With almost 35 entries in this year's Parade of Lights, Canyon Lakers and their guests at waterfront homes and parks along the parade route had plenty to cheer about last Saturday as twinkling boat floats passed through the waterways of the community. Veteran boat decorators as well as newcomers won prizes offered by the Yacht Club.

In all, there were 20 registered boats and quite a few entries that didn't register. Parade Chair Terry O'Rourke says some of the boats participating in the parade that weren't registered could have won awards if they had been registered. He encourages everyone to start planning ahead for next year while decorating ideas are still fresh. The Yacht Club announced winners as follows:

Sweepstake – Frosty the Snowman by Tim Janes

Judges Award – Wake-boarding Santa by the Wakeboard Club

Commodore’s Award – Flying Reindeer by Craig Phillips

Private Pontoon Boats:

First Place – Angry Birds Game by Tom Janke

Second Place – Avatar by Greg Cassidy

Third Place – Santa Fishing by Steve Evarts

Private Open Ski Boats:

First Place – Big Red Fire Engine by Tim Cascario

Second Place – Pink Flamingo by Tom Janke

Third Place – Musical Christmas Tree by Tim Pouncy

Club/Civic/Commercial:

First Place – Reason for the Season by Canyon Lake Bible Fellowship

Second Place – Royal Court Holiday Wish by Canyon Lake Royal Court

Third Place – Wakeboard Boat with Lights by Wakeboard Club

After taking a few years off from doing the Boat Parade, the Janes family decided it was time to give it another try with “Frosty the Snowman,” winner of the sweepstakes award. Tim says his family baked hot sand in the oven and used it to bend PVC sprinkler pipe to make Frosty’s 20-foot tall body.

Tim says he was able to lower Frosty for the Causeway tunnel by using a pulley system attached to a sailboat mast. Frosty towed three smaller, lighted boats, making this the longest boat parade entry the Janes have ever attempted. Two generators were used to power approximately 5,000 individual lights on the boats. This is the 4th time the Hanes have won sweepstakes, tying the record with the Janke family (“Angry Birds”), who live directly across the Lake. 

"We always have fun every year trying to figure out what the Jankes are up to," says Tim, adding, "We wish a special thanks to all the friends who helped with our entry."

Also excited about winning were Steve and Ruth Martin, who took 1st place in the Club category. Their entry, titled "Jesus: The Reason For The Season," was fitted with an inflatable nativity scene. The Martins want to give a shout out to David and Susan Pinard of 951 Graphics, who generously supplied the nativity and created the two banners inviting spectators to the Bible Club's Christmas Gala at the Lodge. Steve and Ruth, co-chairs of the Bible Club, were joined by Louise Hildebrandt and Joe and Cathy Brito

"We heard echos from parents on shore telling their children, "See? Jesus is the reason for Christmas."  What Christmas joy and happiness we felt hearing those words," says Steve.