Big Presidents' Day Armada at Litchfield Lake Park

By Jack David

On Presidents’ Day weekend (2/19), the West Valley R/C Mariners held its 2022 Presidents' Day Scale Flotilla and Parade of Boats at the west end of Lake Park in Litchfield Park. This event marked the return of the traditional event for the first time since 2020.

The weather was absolutely beautiful and our traditional home for the 26 years, Lake Park, never looked better. TWELVE registered skippers brought a total of TWENTY-NINE boats to the event—one of the largest fleets we've had in the history of the Presidents' Day Flotilla.

Included were "out of town" skippers from Los Angeles, Prescott, and Sahuarita, Arizona. The Maricopa Live Steamers and Arizona Model Railroad Society brought a special static display of Giant Scale warships from World War II. Spectators voted for their favorite boats for the People's Choice Award. Awards were also given for Skipper's Choice, Best Commercial, Best Pleasure, Best Military, and Engineering.

The WVRCM Presidents' Day Flotilla & Parade of Boats is an annual event featuring military, commercial, pleasure and sail vessels. Each boat makes a Parade Pass with a commentator describing each boat for the crowd, followed by free running around the milling oval. This has proven to be a popular format with both spectators and the skippers.

The WVRCM would like to thank the City of Litchfield Park Parks and Recreation Department for providing us with a great venue and a home for the last 26 years. 

Congratulations to the skippers who won an award and thanks to all the participants and people of Litchfield Park who made this such a great event!

Awards

People's Choice: Chuck Nelson (Sahuarita, AZ) ; Fred B. Nelson Tug & John Galt Barge
Skippers' Choice: Barrett Hochhaus; U.S.S. Long Beach (CGN-1)
Best Military: Mark Weitzman (California); "PIKA" Russian Patrol Boat
Best Commercial:  Rene Vallejo (Payson, AZ); Southern Belle Paddlewheeler
Best Pleasure: Joe DiCenzo; Martini Irene
Engineering Award: Barrett Hochhaus; U.S.S. Long Beach (CGN-9)

Pictures of the event below and even more shots here.