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Lanier’s Boat
Parade of Lights benefits Toys for Tots
By Pamela A. Keene
Organizers hope that this year’s
Boat Parade of Lights will set the gold standard for holiday boat
parades in the Southeast. Now in its second year, the Boat Parade of
Lights is open to all boaters.
“This is a holiday standard on
many lakes across the country,” said Buddy Meeks, organizer of the
Boat Parade of Lights. “Because Lake Lanier is one of the largest
and most-visited Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation, we really
should have a big turnout for our boat parade and start a holiday
tradition here in northeast Georgia.”
Last year, the boat parade came
together in mid-November as a combination of parades hosted by
Marine Max and University Yacht Club. This year, organizers have
been working for the past 10 months to develop an operations plan to
manage a large number of boats and provide areas for the public to
watch the parade from shore. At this point, both Van Pugh North and
Big Creek parks will be open to watch the parade; park fees apply.
Advance registration for the
parade is recommended. A mandatory skippers’ meeting will be held at
3 p.m. on Saturday, December 9, to provide detailed information
about marshaling and operations details. Late registrations will be
accepted at that time. The meeting will also include holiday
refreshments.
The Lake Lanier Boat Parade of
Lights is an annual parade of boats decorated for the holiday
season. Boats of all sizes participate – from small runabouts to
houseboats. The boats assemble following the skippers’ meeting in
the south main channel off Aqualand at 4:30 p.m. and the parade
typically runs up and down the main channel of the southern portion
of Lanier.
“The Coast Guard Auxiliary will
be assisting with parade preparations to help ensure a safe event,”
Meeks said. “They will provide spotter boats to help guide around
shallow waters and assist with marshaling.”
Prizes will be awarded in the
following categories: Best Overall, Best Cruiser, Best Houseboat
over 55 feet, Best Houseboat under 55 feet, Sailboat and
Runabout/Pontoon.
“A night boat parade can be
spectacular,” Meeks said. “We’re lining up local businesses to
sponsor the event and the proceeds will be donated to the UYC
Maritime Foundation to fund future charitable and boating education
programs.”
The newly formed UYC Maritime
Foundation is an independent 501(C) 3 non-profit organization on
Lanier. Donations may be tax-deductible.
“The UYC Maritime Foundation is
excited about its sponsorship of the upcoming Parade of Lights,”
said Philip Eastman, president of the foundation. “As a marine
charity, we can use functions like the Lake Lanier Boat Parade of
Lights to teach boating safety and education while providing
pleasure to the participants. The added bonus is the tax deductible
benefits for the contributors, not to mention the gifts for Toys for
Tots, this year’s beneficiary. You will see the foundation
performing other charitable works on Lake Lanier in the months
ahead.”
Additionally, the group has
partnered with Toys for Tots, the annual US Marine Corps toy drive,
to collect new unwrapped Christmas gifts for children.
“There’s even a special prize
for the boat that brings in the most toys,” Meeks said. “It’s called
‘The one with the most toys wins,’ and the skipper of the boat will
receive special recognition.”
Toy donations are not a
prerequisite to entering the Boat Parade of Lights, although Meeks
said that it’s a great way to share the holiday spirit. There is a
$10 per boat entry fee to help defray costs of the boat parade.
Applications will be available at West Marine, area marinas and at
A2Z Signs on Friendship Road. An application is also available in
this issue of Lakeside on Lanier.
“We’ve been planning since last
Christmas,” said Buddy Meeks, event organizer. “The event is
designed to promote safe boating, provide fun for the whole family
and celebrate the spirit of the holidays.”
Skippers are encouraged to have
an operating VHF radio (broadcast frequency will be announced at the
skippers’ meeting), and all proper safety equipment, including
personal flotation devices/life jackets for each person on the boat.
“West Marine on Friendship Road
has agreed to give an additional 30 percent off on December 9 only
for any registered skipper to purchase a fire extinguisher,” Meeks
said.
For more information call Meeks
at 770-597-6589.
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