Thursday, October 1, 2026
Freeport celebrated the 50th year of its Great Canoe Race at Cow Meadow Park last weekend, drawing residents from all over to take part in the festivities. There were six heats of paddling on the water, with more than 100 people either competing or spectating.
Last Sunday’s event was held on Aug. 2, and was led by Village Court Associate Justice Susan Lyons, who has been a canoe racer or organizer for decades. Before the races began, Lyons emphasized the tradition's significance.
“It’s important to me,” she said, “because I want to see the village get together and incorporate all villagers into community events.”
More than 70 two- or three-member teams competed in the surrounding South Shore waters, and 18 celebrated finishing in the top three in their heat. One special race in addition to the heats was a race pitting the Fire Department against the Police Department. Those who preferred to stay on dry land enjoyed food, a dunk tank with village dignitaries and a DJ.
In the first heat, Joe and Adam Riverzo and Tucker Williams finished first, ahead of Doug McKeon and Oscar Rivera, of the Irish Pub in Baldwin, and third-place finishers Rich Lewis and Vildan Manzo.
In the second heat, LJ and Jack Williams came away on top, followed by Rich Lewis and Tony Vecchios in second, and Bobby and Carter Okul in third.
Ann Klotsche and Tommy Summerall, who represented Otto’s Sea Grill in Freeport, were the winners of the third heat, followed by the second-place team of Nick and Anera Macaluso, and third-place finishers Christine and Sarah Ettinger and Trinity Piretti.
Vecchios and Manzo improved on their previous heats by finishing first in the fourth heat. The Okul family rounded out the top finishers, with Robert, Hudson and Keegan Okul finishing second, and Rachel and Carter Okul placing third.
In the children’s heat, Brianna Cody, Valeria Zuluaga and LJ Rodriguez were the winners. Carter and Keegan Okul and James Casey finished second, ahead of fellow multi-top-three finishers Sarah Ettinger and Piretti in third.
Tom and Jackie Casey finished first in the final heat, ahead of second-place Mary Ellen Carroll and Tucker Williams, and James and Mike Carver in third.
Jeremy Holin and Jeanne Jordan, who represented Jeremy’s Ale House in Freeport, were given a special honorable mention for finishing without capsizing.
Ken Dookram, one of the event’s organizers, who assisted racers in the water, described the event as “definitely one of the best ones we’ve ever done.”
Village trustee and fellow race organizer Jacques Butler agreed, adding that he hoped to see even more participation in the future, especially by children.
“Every year we just make it a little bit better, and it’s becoming that much more festive,” Butler said. “I would like to see hundreds of kids that have never experienced nautical marine life participate in the great event.”
