Last night, Lake Anna came alive with the magic of the annual Lighted Boat Parade, a spectacular event led by the Lake Anna Business Partnership. The parade, now in its fifth year, was orchestrated by committee head Randy Thomas and his wife Jaime Thomas, ensuring a night of festive cheer for all.

The boats line up at Tim’s to begin their official journey to the Taphouse (above).

Maureen (Mo) Daniels, Chair of Emergency Services & Safety and a prominent member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla #87, played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and seamless execution of the parade. With her expertise in teaching safe boating classes and leading patrols, Daniels, alongside Gene McCormick, supervised the safety checks of the participating boats, playing a pivotal part in the event’s overall success. The support of additional volunteers from Spotsylvania and Louisa Counties further contributed to the smooth operation of the parade by providing rescue boats. BoatUS was also on-site and provided towing services.

Mo Daniels (left) and Gene McCormick (right)

Volunteers, led by Jaime Thomas (left), get ready for the required safety meeting for all boat captains.

There were a total of 12 entries participating in the parade, with one entry having two boats, for a total of 13 boats. Each decked out in a mesmerizing display of lights, inflatable Christmas decorations, music, and creative costumes. The winning boat, named “Festival of Lights,” owned by Steve Purks, stood out with its enchanting presentation. Purks, however, humbly shared the credit, attributing the success to the “wood hood from Bluewater Community.”

The boats left Tim’s Restaurant at 5:00 p.m. after a brief safety meeting. They took their traditional route down past the state park, circling down by the 208 bridge marinas, and then ending at the Lake Anna Taphouse, where official festivities were being held.

The competition was fierce, with second place going to Joseph Lawrence with “Candy Cane,” and “No Grinch Here,” by Linda Cole, clinching the third-place spot.

Mike Cleaves, who has won the past two annual boat parades, (last year being a moving, breathing dragon and the year before a pirate ship), was having a few hiccups getting his Viking boat lights to stay on.

“There are just over 8,760 lights on the ship, over 2,000 zip ties holding everything together,” he said. When lit, the Viking ship was a spectacular sight. (Stay tuned for a full feature on the spectacular creation in the upcoming February issue of The Breeze™.)

Casey Hollins and Jack Snyder were judging the creative entries, adding an element of excitement to the night.

The Lake Anna Taphouse, the parade’s epicenter, buzzed with activity as hundreds of eager spectators awaited the dazzling boat show. Families lined the docks from the grassy areas, creating a festive atmosphere. For safety reasons, guests were restricted from accessing the docks, allowing them to enjoy the spectacle from a secure vantage point.

Starting at 5 pm, the Taphouse hosted a variety of guest activities, including live music by Steel Peach, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus courtesy of Don and Peggy Ridley, and the artistic touch of Cindy from Transformative Face Painting.

As Lake Anna’s Lighted Boat Parade wraps up its fifth year, the event continues to grow, becoming a beloved tradition that brings the community together to celebrate the holiday season in a unique and enchanting way.

Jen Bailey

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