More than 1,000 people floated in Little Manitou Lake at the same time (Facebook/WMB Events)

By Aaron Schulze

Manitou Beach's Big Float

More than 1,000 participate in Manitou Beach’s ‘Big Float’

Jul 15, 2019 | 5:00 PM

The community of Manitou Beach floated its way to a new personal record.

On Saturday, July 13, a total of 1,642 people floated in Little Manitou Lake at one time as part of the resort village’s ‘Big Float’ event.

The Big Float is one of Manitou Beach’s centennial celebrations.

Sarah McKen, the Big Float’s event coordinator, said she and everyone else involved are ecstatic.

“It was perfect, we couldn’t have asked for anything better,” McKen told northeastNOW. “We are grateful to the local volunteers, businesses, and safety services all stepping up and being on site. And the support from people who really got on board with this crazy idea of ‘how many of us can float in Manitou.’”

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McKen said her and other organizers of the Big Float initially applied to participate as a Guinness World Record attempt, although the process and regulations weren’t worth potentially sacrificing the event’s purpose.

“Some of the greatest gifts are things you don’t receive,” she said. “Not being a Guinness Record attempt meant we could have fun with it. Because we didn’t have anybody imposing rules on us, we could include floaty toys, costumes, get into the water at our comfort level, and we didn’t have to meet anybody else’s standards. We did it the Manitou Beach way.”

Being able to follow their own rules also helped Big Float organizers and volunteers ensure nobody got injured as people got in the water.

McKen wouldn’t confirm if another Big Float would take place in the future, but said she and the organizers and volunteers are pleased with its reception and how it unfolded.

In the meantime, Manitou Beach is continuing its centennial celebrations, including a homecoming dance in Danceland on July 20, the third annual Maple Madness Chainsaw carving competition in August, and a picnic party with local dignitaries on Aug. 11 to celebrate its incorporation date.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow