Duct tape, corrugated cardboard, and pure determination proved to be a wild mix at Mc-Gee Creek State Park as the annual Redneck Regatta pulled in its biggest crowd yet. With more than 60 handmade vessels taking to the waves, the shoreline was packed with spectators cheering on every heroic voyage, and ev- ery glorious, inevitable sink.
The expanded roster brought out incredible community spirit and plenty of garage-engineered marvels. Mike Pense, youth pastor at Round Up Cowboy Church in Antlers, turned his garage into a full-scale shipyard in the weeks leading up to the event, helping build boats for over 20 local kids who entered the race.
Among the standout entries was 'Eddie’s Ducklings,' a custom-decorated vessel created in honor of Eddie Watson, who is navigating late-stage kidney failure. With Watson cheering from a canopy on the shore, crew members Debbie Watson, Minoka Forcelle, Melissa Impson, and Misty Martinez took to the water in matching duck shorts, proving that family teamwork can tackle anything. Their eye-catching boat sailed away with Most Creative honors in the 21 & Over division.
