It could be the most relaxing historical moment ever: the first ever Big Float at Manitou Beach is hoping to set the record for the most people floating on Little Manitou Lake at once.
This is the first time anyone has attempted to organize a mass floating at Manitou Beach, but organizers are hoping to see people slap on some waterproof sunscreen and join them on the main beach on July 13.
The official group float will commence at 2 p.m., but participants are encouraged to show up early to mark down their names for the final headcount — it's not a record without one, of course.
Once the buoyant masses are situated in the water, someone will snap a few photos as proof and floaters can relax in the lake however they like.
Brendan Manz, Community Development Officer at Manitou Beach Tourism, is excited about the inaugural float. It was planned as one of the many events commemorating Manitou Beach’s centennial.
“We thought, hey, we have a very unique lake here,” said Manz. “So, why not just invite everybody out and get as many people in the lake as possible?”
Manz and the team of organizers for the Big Float are looking to set a record for Manitou Beach rather than a world record, because the current number to beat is in the range of 2,000, according to the Guinness World Records website.
“We don't know if we're going to get 500 people or 5,000,” said Manz. “We have really no way to prepare for either, so we'll just have to see what happens, but we're looking forward to it.”
Mostly, the Big Float is meant as a fun way to entice people out to Manitou Beach, to experience the unique properties of the mineral water, and check out the other tourist spots in the area.
“It's just a good chance for people who haven't been out to Manitou Beach before to be a part of this, and it's just a showcase of what makes us unique: the lake itself and the floating properties and the healing properties of our water,” said Manz.
Although, this could be the first iteration of an annual float and a chance to be part of a historical photo — who doesn’t love being a part of history?
