Fools’ Flotilla 2018

This year’s event was much improved as far as designated unloading spots and longer-term parking (available at the adjacent Care Wisconsin lot). The clouds were a bit ominous after a morning drizzle which surely kept some people from paddling, but the weather held out and it didn’t stop the surprisingly large crowds from watching and cheering on a bunch of paddlers in silly costumes. (My co-worker correctly pointed out that Madison finds any opportunity to dress up in costumes). If you were a spectator this year, next year you should really join in on the fun.

We love this event. It’s great for families and a unique way to travel to the Sunday festivities at the Marquette Waterfront Festival. This year, after taking-in a bit of the festival, we paddled back to Tenney which made the whole shuttling thing much more convenient. But later in the day, we had to make a return trip to the fest to grab a new River Alliance shirt, and of course, ice cream for the disco kids.

Extra special thanks is due to Beth Skogan, who not only captured and shared a beautiful photo gallery of this year’s Flotilla on her blog, but was also kind enough to let me post a few of us in the Disco Boat.

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Related Information:
Miles Paddled News: Fools Flotilla 2017
Miles Paddled Video: Fools’ Flotilla 2017

Timelapse Video:

Photo Gallery:

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Disco Boat.

And we’re off!

Catching up with the band.

The Life Aquatic.

Awesome capture of the Disco Boat courtesy of Beth Skogen Photography: http://www.bethskogen.com

Beth Skogen Photography: http://www.bethskogen.com

Look kids, a giant floating unicorn.

The giant floating unicorn almost got a little face-time with the railroad bridge.

Kind of a funny sight.

Beth Skogen Photography: http://www.bethskogen.com

Friends of Miles Paddled celebrating their 12 year wedding anniversary.

Even despite the suspect weather, there were still a lot of spectators.

Quite the crowd.

Into Lake Monona. You gotta love the Christmas Tree boat.

It took four boats to get Flo the Paddlefish to the take-out due to some serious headwinds.

Off to the festival!

Impressive Yellow Submarine.

I still haven’t figured out how/if this was actually paddled.

On our return to Tenney Park.

River rats on river rafts.

Disco kids.

Back on land.

Until next year, keep it groovy folks.