The "U.S.S. Missouri" (above, left) won first prize in the boat category. "Slice of Heaven" took second in pontoons.

Boat parade is a pretty start for Elysian's special day

published July 4, 2007, 12:15 p.m. CDT

One pontoon entered in the annual boat parade was dubbed, "Slice of Heaven", a fitting name for a perfect fourth of July morning on Lake Francis. Decorated watercraft tooled along the shoreline under sunny skies with just enough breeze to billow the flags and wind kites hooked aboard 25 boats and pontoons entered this year. Grand Marshals, Mack and Jan Evans, along with Miss Elysian and her court, led the parade sponsored by the Lake Francis Lake Association.

The judging panel included left to right: Bob and Patsy Culhane, Father Brown, and Judy and Dick Conroy.

Edna Thayer, far right, and her husband, Dave, hosted the judges, providing them with a lakeside lookout.

Award winners:

BOATS

1st place: U.S.S. Missouri, John Considine

2nd place: Tie-dye and Bubbles, Al Aspengren

3rd place: Pirates, Krentlow family

Honorable mention: Hula theme, Falkas family

PONTOONS

1st place: Pirates of Elysian, James Jessen

2nd place: Slice of Heaven, Brage family

3rd place: Irish theme, Dan Houlihan

Honorable mention: All Wrapped Up - Chuck Jamerson, Surf's Up - Myra Battenfeld, Proud to be an American - Brian Hering

First through third place entrants received a trophy and cash prize from the Lake Francis Lakes Association.

Photos by K. Burns for Elysian Area Chamber of Commerce