By Joe Brandt | For NJ.com

MEDFORD LAKES – Parades in most New Jersey towns are rather traditional. Folding chairs line the streets, marching bands play, and flatbed trucks with floats on top cruise down the road.

Not in Medford Lakes.

For 86 years, the Burlington County town of about 4,000 hosts a summer tradition known as the Canoe Carnival.

Think floats on boats.

This year, a familiar face served as some inspiration — Gov. Chris Christie.

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Courtesy of Mary Conrad



The Hardwick family is known for their past humorous entries and this year, they didn't disappoint. Kent Hardwick chose to poke fun at Gov. Chris Christie with "Son of a Beach," his winning entry in the single-canoe division, referencing Christie's time on a closed beach during the state government shutdown last month.

“This is a hallmark event for the town, and a lot goes into it,” said Gary Miller, the chairman of the Medford Lakes Canoe Carnival Committee. Residents start planning their canoe designs in the winter, with most beginning construction around June. The Canoe Carnival is the conclusion of a series of events in the town that includes the King and Queen ball and pageant, and a contest for the best-decorated lakeside house.

Watch the video below to see Hardwick bring the boat in for a landing.

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Courtesy of Twitter user @CanoeCarnival

"Son of a Beach" by The Hardwick Family

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Here are 9 other amazing floats from this weekend's event

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Courtesy of Joette Ewen

Grand prize winner, "On the Rocks and Off the Wagon"

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Courtesy of Joette Ewen

Jon's Mini Golf, 2nd Prize in Single Canoe Division

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Courtesy of Joette Ewen

Coo-Coo Over Carnival by Medford United Methodist Church

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Video provided by Twitter user @CanoeCarnival

"Party Train!" - First Prize in the Shawnee Division.

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Courtesy of Joette Ewen

"Power of the Dark Side" by Cherokee Tribe

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Courtesy of Joette Ewen

"E.T. Float Home" by Mad Paddlers

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Courtesy of Joette Ewen

"Animal House" by Canoe Kids on the Block

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Courtesy of Joette Ewen

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"Jack and the Beanstalk" by Barely Afloat

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Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jbrandt_nj. Find NJ.com on Facebook