Photo courtesy of White Lake Snow Farmers Facebook
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 23, 2025 — Float-A-Palooza is back and ready to make waves on White Lake. The annual floating festival hosted by the White Lake Snow Farmers, returns for its fourth year — bringing together kayakers, canoers, community spirit, live music, and an ambitious goal: breaking the world record for the largest raft of kayaks and canoes.
Photo courtesy of White Lake Snow Farmers Facebook
What Is Float-A-Palooza?
Float-A-Palooza is part fun float, part fundraiser, and part world-record attempt — but all heart. Participants in kayaks and canoes gather on White Lake near the Narrows by Wesley’s Marina. At 2 PM sharp, the group forms a single, connected raft — fulfilling the requirement for all vessels to be touching — while an overhead drone captures the moment.
“We had 320 boats our first year,” shared John Hansen of the White Lake Snow Farmers. “Then we were just under 500. The world record’s around 3,000, so we’ve got work to do — but the community keeps showing up.”
Photos courtesy of White Lake Snow Farmers Facebook
When, Where, and How to Join
🗓 Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM (World Record Photo at 2:00 PM)
📍 Location: White Lake – just off the Narrows, near Wesley’s Marina in Montague
💲 Cost: $12 per vessel
Register online at WhiteLakeSnowFarmers.org to secure your spot.
Each $12 registration comes with:
- A Float-A-Palooza koozie
- Coupons from White Lake area businesses
- Blessing of the Kayaks at 1:45 PM
- The chance to be part of something truly record-breaking
Music on the Water
Floating wouldn’t be as fun without the tunes. Thanks to a houseboat stationed on the lake, a live band will provide entertainment throughout the event. If weather conditions prevent the lake party, the event pivots to the Goodrich Park Gazebo, where the band will play a land-based concert.
“We’ll aim for the world record — even on land,” joked Hanson. “We’ll count kayaks on the lawn if we have to.”
Photos courtesy of White Lake Snow Farmers Facebook
Community at the Core
Float-A-Palooza is the primary fundraiser for the White Lake Snow Farmers, a group dedicated to creating outdoor fun for all ages. Founded during the snowless winter of 2020, the Snow Farmers built their own snow-making machine through community fundraising and have since expanded into a full slate of seasonal events: from cardboard sled races to parade snowball fights, and supporting local festivals like Trash Bash and the Chamber’s Business Expo.
Photos courtesy of White Lake Snow Farmers Facebook
CatchMark Technologies is proud to support the Snow Farmers by hosting the live White Lake weather station, a key resource for making snow and planning events like Float-A-Palooza.
Safety First, Fun Always
All participants must bring a personal flotation device (PFD), and safety support will be on the water throughout the event:
- Pontoon support boats
- Volunteers assisting at launch and landing zones
Supported areas for launching assistance are:
- Covel Park
- Montague Boat Launch
Want to Help?
The Snow Farmers welcome volunteers! Help is needed with:
- Launching and unloading kayaks
- Supporting launch sites
- Promoting the event through word of mouth and social media
If you or your organization are interested in volunteering, reach out via WhiteLakeSnowFarmers.org or the event’s Facebook page.
Why You Should Go
You don’t have to be a seasoned paddler to enjoy Float-A-Palooza. As one past participant put it:
“It’s just so fun sitting in a kayak, surrounded by people you’ve never met before, soaking up the sun and floating to live music. You have to experience it to understand.”
Whether you come for the music, the floating camaraderie, the community mission, or the shot at making history — Float-A-Palooza 2025 is your chance to be part of something unforgettable.
Join the float. Feel the vibe. Help make history.
Stay tuned to CatchMark Community for more on local events.
