Support of favorite colleges theme for 2019 Wawasee Flotilla

Collegiate favorites will take over Wawasee Lake for the 2019 Wawasee Flotilla with the theme “Collegiate Spirit!” Taking a look at the variety of college flags hanging on flag poles, a wide variety of college spirit is expected.Entries, on land and in the water, supporting big schools, like Indiana University, Purdue, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan are expected. But so is support for the smaller schools like Wabash, DePauw and Valparaiso.This year’s flotilla will be Saturday, July 6.Participants will be gathering in front of the Wawasee Spink Condominiums at 11 a.m. with the parade to begin at 11:30 a.m. and move counterclockwise around the lake. This is the 58th Wawasee Flotilla parade.The coveted Commodore Trophy will be chosen and presented by this year’s commodores, Tom and Holly Tuttle. The Tuttles have been active with the Flotilla for 21 years and are supporters of various organizations and events in the community.Among the awards will be the Department of Natural Resources, Wawasee Property Owners Association, neighborhood, youth, Wawasee history, most patriotic, commercial/business, non-profit, best wooden and antique boats and most original. These awards will be presented from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 7, at the Channel Marker.There will also be the People’s Choice Award determined by Facebook voters, after the entries are posted on the Flotilla’s Facebook page.Flotilla participants are reminded to register in order to be eligible to win an award. Registration forms will be available at local retailers and Team Tuttle Mortgage or call (574) 457-3775 or email hollytuttle@yahoo.com to have an entry sent. Registration will also take place the day of the Flotilla at the judges boat.Individuals can help support the Flotilla, not only by participating, but also purchasing T-shirts with the special 2019 design. Each year a new logo is designed with T-shirts in all sizes, sweatshirts, hoodies and more available at Griffith’s Marine, NewMarket, Main Channel Marine and Team Tuttle Mortgage.Another event to mark your calendar with is the Flotilla Road Race at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 4, at Lakeside Park, Syracuse. Registration will begin at 7 a.m.The Flotilla Fundraiser Cruise will be Aug. 10 aboard the SS Lillypad.