Not sure if it is funny or sad to see how this has changed from a memorial event to a big party with no real mention of the man.  I would bet that fully 50% of last year's attendees had no idea.   

I'd guarantee that at least 50% didn't know WHY it was held on that particular day.


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I was one of the original few guys that got together on that day to remember Tom Papp. I spent many hours at the shop just hanging out and even would help out on the weekends. Tom was one of those guys that would drop everything to help you out or answer your questions, and it didn't matter if you were a long time customer or you just walked in of the street, he was a wealth of knowledge in the boating community.  I was fortunate to know Tom for just a few short years before the boating community lost this legend on January 1st of 2007.  This gathering started out as hand full of guys from the shop that got together to run the boats that Tom built or worked on and to share the stories that we all had of Tom Papp and Tom Papp Racing "The Home Of The Fast Guys" I'm sure there are guys on here that knew him better than I but that's the short reason behind this gathering.

I don't think there's anything wrong with showing up, launching the boat, and being part of the event. I went in 2012 and again 2014. I saw friends, made new ones, and had a great time talking boats with everyone. I don't think anything I was doing is disrespectful in any way to the man's memory. It's a positive event in my eyes. By attending and participating we are keeping this sport alive. I'm going to attend this year as well. I'll see you guys out there!