'50 Days for 50 Years'

UNDATED - Lake Lanier is 50 years old this year and the celebrating begins Friday.

That's when visitors to the Atlanta Boat Show can pick up free commemorative buttons, making them eligible for prizes to be awarded to lake visitors this summer.

After the boat show, buttons will be available at each of the lake's ten marinas while supplies last.

"To generate interest in the lake's 50th anniversary, we've created 50 Days for 50 Years at Lake Lanier and will be giving out random prizes to lake visitors who wear their buttons this summer," said Vernita Loveridge with Westrec, a member of the Marina Operators of Lake Lanier, which is organizing the year-long celebration. "Our 50 days begins in mid-June and will culminate on National Marina Day