By By EMILY DREITZLER / Niles Daily Star
NILES - After a decade of service to the community, Tom Majerek has decided to end his reign as chairman of a favorite event among Riverfest attendees, the "Anything That Floats Contest."
In the early years of the raft race, Majerek grew up watching the race gain mass popularity each year among local residents.
As time progressed, Majerek watched as the raft race somehow lost the allure that drew people to it when it first began.
Majerek moved away to Arizona for five years and returned in 1993 only to rediscover his interest in the raft race.
After signing on to help organize the raft race, Majerek began generating ideas on how to improve the event and bring it back to its glory days.
Knowing that local residents lead busy lives and may not have enough time to build a raft themselves, Majerek thought up an idea on how to help those potential participants out.
In 1996, Majerek became the chairman of the "Anything That Floats" raft race.
After a successful year in 1996, Majerek realized that easy accessibility in participating in the raft race is an important component to creating a successful raft race each year.
Since 1996, the raft race has remained a huge success and Majerek has learned to adapt to the changing times and growing technology.
Majerek enjoys many things about the raft race but especially the awards presented to each participating raft.
Along with his many duties as chairman of the raft race, Majerek must also keep the participants safety in mind while still maintaining the excitement and thrill the event brings.
Majerek finds leaving his position as chairman of the raft race to be bittersweet but will continue to serve the community in other ways.
The Riverfest Committee is currently considering turning over the job of chairman to the Boy Scouts of America.
The "Anything that Floats" raft race will be held on Aug. 6 at 2 p.m.