4th of July with the Boat Club - 2023

Every Fourth of July, our “boat club family” comes together on Canandaigua Lake for a tradition we’ve kept alive for years. It’s one of those days that feels like pure summer — sun-warmed water, picnic tables overflowing with food, and familiar faces everywhere you look.

We always set up camp at Kershaw Park, claiming our usual spot near the shoreline. From there, the day unfolds naturally: coolers, blankets, chairs, music, and an ever-growing spread of snacks and homemade dishes. Someone is always grilling, someone is always mixing drinks, and someone is always shouting across the lawn to greet a friend who has just arrived.

As the afternoon heats up, we make our way to the lake. Between all of us, there are kayaks, floats, paddle boards, and at least one boat — ours included — anchored just off the swimming area. People drift between water and shore, lounging in floats tethered together like a floating city.

Throughout the day we run into friends everywhere — on the water, at the launch ramp, walking the shoreline. Sometimes we take a break from the sun and stroll to the Canandaigua Hotel’s outdoor bar or Twisted Rail for a drink and a little shade before wandering back to the group.

It’s the kind of holiday that doesn’t need an agenda because the tradition itself does all the work. We laugh, eat, float, boat, and talk for hours. Kids grow older, new friends join the circle, and yet somehow it always feels like the same familiar summer celebration we’ve been having for years.

It’s not just a holiday — it’s one of the days that anchors our summer, the kind of gathering that reminds me how lucky we are to live near this lake and have this community.

Another beautiful Fourth of July in the books — and one I’ll treasure as part of my 1000 Adventures.