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Fifty years after her father pioneered boat racing along the Atchafalaya River, Marie Siracusa continues the tradition.
The Morgan City Power Boat Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary with its Waves of Thunder Powerboat Races July 6-8. Before its incorporation in 1962, the races were held on the Atchafalaya River; today they are held on Lake Palourde.
“My dad started the races in this area and racing on Atchafalaya with the mayor in the 40’s and 50’s and organized the first race July 2, 1958,” said Siracusa, an active officer of the association. “It was my third birthday and I’ve been around it ever since.”
Now, Siracusa handles the race every year, and has for quite some time. It’s been difficult to get the right people with the knowledge of the sport involved in planning.
“It’s not like my hope in life was to be commodore to put races together,” said Siracusa. “But right now I’m the only one left who has enough knowledge to do it.”
The association and its races keep her busy as she tries to balance that along with running her own flower shop in the city, Flower Fashions. Last year, Siracusa had more help as the Morgan City Power Boat Association and the New Orleans Power Boat Association hosted the race together, but this year has proven slightly more difficult without the joint venture.
The Morgan City Power Boat Association is a part of the American Power Boat Association, which sanctions the Waves of Thunder races. The event is comprised of four separate races, divided by category of outdoor boat. Each race consists of 10 racers; the winners receive prize money and a plaque.
“Usually the old course was one mile and a quarter,” said Siracusa. “The course at Lake Palourde is about the same and runs on a square course.”
Siracusa claims that the turn-out is usually strong, and she expects the same this year.
“We fill up the whole spectator area at the lake,” said Siracusa. “The most entertaining part is the race itself. But, we don’t just have the race going on after; we have free entertainment, and the mayor has moved the fireworks to the Saturday night when we have the band there.”
Guests enjoy the entertaining races as well as each other’s company. Festivities begin at noon and end at dusk. Booths are set up for entertainment, drinks, food and fun.
The Waves of Thunder races run from July 6-8. Admission is $10, and the event features live music and entertainment options
