Thousands blow off steam (and work) at lake party, Detroit News Article Friday, June 27, 2008 Options

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Thousands blow off steam (and work) at lake party
Charlie LeDuff / The Detroit News


Thousands line the shore of Gull Island for Jobbie Nooner on Friday. Boats of all sizes formed their own islands for this massive party.


ABOARD A PATROL BOAT OFF GULL ISLAND -- It happens twice a year, this thing known as Jobbie Nooner.

Once in June and once in late summer, thousands of partiers congregate by boat around a spit of an island in the green waters of Lake St. Clair for an impromptu party celebrating absolutely nothing. It is a decidedly working-class event, started two decades about by a group of autoworkers skipping out of a half-day's work before the traditional July shut down of the factories. Thus the name Jobbie Nooner.

Some in the multitude this morning proudly referred to the occasion as the Redneck Riviera, the Mullet Mediterranean, a floating Mardi Gras of debauchery and inhibition with a decidedly Michigan flavor. Or more specifically, a Macomb and St. Clair County flavor. There were perhaps 10,000 people drinking by noon.

"It's blue-collar," said Brian Lamb, a 48-year-old teamster who works in a chemical plant in Port Huron. Times are tough, Lamb said: he is navigating through a divorce, gas prices are through the roof and Wall Street investments are in the toilet.

Like thousands of others, he called in sick, came here and spent money he shouldn't.

"Ah well. You've got to blow off some steam," he reasoned.

The scene was of Midwestern, Middle Class consumption -- ranging from large powerboats to pontoons to lunch-pail skiffs. There was the smell of mud and marijuana and cigars, champagne and beer and bratwurst. A few wore nothing, some wore love handles, many wore bikinis.

There were all manner of bikinis, more bikinis than a Venice Beach surf shop: itsy bitsy, strapless, plunging, tiger-striped, polka-dotted, pink, vermillion, lime green, electric green and so on. Some women kissed each other. Others displayed their naked cleavage for anyone willing to look. Some wise guy subjected the party to his bad karaoke. A thousand strong danced to house music on the shores of Gull Island.

Mark A. Hackel, the Macomb County sheriff, happened by on a watercraft. His good hair and nice teeth gave him the appearance of a soap opera doctor. He seemed to be enjoying himself. And despite the wind and the water, his hair remained neatly in place.

"There is a lot of drinking and a lot of exposure of the body that goes on in there, which is of course illegal," the sheriff said. "But for the most part, it's peaceful."

And then like the uninvited guest who ruins the party, thunder clouds began to roll in.


Source

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"the Redneck Riviera, the Mullet Mediterranean"