Eighteen-year-old traditions are difficult to break, thankfully.

The forecast for the annual Lake St. John Flotilla didn’t look so good in early May. With only two months left remaining to plan the event that has grown quite large in recent years, little planning had occurred.

Most lake residents were worried about moving their belongings to higher ground ahead of a predicted 65-foot Mississippi River crest.

It appeared, at least for a few days, that the new organizers of the annual Fourth of July weekend celebration were going to let it die, at least this year, due to the river.

But an older, perhaps wiser crowd knew better than to let that happen.

A few of the early — but not original — organizers of the event stepped up to the pier and got to work.

Saturday, at approximately 3 p.m., a fleet of boats will once again begin a ride around the lake to receive their blessing from a local priest and have quite a bit of fun along the way.

The event has been slightly scaled back, thanks to Mother Nature, but it will occur.

Annual events such as this one bring small communities together. They are important to our overall quality of life, and we are glad a few lake dwellers realized such.

The flotilla is a great event, but fun on the water carries its risks. If you’ll be on a boat in the lake this weekend, please don’t drink and drive — the boat or a vehicle. Be cautious of the other boats and err on the safe side.

Tragedy can end fun very quickly.

Happy floats!