The Okauchee Lake Boat Tie-up, dubbed Wisconsin’s Biggest Floating party, is an annual ritual held the last Saturday of July.  I’ve lived in Lake Country almost 13 years and have heard about it, but have never taken part. Personally, I know just a few who have been there/done that.

This is what I know from talking to actual water partiers. Beginning at 9am, boaters go out to Party Island on Okauchee Lake, tie their boats together and party.  I’m told it’s a very friendly atmosphere and a great way to make new friends.  There is some etiquette involved. Boats are hooked up to each other, but you must ask the other boaters if you can hook up and you help the other boat out when needed.  When you tie up next to each other, and walk across boats, you have to ask first before crossing.  Boats tie up near shore and the island, so there is a channel for other boats to pass through.  There is no nudity and no fighting.  The end time is sketchy, but it’s late.

 The days before, social websites like Facebook, are ablaze with postings from people anticipating this massive party on water. There are even a few groups devoted to it on MySpace and Facebook —I even found a video on YouTube from the 2008 boat tie-up!  It’s a very highly attended event, although reports from some attendees say there were way fewer boats than usual this year.

 A total of four municipalities patrol the lake and, while I’m not sure about this years’ stats, last year there were 65 citations and 18 intoxicated arrests made. Tremendous amounts of booze and water usually aren’t a good combination, but done responsibly it could work.  Does it? Check it out for yourself and see!