The Good of the Gather

Parties that float together, stay together.

Published: Thursday, July 23, 2026 9:00 am
By: Kristen Ordonez

Whether you’re a lone wolf who likes the quiet fishing trip or the family of five who’s spent generations of summers on the water, boating is a space for anybody and everybody. For those particularly who like to use it to be social and either find new friends or spend time with old ones, one great way to create lasting memories is on the boat, or in some cases multiple boats tied together. These short-term getaways are called float parties, a popular tradition that happens across the Great Lakes in both big ways and small.

Ted Widen is the founder of Chicago Scene Boat Party which began as a simple get together with other friends out on Lake Michigan in 2000. “Back in the late 1990s, people would still go to the place and tie up, but we would tie up with three or four or five boats. That was about it,” Widen says, not to mention that everyone would play music over each other — the clashing drove him nuts. Widen worked in event production in Chicago, and so an idea came to be that instead of what started out as a gathering of friends set in a small line of 4-5 boats, eventually became a more organized event service with a designated sound system and DJs — not to mention a much larger guest list. “We got 50 boats to show at our first boat party, so we did it again the next year and we had 100 boats show up. And then the next year we had 200 boats. It just kept doubling and doubling and doubling, until the city of Chicago said we had 1,000 boats out there,” he notes.

It's not just metropolitan areas that can bring a crowd either. Large events like the Jobbie Nooner and Muscamoot Bay Raft Off have been running since as early as 1974 and see crowds of hundreds of boats each year. “Both events are big, high-energy boating gatherings with a very social atmosphere. Jobbie Nooner has more of a wild, party-style reputation, while the Muscamoot Bay Raft Off feels like one of the largest floating get-togethers on Lake St. Clair,” according to Chadwick Conte, a Muscamoot Bay rep. “Both bring together boaters who enjoy the lake, summer, and the community around boating.”

Community is a big aspect that pushes events like these to have done so well, as pretty much any type of boat can jump on board. “You see a pretty wide mix,” says Conte, from pontoons, cruisers, and center consoles, to bowriders, wake boats, and larger pleasure boats. “The common thread is usually having enough room for people, gear, coolers, and a comfortable day on the water.” However, that’s not to say there haven’t been challenges or changes over time. As a lucrative business venture, charter boating has carved out a space in the boating event sector of the industry, which helps to get those who love the water out and about. However, this has complicated things for party groups by restricting vessels from having too large of a crowd or party on board — in fear of being reprimanded by the Coast Guard as an illegal charter group, which can result in thousands of dollars in fees.

“There are some who do this accidentally, those who don’t understand the Coast Guard regulations a lot of the time,” says Widen, who then get penalized and fined. The numbers of boats who sign on to the yearly Chicago Boat Scene Party has also decreased, either due to going with charter groups instead or for other reasons. Not to mention that not everyone strives to create a mass event like the CBSP or any of the yearly events at Muscamoot Bay. “It really depends on the boater,” notes Conte, with some boaters getting really into planning and coordinating while others just want to show up and hang out, often dependent on the weather. Plus on the day, things can get a little chaotic if you’re new, from everything like sitting in boat traffic, both on the water or in the parking lots, to getting fuel, service, and gear together in time. Navigating day-of, assigning sober drivers, creating float plans, etc, it can be a lot for those who don’t think to expect the worst.

Those who love to party via float REALLY love it, and it's not hard or complicated to do so. There are many benefits that appeal to every generation, from older skippers to new blood who are just gaining their sea legs. “Younger boaters seem to approach these events more socially and visually, with photos, videos, and social media becoming a bigger part of the experience,” says Conte, while “longtime attendees often seem more focused on tradition, anchoring strategy, timing, and knowing how to navigate the day smoothly.” Everyone’s out on the water to have a good time, take lots of pictures, and make memories — you can’t do that well without knowing the basics and protocol.

Make that float plan and be sure to keep records for everyone attending. Be sure your or someone knows how to actually anchor a boat correctly. Be mindful of where your music’s playing so as to keep nearby residents copacetic. Keep an eye on the weather, wind advisories, and tides when it applies. Have the correct (and enough) gear, everything from enough fenders to food and water to last the whole day and more. The best way to get the most out of the experience is based on preparation, cooperation, safety, and staying flexible.

2026 Summer Float Parties to Look Out For

Torch Lake Fourth of July Sandbar Party | July 4-5

Horton Bay Raftoff at the Boyne Thunder Poker Run | Boyne City, MI | July 10-11

Pottahawk | Lake Erie | July 12 — https://pottahawkpissup.ca/

Annual Island Fest Downriver Boat Party | Erie, MI | July 25

Chicago Boat Scene Party 2026 | July 25 — https://chicagosceneboatparty.com/

Bud Bash! | Houghton Lake | August 1 — https://limberlost.xyz/bud-bash

Canada Boat Party Toronto 2026 | August 1 — https://torontoboatparties.com/

Raft Off | Muscamoot Bay, Lake St. Clair | August 8 — https://www.muscamoot-bay.com/

Annual Dunbar Bay Pirate Party | Grosse Isle, MI | August 8

Lake Charlevoix Raft Up | Charlevoix, MI | August 15

Toronto Air Show Boat Party | September 5 — https://torontoboatparties.com/