When the 27th annual Lake St. John Flotilla and blessing of the boats sets sail on Saturday, the blessing will continue an age-old Louisiana and Mediterranean tradition.

The boat parade, led by Sheriff Kenneth Hedrick, followed by 2019 Grand Marshal Richard Prescott, will start at 2 p.m. Saturday on the north end of the lake. The Rev. John Pardue will bestow blessings on all boats from the Steckler Pier. The boats do not have to be decorated to receive a blessing.

Registration will be at Spokane Marina from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday. There is no theme. Boats will be judged in patriotic and non-patriotic categories. Cash prizes will be awarded to participants who sail around the lake past A, B, C and D piers. Country Radio Station 95 will broadcast the event and will announce all winners and draw for prizes all day. Fireworks will light the sky at dusk, shot from Newt Willis’ pier on the backside of the lake.

Public viewing will be from Spokane Marina. Flotilla 2019 T-shirts, tanks and posters designed by Susan Harris are available at Spokane Marina, Rami’s and Lake St. John Grocery.

Richard Prescott, 2019 Flotilla Grand Marshal, was raised in Natchez and Lake St. John was his summer playground. He and his friends played, swam and water-skied on the lake all summer. After graduating from Northwestern in Natchitoches, Richard traveled in the oil and gas business, but being married to a Natchez lady, Patti Williams, they brought children to the lake. They built a house eight years ago and now the four grandchildren love spending weekends on the lake. Richard and family have participated in the Flotilla and won prizes for Bat Man float and Tribute to Marines.

Richard became involved in the first Lake St. John clean-up five years ago and now is organizer of the event. He said he was surprised and honored to be chosen Grand Marshal and also loves the Fourth of July event because it celebrates faith, freedom and the U.S. military because two of their sons are veterans.

The 2019 Flotilla committee encourages everyone to enjoy the Flotilla on Saturday. Join us in celebrating freedom, faith and the beautiful piece of God’s country, Lake St. John.

For more information, contact Donna Maroon chairman of the Lake St. John Flotilla committee at 318-481-0182 or donnamaroon@aol.com.

Gay Guercio is a member of the Lake St. John Flotilla Committee.