Photo by Dawn Rankins
Parade of Lights
The Canyon Lake Yacht Club’s 40th Annual Parade of Lights on Saturday brought out eager residents along with their friends and families as they gathered together on the lake fronts, waterfront balconies and parks to view the colorfully decorated boats traverse the lake.
The parade began at Eastport Park boat launch and made its way through the bay and around the Main Lake before ending at Happy Camp.
The iconic Fire-Breathing Green Dragon boat led the parade as boats showed their holiday spirit with festive lights and decor.
The parade of boats ended at Happy Camp where participants were welcomed to enjoy hot chocolate, goodies, a warm fire and good friends while parade goers were able to see the boats up close.
One young family followed the parade around the lake so their kids could see everything.
Diann Oltman inspects her train-decorated boat as it is docked after the Canyon Lake Yacht Club Parade of Lights Saturday. Residents lined the shores of Canyon Lake to watch the holiday parade. Photo by Dona Ziegler
“The Christensen family followed the train around the lake, all the way to Happy Camp so their son Carter could see the train,” Dona Ziegler said. “Carter was so excited when Diann Oltman invited the family on board and let young Carter sit in the captain’s chair.”
Dona’s family, meanwhile, enjoyed the parade on the patio of the Lighthouse Restaurant.
“We then headed over to Happy Camp and we got there just as the boats were pulling in,” Dona said. “We met the Christensen family and they shared with Pat and me how excited they were about having their son Carter be able to see the train up close.”
Campers at Happy Camp made sure to have their fire pits ready so parade participants could warm up by the fire.