Planning for the 2013 Redneck Regatta at Ruth Lake Park on Aug. 10 got started in the spring of 2012.
Cindy Whitehead, who is a Forest Grove 94 Lions Club member, came up with the idea for the regatta at a Lions Club brainstorming session.
Cindy says she remembered Nanaimo had silly boat races and felt something like that was doable at Ruth Lake.
The Forest Grove 94 Lions Club was trying to come up with a fundraising idea to pay for improvements at the Ruth Lake Park and to also donate money for other causes.
The club did have the Garlic Festival as a fundraiser at one time, but that has since moved to Lac la Hache, so they had to find another event to sponsor.
Cindy notes the Lions still offer their services for a safe ride home for weddings and parties, but they needed to find a bigger challenge.
After all of Cindy's organization and the volunteer work but in by the club members and others, it appears they were right on the money with this year's event.
The Redneck Regatta was very well received and everyone who came to watch the races had very positive things to say about the whole event.
All the comments have been taken into account, Cindy adds, and some new things will take place next year.
For instance, less time will be allotted to the boat building and there will be more events for children.
The theme will be more redneck and less nautical or pirate-themed, she adds.
There have been other new ideas submitted, but the Lions don't want to give up all their secrets. Folks will have to come out and see for themselves next year.
The "Haystacks" Cindy had in the concession were delicious. Next year, Cindy says she hopes to add a couple of other things to the menu, but at this point they haven't decided on anything.
As it is a Redneck weekend, the Lions Club and the Forest Grove Legion want to join forces and make it a weekend to remember.
Folks might just see Redneck bumper stickers in the near future or even a Redneck Drive-in might pop up.
Cindy says she hopes to have Redneck Regatta team information packs available by May 2014, so she has a better idea of how many teams will be competing.
"I was thrilled with this year's races and attendance and I hopes that next year will be bigger and better."
After this year's races, the competitors could be heard talking about what their plans were for next year.