The Fourth of July weekend in Lake Worth Beach featured spirited competition during the annual Great American Raft Race, a long-standing tradition where residents and neighbors from various neighborhoods built their own floats to navigate the Intracoastal Waterway. CBS12 reports that the event, organized by the Neighborhood Association Presidents' Council (NAPC), highlighted community creativity and unity with themes such as "Summer Camp! This one time at raft race!"
Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Mimi May called on residents to join the festivities and emphasized the homemade aspect of the race, saying "Each neighborhood can make a raft. You cannot, you cannot buy a boat. You have to make it yourself," CBS12 quoted. The event concluded with a variety of celebrations, featuring live music, food vendors serving seasonal favorites, an active Kids' Zone, and a fireworks display in the evening to mark Independence Day.
According to WPBF, the organizers noted that this yearly race serves not only as a showcase of neighborly craftsmanship but also as a binding moment of celebration for the Lake Worth Beach life. This year, the Tropical Ridge neighborhood claimed the top spot, bringing a sense of local pride to the festive competition.
The Great American Raft Race featured participation from residents across Lake Worth Beach, who launched handcrafted rafts as part of the scheduled activities. The event included coordinated efforts from multiple neighborhoods and took place throughout the day.
