I didn't want to host the 2025 Boat Bash Snow Crash this year.
Rewinding to last year, I was defeated by mother nature on a few different occasions. The lackluster snowfall and abnormal amount of winter rain resulted in the cancellation, rescoping, and rescheduling of the event, not once... but twice! We conceded to the weather and, instead, hosted a community corn hole tournament that didn't resemble the Boat Bash in any capacity.
Personally, it was tough. I was disappointed, and I felt defeated. Mill City Park has always tried to host outdoor events promote community, relationships, and encourage spectating. We strive to host interactive and community based events that celebrate our city and the outdoor recreation activities uniquely available in our city. We work hard to challenge what is possible and raise the bar for each event.
Last year, we didn't meet that bar or our high expectations of ourselves. Each time the event was pushed or changed, it became something different and something less exciting than what the Boat Bash is known for. It became something more closely resembling that winter... lackluster.
As such, I didn't want to do it this year. I had significant doubts, which were based solely on our 2024 experience.
What if there is no snow?
What if it rains?
What if the event just isn't something people want to spend their time at?
What if we don't have a legit winter and the 2024 experience repeats itself?
And.... [drum roll please]... I couldn't have been more wrong.
This was by far the best Boat Bash we've hosted with our friends, the Franklin Outing Club, at the Veteran Memorial Recreation Area. It had all the excitement of past events, double the racers, more spectators, more skiers, and above all, it showcased our outdoor amenities to the community and visitors. We hope that the event inspired some Franklin pride and demonstrated what is possible when a group of people that find value in us and our work, come together.
[SIDEBAR. "a group of people that find value in us."
Not everyone finds value in us or the work we do. The folks that do reach out for truthful answers to hard local issues, they volunteer, they do the work, they support the positive work we do, they understand how a rising tide lifting all boats (pardon my water pun), they believe in us.]
These people who take their fun seriously, who believe, who show up... they showed up last Saturday and they showed up BIG!
The 2025 Boat Bash:
had the most attendees EVER,
had DOUBLE the number of racers from 2023,
broke demographic barriers with a 74 year old racer and who came with her husband from Florida just for this event (<--- True Story! Jackie and Mike took a vacation from their homestate of Florida to come to New Hampshire for our event! Are you kidding?!?!?!),
was a successful fundraiser for the Vets, as it was the largest grossing day ever, and
also for Mill City Park as the best Boat Bash EVER!
More importantly than any of the measurable metrics was the positive vibe. The event was community focused, inclusive, centered on having fun together and creating smiles and laughter between family, friends, and neighbors.
I was definitely wrong to try and give up on the event because of my previous Boat Bash blues. I took last year's negative experience, and assumed that it would replay this year, as another negative experience. Going a step further, I incorrectly judged and assumed that it wouldn't be worth the risk. This is a mind bug, a conflation, and was obviously incorrect (never heard of a mind bug or conflation, then check this out).
In fact, I was wrong. If you were there, then you know this to be true... The 2025 Boat Bash was the best one we've hosted. And it almost never happened.
It almost never happened because I made a judgement, luckily in this instance I was overridden. Having fun, making memories, and developing relationships will always occur for the people who show up. These are the people that choose to put aside their judgements and conflations and be wholeheartedly present in the moment.
It was an amazing event and nothing short of a great day in Franklin, New Hampshire.
THANK YOUS!
Volunteers! To the 30+ of you between the Vets and Mill City Park. Thank you!
Whether you drove the snowmobile, made snow, registered people, got on the microphone, ushered racers, fed folks, or cleaned the toilets... Thank you! Our organizations go nowhere alone, but we can go anywhere together. Truly, thank you!
Franklin City Councilors Tom Boyce, Leigh Webb, and Delaney Carrier, thank you for attending, for volunteering, and for showing up for our community. You put in the effort expected of the people who represent our great city, and we are proud that you did.
To you, the person who pulled us aside, who gave us grace or gratitude, moments of congratulations, praise, or well wishes. Thank you. Your kindness is needed to keep the fires burning bright, while others try to tear us down.
Sarah, thank you. Your attention to detail, ability to plan and execute with quality work, and hardworking effort don't go unnoticed. We are better when you are involved.
Vets & MCP Board of Directors, thank you both for convincing me this was still worthwhile, and for getting us on a path to execute this event.