Lake Murray parade winner disqualified for ‘offensive’ flag. What did it say?
Lake Murray’s Fourth of July boat parade returned in 2026 after a brief hiatus. It wasn’t without controversy.
The first place winner, Todd Grubbs, was quickly disqualified Sunday for a flag that parade organizers deemed “offensive.” Grubbs told The State it was handled “very wrong.”
The Lake Murray boat parade is an annual event where boaters deck out their vessels in red, white and blue for Independence Day and cruise from Bomb Island to the dam for the chance to win a cash prize. It is sponsored by The Wacky Wednesday Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting The Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter in Lexington County, along with The Spirit of Lake Murray and Lake Murray Boat Tours.
“Following the conclusion of the 4 of July Boat Parade and the initial announcement of the winners, it was brought to our attention the the (sic) vessel awarded first place was flying an offensive flag that does not align with Wacky Wednesday Foundation’s standards,” organizers posted on parade’s Facebook event page.
The judges missed the flag during the live event, organizers wrote. They did not describe the flag.
“This event was designed to be a family friendly occasion for the entire lake community,” organizers wrote. “The initial winning vessel has been disqualified and the prize has been revoked. Subsequent places will move up in the rankings. We take full responsibility for failing to spot this in real time and apologize to our community and fellow boaters who may be upset by this oversight.”
Grubbs told The State he wasn’t there to win or collect a prize, his was just “living his life” and “trying to keep a good sense of humor.” But he said he and his family were insulted under an online post, he said. By the time it was removed, “the damage was done.”
Grubbs also took to social media to share his thoughts on his disqualification.
According to a picture posted by Grubbs on Facebook, he flew a flag that read “Show me your butthole,” along with an American flag and a number of other adornments.
Grubbs wrote that the flag offended “some snowflakes,” and said he was exercising his constitutional right to free speech.
“I'm just confused though ... weren’t you born with a butthole!? One said it was trashy, one said kids don’t need to see it,” Grubbs wrote. “I don’t have to support your cause and will proudly fly whatever in the hell I want too on my boat.”
The post has garnered hundreds of comments.
