Another great moment in Pottahawk history

During the great Summer drought of 74' much of the water had receded from the Point and in order to save the blessed event Pottahawk officials dumped 800 tons of coffee beans around the shores of the island. Although the new element made it difficult for boats to navigate, it created a party that lasted for days.

Another great moment in Potthawk history

In 1921 the unusually prohibitive laws of who could attend Pottahawk were relaxed to allow children and...what ever the hell that is to go to the annual event under the proper supervision. In future years the list would be increased to allow animals, reptiles, people of colour, the starting line-up of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers, and finally same sex couples.

Tragic moments in Pottahawk history #7

In 1917 Lieutenant Charles "Stash" Jacotin, tried to buy the island with the intention of abolishing the yearly event and renaming Pottahawk, "Mustache Point". However, Stash was called to war before he could sign the final paperwork and was killed in action with the 2nd Calvary when his left testicle was impaled on a German bayonet. Definitely a tragic moment that proved favourable to the continuation of the annual July Piss-up.

Tragic moments in Pottahawk history #6

Canada's darling Mary-Lou McTaggert, who had set previous Guinness world records for, skipping rope, playing hopscotch and Largest Gumball insertion, decided to use the 1932 Pottahawk as a platform for her newest record assault- Longest time spent sitting on an over sized horseshoe suspended 100 feet above water.

The previous record was held by Norwegian Squeaky Squibbledebop at 7 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes, 21 seconds.

Unfortunate for Mary Lou, the rope holding the apparatus was not constructed from the most durable material. Her weight added to that of the horseshoe, had her tumbling toward her demise after only four seconds into her attempt.

Tragic moments in Pottahawk history #5

It was a sad day back in July of 1951, when organizers of Pottahawk opened up the event for the first time to those willing to sponsor.

The move proved to be disastrous as the KKK stepped in and were the first to pony up the money, going as far as to guarantee a small carnival would be set up on the island for all those to enjoy. When word got out an all-out boycott led a Pottahawk that was attended by only a few hundred white hooded individuals.

The following year, both Coke and Goodyear were turned down in fear of further retribution.

Tragic moments in Pottahawk history #4

The great mud/flood of 86' not only washed out Pottahawk, it made it damn near impossible for people to even get near the event.
After torrential downpours for 39 consecutive days- which left it one short of being labeled "of Biblical proportions," Pottahawk had to be rescheduled to a time when the waters had subsided to a point the celebration could continue. It was the only time in the history of Pottahawk, that it was held in September.

Tragic moments in Pottahawk history #3

With the Roaring 20's well under way, promiscuity and public drunkenness were the focus of the 1926 Pottahawk festivities. So much so that many married women took to protesting the yearly event in hopes of putting an end to the debauchery. However, by 1927 the only thing that had changed was a sudden surge in the divorce rate.

Tragic moments in Pottahawk history #2

It was the turn of the century and Pottahawk was beginning to catch on as one swinging place to party. In an effort to make the festival exclusive, little people were bannished from joining the jocularity. It was widely perceived as; being for their own safety in the, sometimes, waist-deep waters of Pottahawk.

The implementation of this prohibition led to a small riot, (no pun intended), in nearby Turkey Point where many a flower bed was crushed, fire hydrants were defaced and one child's wadding pool was deflated. The law was over turned in time for the very next Pottahawk and eight little people disappeared into the murky waters that year.

Tragic moments in Pottahawk history #1

With Pottahawk just over a month away, it's time to take a look at the history of the blessed drunkfest.

Last year we explored the wondrous history and how it came to be. This year we will focus on the tragic events that marred the celebration, tainting the already piss-tainted waters of the shoreline.

This is all in an effort to remind you, Pottahawk 2010 should be fun, but you should also be safe.



Not many know, but back in 1911 the first MMA event was held at Pottahawk. If you are wondering why the Tapout nation is not welcome in Ontario to this day and why legislation exists to make it so, look no further then that fateful afternoon at Pottahawk when Jiminy "Iron lung" McGeatchie took on Shorty "Roundhouse" Johnson for the MMA title.

Both men fought with passion, dedication and heart, entertaining the masses as the blood flowed and the two slowly drowned.

It was at that time that it was decided, the Octagon should not be submerged in water.

Great moments in Pottahawk history #8

A little known fact about Pottahawk is, there have been several world records recorded at Pottahawk over the years. Perhaps the most infamous record was set by WWI decorated veteran Colonel Jimbo Jack Thompson, who in 1929, drank four kegs of whiskey while holding his breath and submerged beneath the urine tainted waters of Pottahawk.

It was later discovered Colonel Thompson had actually drowned while performing the stunt, but the record still stands as a feat that will never be equalled.

Some say that the waters of Pottahawk actually get its brown hue from the amount of whiskey spilled into the lake that day and if you drink the water you can still taste a faint hint of whiskey.

Great moments in Pottahawk history #7

1994: The gloved one, king of pop Michael Jackson, displays his vocal talents while a guest on a boat called "Young Buoys".

Great moments in Pottahawk history #6

1978: Farah Fawcett shows up to party.

Great moments in Pottahawk history #5

2001 Ed McMahon gets his drunk on and eyes the ladies.

Great moments in Pottahawk history #4

The first wedding ever to happen at Pottahawk was in 1901, or as the Old-timers called it 19 aught 1.

Graham Handcock and Edna Spunkmyre tied the knot on the shores of Pottahawk that fateful day in July. The infamous Handcock-Spunkmyre union lasted only 41 minutes when Mr. Handcock's new bride ran away with the photographer who took the photo Dr. Colonel "Tex" Obenhymen.

In between taking wedding photos, Obenhymen doubled as a traveling side show salesman selling homemade elixirs. Maybe you've heard of Dr. Bull Horn's Magic Tonic?

It was the turn of the century's answer to Viagra and penis enlargement.

The two set off in a row boat from Pottahawk Point and were never heard from again. Assumed drowned in the high waves, it is said their ghosts still wander the point and can be seen in the reflection of the waters...that is until they turn piss yellow and brown.

Great moments in Pottahawk history #3

Tragedy befalls the 1924 Pottahawk Piss-up festivities after the entire Hamilton Swim Club foolishly decide to try swimming the distance to Pottahawk......from Hamilton.

They drowned in the Welland Canal.

Also the weight of the beer they were carrying didn't help their buoyancy. It was noted the men were all very intoxicated.

The tearful mother of deceased captain Skip Peabody was quoted as saying, "At least my son died with a smile on his face doing what he loved best- serving his teammates."

Great moments in Pottahawk history #1

January 8th, 1997

The attempts to stage a Pottahawk Piss-Up party in the middle of winter fail miserably.

Great moments in Pottahawk history #2

But later that same day the ice-sculpture making competition is a resounding success.

Great moments in Pottahawk history

In 1989 as a tribute to the many great parties at Pottahawk, the region commissioned famed Port Dover artist Chiz Nobly to design a monument that would be placed in the shallow waters near Broken Tree.

Chiz designed and sculpted the above structure for 2.6 million dollars, transported it in pieces in a rubber raft to be reconstructed at the point and secured it in the sands. It was summarily hit by twelve boats the following morning and removed later that evening.

More in the history of Pottahawk

By 1918 yet another attempt to connect party goers with Pottahawk, literally, was started with the construction of the Turkey Point Tunnel- an underwater causeway running from the Turkey Point shoreline to Pottahawk.

However, after a nearly a decade of construction the project was scrapped in 1927 after it was discovered the 80 feet that had been dug was moving in land instead of out to the lake.

The tunnel was filled in and eventually became the site of Craw Daddy's Bar and Grille.

More Pottahawk history

By 1914 many people without boats had become discouraged in their attempts to get to Pottahawk. Many times the barges designated to carry would be party goers sank on the way and caused hundreds to die needlessly.

Then a man by the name of Edward Staletine developed a new breed of super dog who could swim and carry men on their backs. Unfortunately preliminary tests had been conducted with man-sized dummies that weighed only 15 pounds and when it came time to transport real people, the dogs sank as well causing hundreds to die needlessly.