably used on the Hanson Street sledding hill in Whitehall. Snow Farmers members also volunteer in other ways throughout the year; Hanson recently contributed to the launch of the White Lake Community Gardens.
Prior to the 2 p.m. drone photo, Hanson said, there will be a blessing of the kayaks performed at 1:45 for those who wish to participate. Squirt guns will be used to "christen" the kayaks.
Hanson said this year the Snow Farmers have a plan in place for if the weather does not cooperate. In the three previous Float-a-Paloozas, no such plan was needed as the weather was near-perfect each time.
"Tommy Foster and the gang would perform at Goodrich Park under the gazebo (if it rains), and we'll shoot for the record for the most kayaks on dry land," Hanson chuckled.
Each year the Snow Farmers donate 10% of the proceeds from the Float-a-Palooza to a local nonprofit. Last year the White Lake Association was chosen, and this year the designated recipient is the West Michigan Underwater Preserve. Part of the Michigan Underwater Preserve Council (MUPC), the group works to preserve shipwrecks along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Local wrecks are identified by GPS coordinates on the group's website, michiganpreserves.org. One of its activities is the placement of safe mooring buoys on shipwrecks, which protects them from harm and enables their exploration by divers. Shipwreck diving is a popular pastime in the area and one MUPC is passionate about facilitating.
Participation in the Float-a-Palooza is $12, and registration is available online at whitelakesnowfarmers.org. Registrants will receive a packet that includes a sticker for their kayak as well as coupons from several local businesses. Kayaks will be available for rent at WaterDog Outfitters in Whitehall.
"We're hoping it keeps increasing," Hanson said.
