Photos: Tavares Seaplane Fly-In

Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at 01:02 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Tavares, Florida, known as "America's Seaplane City," hosted its eighth annual Seaplane-a-Palooza on Lake Dora.
The event gathered seaplane pilots from across the state for a day filled with activities and competitions.
Competitions included challenges such as shortest takeoff, most accurate landing, and a "best watermelon drop."
Various seaplanes and amphibious aircraft were showcased at the popular annual event.

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Pilots from around the state splashed into Lake Dora in the small central Florida town of Tavares, which bills itself America’s Seaplane City, for the eighth annual Seaplane-a-Palooza over the weekend. Pilots flew in on Sunday morning for a day filled with events and competitions like shortest takeoff, most accurate landing and best watermelon drop.

Check out some of the planes the event attracted below.

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — Onlookers check out a Maule M-7. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A seaplane approaches for a landing on the lake. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — Several experimental planes made a splash at the event. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A Cessna 182 that landed on Lake Dora. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A Searey light sport airplane parked near the lake. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — Murphy Rebel Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — An experimental two-seater. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — Event attendees get a better look at this experimental plane. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — Lake LA-4 Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A Piper Cub makes a landing on the water. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A Lake LA-4 shortly after landing. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — The LA-4 makes its way onto dry land. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — Onlookers showed up early to get a closer look at the seaplanes and amphibious aircraft. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A Lake LA-4 heads toward dry land after splashing into Lake Dora. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A Piper Super Cub looks out at the lake. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A seaplane flies high overhead. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A Cessna 185 tied to a dock at Lake Dora. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — This Searey light sport airplane was the first to arrive Sunday. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — Lake Buccaneer Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — Visitors to Tavares can go for a ride in this Cessna 185 operated by Jones Brothers and Co. Dave Carriere

Tavares Seaplane Fly-in — A wall mural celebrates Tavares’ status as America’s Seaplane City. Dave Carriere

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