(WWJ) Fans of the annual bacchanal on the water known as Jobbie Nooner -- an event where boats, booze and nudity mix into a heady cocktail -- are saying the show will go on despite coronavirus.
While health officials urge the public to maintain social distance and wear masks in public to avoid the spread of COVID-19, supporters of the event where people raft off into a massive floating party say as long as the Sheriff's Department doesn't shut it down, it'll happen June 26.
The event's website says, "The Mardi Gras of the Midwest is back for the 46th year. Every year the event draws more and more people! Make plans early so you don’t miss it!"
"What with the Coronavirus pandemic, lockdown, and all is Jobbie Nooner still going on in 2020????" an event promoter posted on Facebook. "The short answer is yes."
Nearly 200 people have market themselves as interested in the event on Facebook and another 300 have indicated they will attend.
The support arm of the event is known as the Jobbie Crew, and on their website a supporter urged people to come out in a way that's respectful to law enforcement. They also noted it's nearly impossible to shut down a massive boat party on the scale of Jobbie Nooner.
"These boat parties are ridiculously big and fun, I mean we’re talking 60-100K plus people at each one. The Jobbie Crew supports law enforcement & the military 100%. Please do not give them a hard time. If you’re cool, they’re cool. If you get out of line, they rightfully will do whatever they have to do to keep the peace.
"There is no way, even with dozens of various departments, that they have the budget, resources, or manpower to shut down boat parties, especially on a lake the size of Lake St. Clair, which is one of the biggest lakes in America. So please recognize that all the law enforcement agencies on LSC struggle with having an over-sized mandate of keeping this huge lake safe and in reality, only a very limited capacity to carry it out."
Deputy Steve Campau, a spokesman for of the St. Clair Sheriff's Office told freep.com, "The thing is, it's kind of an unmanageable event, and we have not endorsed it — ever. Our goal — and it has been for years — is to keep people alive."