Float your boat light spectacular set for 22-23 June
by Kate Davies 15 Jun 2018 00:20 UTC
22-23 June 2018
Float your boat 2017 © Kate Davies
Lake Macquarie will come aglow with a spectacular parade of illuminated vessels later this month as the Float Your Boat Festival cruises into action.
More than two dozen boats have already registered for the two-night festival, where owners of boats big and small will cover their decks, masts and everything else above water with LED lights and shining sculptures.
Thousands of spectators lined the shore of Lake Macquarie for last year's event to see boats in a rainbow of colour motor south from Marmong Point Marina.
"Lake Macquarie is beautiful at night – the perfect stage to host a unique and creative festival of lights," Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said.
"The beauty of Float Your Boat is that it's this incredible, mobile display, so whether you are at Warners Bay or Wangi Wangi, you'll be able to enjoy the show."
The first parade begins on Friday, 22 June with a 5pm launch event at Marmong Point Marina, prior to the boats setting sail at 6pm.
From there, the flotilla will skirt the western edge of the lake, passing Toronto and Coal Point on their way to Wangi Wangi.
The best vantage spots for Friday's parade include Marmong Point, Toronto, Coal Point, Fishing Point and the Arcadia Reserve playground.
A foreshore livesite at Toronto from 5.30pm-8.30pm will feature a DJ, food stalls, free kids' activities and face-painting, while a second foreshore livesite at Wangi Wangi will run from 7pm-9pm and feature a free street barbecue, live music and face painting.
On Saturday, 23 June, the parade will set sail at 6pm from Marmong Point Marina, heading north towards Booragul before crossing the lake and skirting its western edge from Warners Bay to Belmont.
The best Saturday vantage points include Five Islands Road, Speers Point, the Red Bluff walkway, Warners Bay and Eleebana.
Saturday's onshore activities include the 5pm launch of the Creative LAKE Sculpture installations at Warners Bay, Eleebana and Speers Point, and a foreshore livesite at Warners Bay from 5pm-8pm.
The Warners Bay livesite will include fire twirling, food stalls, live music, fireworks and hula hoop workshops.
Registration to take part in the Float Your Boat parade is free and can be completed via Council's website: lakemac.com.au.
Cash prizes are up for grabs for best-dressed boats, including a $2000 People's Choice Award, a $1000 Mayor's Best Boat Award for vessels 10m and over, and a $1000 Mayor's Best Boat Award for vessels 5m and over.
A $1500 Lake Macquarie boat cruise, courtesy of Jet Buzz Water Sports, is also on offer for the best photo posted to social media from the event, either tagged with #fyb2018 or posted directly to Council's social channels.
Float Your Boat is sponsored by Marmong Point Marina, Belmont 16s and the Esplanade Motel.
For more information visit lakemac.com.au/float-your-boat