Medford Lakes, NJ

Medford Lakes enjoyed another successful Canoe Carnival for 2008 this past weekend. As always it was a great time for the community, families and friends to celebrate the uniqueness that's Medford Lakes.

There had originally been weather reports calling for showers in the evening, but the historical trend in Medford Lakes of no rain on the first Saturday in August was once again upheld. The the festivities went off without any rain, dispite threatening clouds during the day, and even providing a beautiful sunset of the lake.

Around 9 pm the signal was sounded for the Canoe Floats to dismbark from their dock moorings. As always, it's amazing to see the ingenuity and creativity that displayed by local individuals and groups and on display for the thousands of appreciative spectators surrounding Lower Aetna Lake.

Here are some pictures taken that evening curing the Canoe Carnival...


Spectators getting ready to watch the event from Beach One:

Views from from another location of lake, just prior to parade of Canoe Floats:







Here are some (not all) of the the great Floats we experienced (without the sounds, activity and performances that you would enjoy if seeing it live):


Kickin' Around The Lake (by The Dry Docks):




"Re-Cycle of Life" (by Girl Scouts of America):




Rie On the Magid School Bus (by Jr. Friends of Medford UMC):




An Incovenient Float (by the Unlikely's):




Sea Cruise (by Friends of Medford UMC):




Horton Hears The Who (by A Group Named Sioux):




Neeta School Musical (by the Next Generation):




Welcome Back (by Ladies of the Lakes):




Splish Splash - We're Takin' A Bath (by The Hardwick Family):




Still The One (by On The Rocks):




The Boys Are Back In Town (by The Scrub Pines):




It's Cool To Bee Green (by Medford Lakes Up-N Comers)




Iron Man (by Barely Afloat):



(Note: Two red lights were on the flat bottom of a large moving Steam Iron.)

If you missed it these year, be sure to mark your calendars for next year's Canoe Carnival (remember, it's always the first Saturday in August).

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

One of the highlights of the Medford Lakes experience is the annual Canoe Carnival held on the first Saturday in August. Everyone looks forward to this time where the community comes together to celebrate the uniqueness of Medford Lakes and enjoy the fellowship of family and friends in a Mardi Gras type of atmosphere, culminating in a parade of canoe floats on the water. (That description doesn't do it justice, you have to experience it!)

There are a lot of preparations and planning leading up to this event, including the campaigning and voting on the King and Queen of the Canoe Carnival and the Court. They were announced yesterday, and will be appearing on one of the procession of floats that will embark from their docks at dark, when the signal to begin is given. Kids and people of all ages are always fascinated by the creativity and ingenuity that goes into the making of the floats.

Starting at 7pm, on Beach One, there will be a Master of Ceremonies, who will introduce the live entertainment and featured participants prior to the parade of canoe floats, and will then introduce each float as it goes by.

See the Colony Club website for more details about the Canoe Carnival.


See my previous articles about the Medford Lakes Canoe Carnival that describe it in more detail and provide some historical background.


Wider view of above photo:


Another view of lake showing some of the preparations for tonights Canoe Carnival:

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday, Medford Lakes celebrated with it's traditional Memorial Day Parade lead off by the Shawnee High School Marching Band, followed by herds of kids in their decorated bikes, and then followed by local honories, officials and a long line of police, fire and emergency vehicles from Medford Lakes and the surrounding communities of Medford, Southampton, Shamong, Evesham and Tabernacle townships and the Forest Service.

It was quite a large group of kids that participated, Medford Lakes owes a lot of it's vitality to the youth and young families in the community as well as those who are raised families and are still active in the community.

As always, the highlight of this event is when the parade ends up for memorial ceremonies at the Borough's municipal building. The national anthem, playing of Taps, offering of words and a time of silent prayer in memory of those who gave their lives and the sacrifices of their families was made and the lowering of the flags to half-mast was carried out by local officials, VFW veterans and the local Boy Scouts. It was a very solemn and heart felt time for all observing the event.

(Note: Prior to the parade, there was the annual marathon run.)


Images from the parade...

Shawnee H.S. Marching Band leads the parade...

Next the local Boy Scout troop...



A couple of our local heroes...



Then come the bikers...



And more bikers plus strollers with parents...



And of course, the fire, emergency and rescue vehicles...

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Once again, on Memorial Day, we will be celebrating and honoring our veterans, Medford Lakes style.

"Come out and get involved in a great time - Monday, May 26, 2008 the Medford Lakes Lions are again sponsoring the Annual Memorial Day Parade, which will leave from Wilson Field.  All participants should report to Wilson Field at 9 a.m. where the Junior Women will register them and assign numbers organized by age and gender.  The Women's Auxiliary will judge each category for prizes at the conclusion of the parade.  Children participating should have decorated bicycles, wagons or other. 

The parade will start at 10:00 a.m. so participants should be set up no later than 9:45 a.m."

Source: Medford Lakes Colony Club


Click here for a short highlight of last year's celebration.

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.

Medford Lakes Colony Memorial Day Run will be held on Monday, May 26, 2008, beginning at 8:00 AM.
Everyone is invited to participate.  It is a 5K run.  If interested, show up between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM on the day or the race to register. 

Race Day Schedule:
6:00 AM - 7:30 AM - Race Day Registration - Vaughan Hall, Tabernacle Road, Medford Lakes
7:30 AM - Race Instructions and announcements
7:45 AM - National Anthem
8:00 AM RACE START
9:30 AM - Awards - Vaughan Hall

Race Course:
APPROX. 3.2 MILES (5K) - Marked with Bright Green Arrows
Start at the Stop Line Tecumseh/Powhatan
Tecumseh to take a sharp left at Pocahontas onto Neeta
Follow Neeta to Omaha to Blackfoot
Right onto Oak
Cross McKendimen to Chippewa to Beach Drive
Right on Stokes to first right onto Timbo to left on Comanche
Cross Stokes to Bowker to Minnetonka
Go over the footbridge (Quogue)
Go Right onto Natchez and follow to Lenape to Stokes to Aetna Way and back at Vaughn

Pre-Registration: Only in person at the Medford Lakes Colony office, 79 Tecumseh Trail, Medford Lakes, N.J. 08055, between 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. (609-654-7747)

Cost: To enter - $12 which includes the Medford Lakes Colony "Memorial Day Run" t-shirt.  Make checks payable to "Medford Lakes Colony".


Source: Colony Club News

Copyright 2008 by Lawrence Yerkes. All Rights Reserved.