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The 28th Annual Lake St. John Flotilla and Blessing of the Boats sets sail on Saturday, July 4.

The parade will start at 2 p.m. on the north end of Lake St. John. The parade is open to anything that floats and can maintain parade speed.

Boats will be judged in patriotic and non-patriotic categories. Cash prizes will be awarded to boats who sail around the entire lake past A, B, C and D piers.

All participants with decorated boats must register at Spokane Resort from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 4. Entry fee is $10 and participants will receive an event number.

Father John Pardue, Father Scott Thomas and Father Mark Shoffner, will bless the boats from the Steckler pier. Boats do not have to be decorated to receive a blessing.

The parade, led by Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick, will be followed by the 2020 Grand Marshal, Steve Kaiser and 95 Country Group will broadcast the event.

Lake St. John is a very special place for the residents of the Miss-Lou; where they learned to swim, ski, ride jet skis, dance, play cards and enjoy colorful sunsets.

The 2020 Grand Marshal, Steve Kaiser, has deep roots in the Miss-Lou. His grandfather, Cecil A. Kaiser, established Kaiser Velvet Ice Cream in Natchez and his Grandfather Burley had a General Store in Ferriday.

Steve grew up fishing on Black River Lake, Lake Concordia and Lake St. John. A Kaiser family reunion at Tony Byrne’s house on Lake St. John convinced Steve and his brother Scott that they had to have a weekend getaway on Lake St. John.

Although Steve owns a lawn care company in Baton Rouge, he and his daughter and stepchildren spend every weekend on Lake St. John. Steve has boiled crawfish every year for the annual clean-up day on Lake St. John.

When Susan and Kari asked him to be Grand Marshal of the 2020 Flotilla, he was “speechless and humble.” He felt “unworthy,” but he is proud to serve because “Lake St. John is in his blood.”

His vision for the lake is that it continues to be home for friendly people, its resources will continue to be conserved, and it will not be over-developed. He appreciates the Lake Commission and hopes residents will continue to preserve peace, harmony, patriotism and love of God.

Flotilla 2020 T-shirts, tanks and posters designed by Aimee Guido are available at Spokane Marina. Fireworks will light the sky at dusk from Newt Willis’ pier on the backside of the Lake. Donations for fireworks may be made at Spokane Resort.

The residents of the Miss-Lou are encouraged to celebrate the Glorious 4th on Lake St. John and Keep the Fleet Afloat.

For details, contact: Susan Harris at 318-403-8133 or e-mail susanhenry25@hot.mail.

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