Tonight and tomorrow, a parade of LED decorated boats will be cruising along the Lake Macquarie coast for the Float Your Boat festival.
According to Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser, it's a "great way for us to showcase our beautiful lake, and the weather's turned out to be beautiful, so we're chuffed."
Mayor's choice awards of $1000 are up for grabs for the best-dressed boat, as well as a $2000 People's Choice Award, and a $1500 cruise for the best photo of the event posted to social media by an attendee.
Make sure you say hello to Mayor Fraser at the launch!
Tonight, the launch event begins at 5pm at the Marmong Point Marina, and the boats will take off at 6pm towards Wangi.
Live viewing sites with music, food and kid's activities will be set up at Toronto foreshore from 5.30-8.30pm and Wangi Wangi from 7-9pm.
Mayor Fraser said, "you can have a vantage point anywhere around the lake and you'll be able to see those beautiful boats all lit up."
The best viewing spots include Marmong Point, Toronto, Coal Point, Fishing Point and the Arcadia Reserve playground.
 |
| Friday's parade route. Source: Lake Macquarie City Council |
Tomorrow night, the boats will depart from the same time and place but will head towards Belmont.
A live site with food music, food, hula-hooping workshops and fireworks will be at Warners Bay from 5-8pm for the conclusion of the festival.
Good vantage points include Five Islands Road, Speers Point, the Red Bluff walkway Warners Bay and Eleebana.
 |
| Saturday's parade route. Source: Lake Macquarie City Council |
According to Mayor Fraser both nights "...what you'll see is a spectacular parade of illuminated vessels that'll be all lit up with different designs."
Registering your boat is free, as is watching the event.
Registration and more info can be found on the Lake Mac website
You can vote for People's Choice on the Facebook page
