The Canoe Carnival is held every year on the first Saturday in August because it was originally determined, after looking at historical records of the weather, that the first Saturday in August has the least amount of bad weather. Except for a few exceptions that weather pattern has held over the years and last night was a another perfect night.
The temperature was perfect, the night was clear, almost a full moon. On the lake where the Canoe Carnival is held, as well as the other surrounding lakes (there are 23 in Medford Lakes), the decorative lights and the moonlight reflecting on the water was beautiful and breathtaking.
The basic concept for participation in the Canoe Carnival "parade" of floats (and we mean it literally) is that you are allowed one or two canoes with one paddler per canoe. You can mount and build anything you want on top of and between the canoes, but it has to float, be able to be paddled around the lake where the Carnival is held and kept in control -- at night when completely dark (usually after 9pm). When it is determined dark enough to begin, a signal is given and the floats cast off from the various docks locate around one the host lake and they make one revolution around the lake.
Participants can be individuals, but usually groups (both young and old) take on the task of coming up with a concept, getting it approved, then designing and constructing the float. There is almost no limit to what they can and do come up with, but the larger ones consist of two canoes supporting a platform with generators for lights and music, moving props and live performers... as long as it floats. Remember, it can only be propelled by at most one paddler per canoe and must be seen (and usually heard) at night.
And what's a carnival without it's Queen, King and Court? Medford Lakes is no exception. A very competitive campaign leads up to the when the whole community votes for the queen and king and their court of runners-ups.
The community celebrates the day of the Canoe Carnival with family barbecues, hosting of dinners and even catered parties, after which everyone attends the festivities at a main lake where the Canoe Carnival is held. While the sun is setting, various forms of entertainment are provided, until the sky gets completely dark, then a signal is given and the floats cast off from their dockings. People watch from the lake beach, anywhere they can stand or set up a lawn chair.
This is a large event, streets are blocked to pedestrian traffic, parties are going on in every home along the lake and they invite everyone they know to come and join in on the food, festivities and floats.
Below are some of the scenes, starting in the afternoon prior to the Canoe Carnival, then after dark on the lake's beach and finally shots of some of the the floats that participated in the Canoe Carnival.
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| Canoe Carnival Lake | Some of Docked Floats |
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| Lake Beach | Beach at Night of Carnival |
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| Beach at Night | Wizard of Oz Float |
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| Muscle Beach | Cheeseburger In Paradise |
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| Girls Scouts Rock | Signs...Signs |
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| 5 O'Clock Somewhere | Rubber Ducky |
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| Queen, King and Court | Roman On The River |
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| A Group Named Sioux | At The Whale Wash |
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