Unlike last year, weather for today’s Raft-O-Rama was super – no rain, sunny skies, and light breeze. Humidity was high, but that’s why we have the cooling waters of Clark Lake to mitigate perspiration.
Seventeen teams put their creative efforts to work to produce an impressive presentation. The 2024 theme was SPORTS.
Judging takes place each year by individuals who are far removed from the Clark Lake experience. No one at the lake is likely to know or have a connection with them in order to remove personal bias from decisions. All of the outcomes below are based on that premise, except for the Peoples Choice Award. Clark Lakers who have seen the entries in the parade vote as the party begins at Eagle Point on Raft-O-Rama Sunday. That voting takes place between noon and 3 pm. Awards follow, and here’s what happened.
Peoples Choice Award #9
Best Overall, Adults 18 & Up: The John Petitto Memorial Cup #11
Best Overall, Kids 17 and Under: The R. Tucker Boyers Award #4
Most Enthusiastic #9
Most Original #14
Funniest #2
Closest to the Theme #10
Most Colorful #8
Best Special Effects #12
Furthest from Theme #19
Rookie Award #5
Best Costumes #15
Best Attention to Detail #7
More Entries
Spirit of Clark Lake Award
Each year, the Mary Reynolds Spirit of Clark Lake Award is bestowed upon a deserving member of the community. During July, Clark Lakers were asked to submit names. In the past the names were placed in a small box at Doyles. This year the system changed. Instead of in-person nominating, names were submitted via this website. Those submitting names were asked to include their own name and email address to verify identities. As usual the award was announced during Raft-O-Rama. Flip Reynolds was away, and Dan Omo filled in making presentations.
The 2024 award was bestowed upon two Clark Lakers this year. In alphabetical order, they are Tricia Boyers and John Menard.
Tricia Boyers
John Menard
About the award: Flip Reynold’s mother was Mary Reynolds. Flip says she quietly found ways to make the lake a better place. Mary was fun loving, and cheered everyone on at the lake. She loved Clark Lake, even in the depth of winter. In her final days, she continued to take part in the community. Her last Raft-O-Rama was in 1994. This photo shows Mary (right) with friends Bev Avis (middle) and Meredith Szostek (left).
Previous Spirit of Clark Lake award winners are Joe Collins, Mike McKay, Annette Fink, Dan Omo, Rick Belcher, Peggy Collins, Peggy’s late husband Tom, Peggy’s son John, Bill Bendele, Evelyn Menard, Bunty Adams, Louie & Michele Ambs, Bill Tuttle, Bev Avis, Loretto Baker, Don Fowler, R. Tucker Boyers, George Svinicki, Joanne Ambs, Ogden Adkins, John & Dotty Karkheck, Dick Cochran, Woody Newman, Ann Swain, Pat Dwyer, Jamie Mercer, Sam & Kathy Pease, and Meredith Szostek.
Raft-O-Rama presented an award to one of its own – Dotty Karkheck. The plaque reads “Above & Beyond. Presented to Dotty Karkheck for your dedication, talent, and love of Clark Lake. The Heart of Raft-O-Rama.” Dotty authors the highly creative Peoples Choice Award each year, as well as taking on other design projects at Clark Lake.
Dotty Karkheck
The Lions Club Walt Shuberg presented Walt Reed with the the Lions of Michigan John Noel Fellowship award. It reads “…presented to Walter Reed in recognition of unselfish and dedicated service to humankind.”
Events like Raft-O-Rama don’t happen on their own. It takes volunteers who are inspired and willing to work to benefit the Clark Lake community. Below are some of them who put in the effort today.
Wonderful culmination to a GREAT Clark Lake weekend.
I think a certain reporter deserves a well earned vacation.
Congrats Dotty! ❤️ Fantastic Raft O Rama! Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who participated.
Thank you Rick. I don’t know how you keep up with everything here at Clark Lake, and still manage to ride your bike around the lake and walk everywhere! You are truly the spirit of our Clark Lake. Gorgeous day for Raft-O-Rama. No rain this year absolutely delightful day. Thank you so much everyone. Congratulations Dotty! Thank you to all the volunteers that help every year and make our lake the most special place in the world.
My mother always called Clark Lake her Camelot!❤️
What a great Day!!!! Congratulations to all and all who participated.. This was a great Clark lake Day!!
Thanks Rita, totally unexpected but so grateful! If wax s great weekend. Dotty
Our favorite was the Pickleballers!!! 🥒
Thanks for your round of applause! We had great fun, as usual.
It was a wonderful safe family day that our committee is proud to provide for the community that we love so much
Congrats to all for keeping up a great tradition!
So thankful for you, Rick! You capture ROR so well every year. You deserve a god medal!
Super fun day. Loved all the pontoon participants. The chicken dinners were great. Music was enjoyable & not too loud. The weather was fantastic.