Lakelubbers Newsletter#10 - Nov. 2010
HOLIDAY
BOAT PARADES
|
In Lakelubbers' last newsletter we explored International Lakes. This month we focus our attention on nine lakes with Holiday Boat Parades. What better way to get into the holiday spirit than to view a flotilla of boats all decked out in Christmas lights? Lighted boat parades are much-anticipated holiday traditions on lakes that remain unfrozen during the winter months. Many benefit needy children or raise funds for other charitable purposes. The holiday boat parades that we describe below occur mostly in the warmer southern states of the USA. If we missed your favorite lake below, search online for "boat parade" plus your favorite lake name - to help kick off your holiday festivities. And if your favorite lake doesn't have a holiday boat parade, forward this newsletter - as a 2011 event suggestion - to your local marina, charity, or Chamber of Commerce. - See also: Lakelubbers Newsletter Archive |
Lakelubbers Guide |
Featured Articles
HOLIDAY
BOAT PARADES
2 - Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia: Nov. 27, 2010
3 - Lake Lanier, Georgia: Dec. 4, 2010
4 - Lake Havasu, Arizona & California: Dec. 3 & 4, 2010
5 - Lake Guntersville, Alabama & Tennessee: Dec. 11, 2010
6 - Caddo Lake, Texas & Louisiana: Dec. 19, 2010
7 - Lake Union & Lake Washington, Washington: Nov. 27 - Dec. 23, 2010
8 - Grapevine Lake, Texas: Dec. 4, 2010
9 - Lay Lake, Alabama: Dec. 11, 2010
1 - About Lakelubbers
Lake Lovers Love Lakelubbers! We cover the best vacation lakes in 50 USA states and 60 other countries. For 1,672 lakes (1,355 in the USA) we tell you why you might like to visit, describe lake activities and attractions, identify fish species and nearby parks, and more. We also provide detailed statistics like size, shoreline length, depth, and elevation above sea level. You can find nearby lakes easily, by entering any zip code or city on our homepage. There's more:
- Lake Rentals - to rent a lake house for a weekend or a week, check our growing list of available vacation homes. Owners and real estate agents can advertise lake rentals for just $99/year*.
- Lake Homes for Sale - If you want to buy a lake home, they start below $150,000. Owners and agents can advertise lake homes for just $99/year*.
- Lakelubbers Blog - Our blog features "special" lakes - the largest, the most beautiful, unusual and interesting lakes, and more. The photos are stunning. You can subscribe to the blog to receive updates automatically by email or to your favorite RSS reader.
- Lakelubbers on Facebook - Every other day, we write about interesting and unusual lakes on our fan page on Facebook: World's Best Lakes.
Please visit it, "Like" it, and invite your family and friends to do the same. - Lakelubbers Baseball Cap: If you love lakes, then Lakelubbers Baseball Cap is made just for you. Order one today for $14 postpaid to anywhere in the USA ... and you'll be the envy of your neighborhood.
* The FIRST listing on each lake gets a 50% discount.
2 - Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia: Nov. 27, 2010
<<< Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
20,000-acre Smith Mountain Lake, "Jewel of the Blue Ridge," is located in the foothills of southwest Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. This four-season destination (and Lakelubbers' home base) hosts special events throughout the season, including a Christmas Flotilla for Toys Boat Parade. The paddlewheel cruise boat, the Virginia Dare, heads the grand flotilla of boats that cruise the lake collecting toys to benefit needy children. The convoy of boats, decorated with beautiful lights and playing seasonal music, makes a spectacular start to the holiday season.
3 - Lake Lanier, Georgia: Dec. 4, 2010
38,000-acre Lake Lanier is a premier residential and vacation destination about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta. More than 7.5 million people visit this lake each year to enjoy its scenic waters and diverse recreational activities. The annual Lake Lanier Parade of Lights benefits the UYC Maritime Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes education, safety and sportsmanship in the boating community. Festivities begin with a "Taste of the Lake" celebration at Aqualand Marina. This year's challenge is to top last year's spectacular "Gabriel" boat.
4 - Lake Havasu, Arizona & California: Dec. 3 & 4, 2010
<<< Lake Havasu, Arizona & California
The most recognizable sight around 20,000-acre Lake Havasu is the London Bridge, completely relocated from England in 1971 to this unlikely location straddling the Arizona/California border. Lake Havasu is a recreational, fishing, and boating jewel that's set in an arid desert landscape. The theme for this year's 28th Annual Boat Parade of Lights, sponsored by the London Bridge Yacht Club, is "Toys on Parade." Join the fun as the boats cruise up and down the channel and out into Lake Havasu.
5 - Lake Guntersville, Alabama & Tennessee: Dec. 11, 2010
<<< Lake Guntersville, Alabama & Tennessee
Cradled in the Appalachian foothills, 69,000-acre Lake Guntersville was chosen by Relocate America as one of "The Best Places to Live in America" - and "The Best Lake in Alabama" by Southern Living magazine. The theme for this year's Stars on the Water Boat Parade, sponsored by Guntersville Marina, is "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas." Boats will cruise Guntersville Harbor, accompanied by holiday music. Like many other Christmas boat parades, this one benefits a children's charity - Toys for Tots in this case. Bring a new, unwrapped gift for needy children.
6 - Caddo Lake, Texas & Louisiana: Dec. 19, 2010
<<< Caddo Lake, Texas & Louisiana
26,000-acre Caddo Lake holds the record as the largest natural freshwater lake in the south and the largest cypress forest in the world. Caddo gives the appearance of two waterways: open waters on the Louisiana side, and a primeval maze of jungle-like vegetation draped in Spanish moss on the Texas side. The annual (town of) Uncertain, Texas Floating Christmas Parade takes place each year on the third Sunday in Dec.. Because navigating the labyrinth of cypress trees can be tricky, Caddo Lake's daylight celebration is an afternoon boat parade that starts at Taylor Island.
7 - Lake Union & Lake Washington, Washington: Nov. 27 - Dec. 23, 2010
<<< Lake Washington, Washington
The Lake Washington Ship Canal connects freshwater Lake Washington and Lake Union with saltwater Puget Sound through a series of locks modeled after the Panama Canal. The holiday boat parade and festival have been a lake tradition since 1941, with crowds gathering along the shorelines to view the flotilla of boats. This year's festival kicks off in Lake Union to celebrate the new South Lake Union Park. The Argosy cruise ship, accompanied by area boats, will sail to 45 waterfront communities throughout the festival - with onboard choirs broadcasting through a speaker system. Cruise ticket sales benefit the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy.
8 - Grapevine Lake, Texas: Dec. 4, 2010
Conveniently located near Dallas-Fort Worth, the city of Grapevine was named in 1854 after the wild mustang grapes growing in the area. 6.700-acre Grapevine Lake is a prime destination for leisure and recreational activities such as hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, camping, sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, and jetskiing. This year's Twinkle Light Parade begins at Scott's Landing and ends at Little Pete's. The parade is visible all along the shoreline. Join the holiday cheer at twilight.
9 - Lay Lake, Alabama: Dec. 11, 2010
The livin' is good at 12,000-acre Lay Lake, with some of the best bass fishin' in the South. The annual Christmas Boat Parade is sponsored by the Lay Lake Home Owners and Boat Owners Association and the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce. The parade route begins at Beeswax Creek. Festively decorated boats cruise southward toward the ending point at Okomo Marina. Join in the Christmas spirit at several designated public viewing points along the parade route.
10 - Lake Gaston, North Carolina & Virginia: Nov. 20, 2010
<<< Lake Gaston, North Carolina & Virginia
20,000-acre Lake Gaston, a popular residential and vacation lake, is the middle lake of three lakes created by dams along the Roanoke River. Waters from Kerr Lake flow into Lake Gaston, continuing downstream into smaller Roanoke Rapids Lake. This year's Holiday Boat Parade is sponsored by Morningstar Marina. It begins at Eaton's Ferry Bridge (Littleton, NC) and cruises to Dockside Landing before returning to the marina. Bring an unwrapped toy to benefit needy children.
11 - About This Newsletter
Lakelubbers covers the world's best lakes for vacation and recreation. This newsletter is published nine times per year by Lakelubbers LLC, 325 Waterside Drive, Moneta, Virginia 24121 USA.
Copyright © 2007-2010 Lakelubbers LLC. All rights reserved.
Visit Lakelubbers Today:
http://www.lakelubbers.com