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Every summer, as July 4th approaches, Avalon boatowners line up for the traditional boat parade. Boaters celebrate this annual tradition by decking out their vessels in patriotic colors and cruising through the Avalon basins. This year’s parade, set for Wednesday, July 3 at 6:30pm, promises to be a vibrant display of red, white, and blue, with boats festively adorned for the occasion.
Especially that last boat, the one everyone is waiting for - as t-shirts are launched into the air toward onlookers throughout the parade route. The tradition kicks off with The Sudell Team of Ferguson Dechert Real Estate manning the “Outnumbered” as the final boat in the parade, fully stocked with 5,000 official July 4th t-shirts. If you’re lucky enough to catch one, you are part of a tradition that is then sported throughout town for the remainder of summer.
Did you miss catching one during the boat parade? Fear not! This tradition not only brings a sense of celebration to Avalon but also supports the local community. The Avalon/Stone Harbor Elementary School PTC will sell a second set of t-shirts at the Avalon Uncle Bill’s from July 4 through July 7 from 8-11am. Proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts will benefit the PTC as it works to fund student activities and scholarships for the next school year.
The distribution of these free t-shirts, courtesy of ACE Screen Printing and the Szyfman family began in 2009. It started as a fun addition to the parade by the Szyfmans and their shore house friends, including Dave Baxter and children Amanda, Blake and Hannah, and Stephanie and Bill Zednick, and has since grown into a town-wide tradition of t-shirt-throwing madness. The Core Crew decided it would be fun to throw t-shirts to parade onlookers. This attempt came at the surprise of the Avalon Police Department, which promptly issued a ticket for projectiles in the parade! After many persistent years (and many fines), the Core Crew and the Chief came to an agreement: the shirts could be thrown manually and the crew had to promise to scoop the missed ones so they didn't sink into the bay. With these agreeable terms, and a much friendlier relationship, the fun continued and was now a welcome aspect to the boat parade.
The Core Crew continued all the way up until 2020, when the world came to a grinding halt. But again, this persistent group carried forward with a skeleton crew of friends with a few additions traveling by boat through the channels (without the fanfare of a parade) to quietly toss tees - a socially distanced, one-boat parade. Because the show must go on and the tees must continue!
As the popularity of the t-shirts continued to grow, so did the need for a larger boat and more arms to throw. Thus the addition of The Sudell Team and their boat, the "Outnumbered." And what started as some friendly shenanigans in 2009, has since grown substantially into a family event with school students, friends, and business colleagues working together to toss thousands of tees each year. Many local businesses now donate to be featured on the back of the t-shirts, helping to cover costs for the initiative.
In recent years, the designs of these t-shirts hold a special significance, as they are both designed and distributed by local students from Avalon/Stone Harbor Elementary School. Students have a drawing contest each spring, and the winning design graces the shirts each summer.
This year’s design, one of I Heart’s favorites so far, was created by Benj Davis, a soon-to-be 6th grader at Avalon Elementary. Growing up in Avalon, Benj has always been a part of the local community. He surfs competitively, snowboards, skateboards, and plays lacrosse and basketball. When he’s not on the waves or at school, you can find Benj hanging out with his friends around town, soaking up everything Avalon has to offer. His design, highlighting the waves and Avalon’s iconic fishing pier captures his love for the beach…and Avalon.
In 2023, the crew noticed that the tees that didn't quite make it to the docks were sinking quickly. Not to be deterred, the Szyfmans, with the help of the Stone Harbor 2nd grade class and their teacher, Mr. Millevoi (a fisherman himself), did some science. The class tested multiple t-shirts and measured how long each took to sink. This year's parade features a new and more buoyant version of the popular tee, ensuring they stay afloat longer.
So - look for the “Outnumbered” anchoring the boat parade this year, or listen for it as it draws near and the frenzy begins.
Collecting these annual t-shirts has become a beloved tradition for many, similar to collecting the seasonal beach tags. Each year features a new design, marking the summers as they pass and creating lasting memories with friends and family on Avalon’s beaches. The t-shirts are a tangible reminder of summers spent on the 7 Mile Island, with this year’s representing the best summer yet. Cheers to summer 2024 - and happy July 4th!
Donate to the Avalon/Stone Harbor PTC and keep this fun tradition going for years to come.
What began as a fun idea among friends, with countless hours spent folding and tossing t-shirts, has grown into a massive, much-loved tradition for the entire town. The hard work and dedication of the Core Crew have turned these friendly shenanigans into a family event that everyone in Avalon looks forward to each year. Their commitment has made the t-shirt toss an integral part of the July 4th celebrations, bringing joy (and style) to the island.
