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The day began with a rainbow over Lake Lanier

The Warren Jensen family boat took 1st place

The Wayne Rogers family boat earned 2nd place

The Ellen Goodman family boat was named 3rd place

The Ed Parris family earned 4th place

The Ted Hassold family boat claimed 5th place

A dog was the mascot of this entry

A dog was the mascot of this entry

A dog was the mascot of this entry

A dog was the mascot of this entry

The evening concluded a with spectacular fireworks display

The evening concluded a with spectacular fireworks display

The morning of July 4 started with a rainbow over part of Lake Lanier, but cloudy skies throughout the day did not dampen the plans for 17 decorated family boats that participated in the annual Lake Lanier Boat Parade.  

The parade, a longtime tradition started at the Joyce family boat dock (formerly known as the Tea House dock), includes each boater receiving a numbered paddle used to document the participants for judges to pick winners. The judges were located at the neighboring dock owned by the Grant Burns family who volunteered to judge along with two more non-family volunteers, Brad and Holly Hollifield.

Captain Grant Burns, in his new pontoon boat aptly named Tea Party, steered the parade around the three basins. Neighbors who enjoyed the parade participated by decorating docks and applauding the boats as they passed by. Judges noted four dogs that were mascots on their boats truly made it difficult to decide the winners!

Southside Smokehouse & Grill, Side Street Pizza, Hare & Hound Restaurant, Buck’s Pizza and Iron Key Brewery generously provided gift certificates for the winners.  

Organizers thanked the Joyce family for sharing their beautifully decorated boathouse and dock, making the passing of the paddles an easy process.

The Lake Lanier bridge over the dam was also decked out in celebration. In addition to a touch of “nature’s own fireworks,” the day ended with a spectacular fireworks display.

The Warren Jensen family claimed first place with their entry, which featured a large American birthday cake. The Wayne Rogers family earned second place, followed by the Ellen Goodman family, the Ed Parris and Gail DePriest family and the Ted Hassold family.

Submitted by Carol Foreman Whaley

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