The Great American Boat Parade will return to Lake Lanier Saturday afternoon after a wildly successful inaugural parade in 2020.
John Gunter, an organizer of the parade, spoke about the event on Thursday's edition of WDUN's Mornings on Maine Street.
Gunter said it will kick off at 12 p.m. at Buford Dam. The boats will then follow a parade route up the main channel of the lake toward Balus Creek and Port Royale.
"It's a great event for everybody to come together, to show their patriotism, show some appreciation for our first responders and veterans that do so much for our great country," Gunter said.
Gunter said the boats will be moving at idle speed, and he will be leading the parade in a houseboat. He will also transmit patriotic music on FM 90.5 via an FM transmitter.
The total route is about three or four miles and will take about an hour to get from Buford Dam to the northern section of the lake.
Gunter said the idea came to mind after seeing politically motivated parades in the region a couple of years ago.
"I said, 'you know what? Why can't we just all get together and just celebrate ... having the freedoms that we have and do something that can bring all boaters together and celebrate the freedoms, celebrate the things that we have as Americans, and display that patriotism,'" Gunter said.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reported between 3,000 and 4,000 vessels were on Lake Lanier at the time of the event in 2020.
More information about the parade and a form to register to participate can be found on the Great American Boat Parade Facebook Page and the Great American Boat Parade Website.
