Neon Nights and Chip-Stealing Birds: Lake Mac Lights Up for Winter

newy.com.au – The glow of winter will take on new meaning around Lake Macquarie this weekend as artists and boat owners join forces for the annual Float Your Boat parade, lighting up the water with handmade creations and neon displays.

Up to 18 vessels are expected to take part in the two-night event, with installations ranging from the whimsical to the elaborate. Among the standout designs is a seagull caught mid-chip theft, a familiar scene for anyone who’s eaten on the lake’s edge. Creator Angela Budden said the piece was drawn from personal experience. “My kids love throwing chips and watching the chaos unfold,” she said. “It’s messy, funny, and very Lake Macquarie.”

The floating fleet will launch from Marmong Point on Friday night, travelling south past lakeside suburbs including Toronto and Rathmines before reaching Wangi Wangi. Saturday night’s leg starts at Belmont Foreshore and cruises up to Speers Point before looping back. Spectators can catch the displays from a number of viewing sites, with live music, food trucks and family entertainment planned at Toronto, Warners Bay and Belmont.

Now a regular fixture on the city’s cultural calendar, the event blends community participation with a healthy dose of competition. Prizes are on offer in both a public vote and mayoral categories, with the most popular display earning a $1000 cash award. Mayor Adam Shultz said the event reflected the “creative and communal spirit” of the city.

Float Your Boat is run in partnership with Empire Marina and backed by a group of local sponsors. Voting and route details are available via lakemac.com.au.