Lake Wylie Boat Parade

I've always wanted to see the Lake Wylie Christmas Boat Parade, an annual tradition with festively lit boats sailing into the night.  However, I haven't been able to make it in years past as it is usually scheduled on one of the busiest weekends of the year:  the second Saturday in December.  It usually conflicts with the Choralier Christmas concert, company parties, and other Lake Wylie events and activities that tend to fill our calendar just before Christmas.

This year, I rearranged my Choralier concert attendance so I could go to the parade.  And what fun it was!  I took lots of pictures from aboard a large houseboat docked at T-Bones.  The night was clear and cool, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit and watching the boats.

The winner was clear from the start:  a 32' Trojan Flybridge transformed into a Christmas train, with moving lights synchronized to train inspired tunes such as "The Polar Express" and Blackfoot's "Train, Train".  A smokestack on the bow of the boat produced a steady stream of smoke to complete the picture.  It was a sight to behold!  At the craft headed for the far side of the lake, only the lights were visible and it truly looked like a train chugging across the water.  Brad Thomas of Belmont was the captain of this creation, and easily walked away with first prize.  He is a repeat winner, having scored highest for several years in a row.  Can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

Second place also went to a repeat contender, Sid Smith of Boyd's Cove.  He and his team converted his pontoon boat into a replicate of Santa's Sleigh, with painted wooden sides and lights all around.  There were several other impressive entries as well.  For more pictures, please visit the Lake Wylie Events page on http://www.lakewylieinformation.com/.

Thanks for reading my blog!  Have a blessed Christmas and happy new year!  If you want Lake Wylie living to be on your wish list for 2012, be sure to visit the best source for Lake Wylie real estate.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Wow - - December sure sneaks up on us, doesn't it? Seems like we just got the okra picked and gracious daisies, here we are again! With the calendar filling up faster than the jitterbug, I figured you might need some guidance on what not to miss out on this holiday season.

First of all, what would Christmas be without the Hallelujah Chorus? Be sure to catch the Clover Choraliers Christmas Show, Dec 9, 11, or 12. Now, I have to admit to you that several years ago, you'd have to PAY me to go to a school chorus concert. I know. There goes my Mom of the Year Award which I'd never win anyhow. But I have to tell you, The Choraliers shows are really something special. The whole town and then some turn out for the show, wouldn't miss it for the world. I've heard people exclaim in wonder, "This is as good as a Broadway production."

Next, holiday lights! Of course, you could go to McAdenville and hang out with your 600,000 closest friends, or you could stay a little more local and head over to Tega Cay for a glimpse of over-the-top holiday spirit. On December 16, meet at the Tega Cay Beach and Swim Club for guided tour of the best of the best. If you'd like to get out and enjoy the night air, head over to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens for their Lights at the Garden display. Ride in a horse drawn carriage, sip some hot chocolate and listen to some live music in the courtyard.

We may not have the Macy's Christmas parade in our neck of the woods, but we have no shortage of small town fanfare. Catch the Fort Mill, Clover, Rock Hill, Belmont, or York Christmas parades, just for starters. And, of course, the Lake Wylie Boat Parade is always lots of fun, particularly viewed from the deck at T-Bones on the Lake. For a list of Christmas parade dates and times, visit Lake Wylie Events.

As your holiday schedule begins to fill up, though, step back and schedule a quiet night at home. Pop in The Christmas Story, or It's A Wonderful Life, or one of your favorite holiday classics. Enjoy a night at home with the family, perhaps a fire in the fireplace, and lights twinkling on your tree. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Thanks for reading my blog. Visit Lake Wylie Information for restaurant reviews, Lake Wylie Events, and Lake Wylie real estate.