Ep 11. Thousands of Drunk Canoeists

Thousands of Drunk Canoeists is the eleventh episode of the sixth season of Art Mann Presents. In this episode, Art Mann takes us to a place where alcohol and adventure meet: the annual Tippicanoe River Float.

Art Mann starts the episode off by explaining the basics of the Tippicanoe River Float, an event that takes place every summer in Buffalo, Indiana. The premise is simple: thousands of people get into canoes, kayaks, and other floatation devices, and spend a day floating down the river, stopping at sandbars to drink, party, and socialize.

Art Mann's mission for the day is to document the event in all its drunken glory. He hops from one group of floaters to the next, capturing moments of revelry and debauchery as they happen. We see people singing, dancing, and generally having a good time, all while completely sloshed.

One of the recurring themes of the episode is the creative ways that people transport their alcohol down the river. We see people with inflatable coolers, waterproof bags filled with beer, margarita machines, and even a homemade contraption called the "Booze Cruise", which is essentially a floating bar powered by a lawnmower engine.

Throughout the episode, Art Mann also introduces us to some of the more colorful characters he encounters on the river. There's a man who calls himself the "Mayor of the Sandbar", who has his own custom-made flag and takes it upon himself to organize games and activities for the other floaters. There's also a group of guys dressed as pirates, complete with a floating pirate ship and a cannon that shoots water instead of cannonballs.

But as fun as the Tippicanoe River Float may be, it's not without its risks. Art Mann interviews a few people who have fallen out of their boats or gotten injured in the past, and the episode includes some footage of rescue crews pulling stranded floaters out of the water.

At one point, Art Mann hops on a jet ski and takes us down the river at high speed, showing us the chaos from a different perspective. We see people falling out of their boats, getting into arguments, and generally treating the river like one big drunken playground.

Towards the end of the episode, Art Mann takes us back to the Mayor of the Sandbar's campsite, where things have started to wind down for the day. We see people passed out in their tents, others slumped over in their chairs, and a few die-hard partiers still drinking and dancing. As Art Mann signs off for the day, he leaves us with a final image of a lone canoeist drifting down the river, his paddle lazily dipping into the water.

Overall, Thousands of Drunk Canoeists is a wild ride that captures the essence of what makes the Tippicanoe River Float such a unique event. It's hard not to be swept up in the energy and excitement of the floaters, even as you cringe at some of the more reckless behavior. Art Mann does an excellent job of showcasing the highs and lows of the event, and his irreverent narration adds a layer of humor to the proceedings. Whether you've never heard of the Tippicanoe River Float or you're a veteran floater yourself, this episode is sure to entertain.