"The cruise to Lafayette was awesome! The Quiatenon Sportsmen's Club were super hosts and the cookout and breakfast were most appreciated. The banners, refreshment stops and folks cheering from the river bank all along the way really added to the festivities. The Sycamore Chevy folks who hauled our camping gear and extra fuel sure made the trip even more enjoyable. The radio folks stuck with us all the way, and what great insurance that was! Those of us who cruised all the way up and back could not thank enough all who made this possible!" -- H. HAROLD CARTER, Georgia

The World Hovercraft Week Grand Opening and Cruise brought hundreds of spectators and 63 hovercraft from several nations to Fairbanks Park. 47 of those craft took to the Wabash for the 110-mile trek upriver. Communities all along the way had parties and welcoming ceremonies for the cruisers. In Montezuma, 26 miles into the cruise, the Montezuma Volunteer Committee welcomed the group to a very large park, much like a golf course, with lots of undulations. Food and drinks were served, and cruisers gave rides to the very excited spectators. On the return trip, the Sheriff of Montezuma boarded everyone on a school bus to take them into town where they were treated to a great meal. He expressed numerous times his hope that the event would happen again next year! In Perrysville, total population of 500, 450 residents awaited in a large park where a huge tent was set up with free food and drinks. Everyone wanted autographs and the cruisers were treated like celebrities! In Lafayette, a reception was given by the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Indiana Department of Tourism. By 6 pm, the voyagers returned five miles downstream to the Quiatenon Sportsman's Club, where a grand reception was in full swing with a huge campfire, a fine campground and all the food and drinks anyone could imagine! Receptions continued on Monday's return trip, and both cruisers and townspeople were thrilled with the entire project. (Photography: Mike Lanke; Nick Jokay)