newy.com.au – A larger-than-life Super Mario has won the Newcastle Permanent People’s Choice award at Float Your Boat 2026, with Megan Evans’ illuminated creation voted the favourite from this year’s Lake Macquarie fleet.
The Mario display was one of 20 illuminated artworks that cruised Lake Macquarie during the winter event, drawing crowds to live sites and online before claiming the $1000 People’s Choice prize. The win gave the Evans family back-to-back People’s Choice titles, ahead of Steve Upton’s Olaf and Elsa display from Frozen in second place and Hayden Petersen’s Jar of Fireflies in third.
Ms Evans said the enduring appeal of the Nintendo character helped the display connect with audiences.
“I think the key is finding something people can relate to and Super Mario has stood the test of time. I remember him being a fairly popular character as a kid and people growing up are still playing games with him and watching him on TV and in movies,” Ms Evans said.
She said Float Your Boat had become a family effort, with her sons Huxley and Koda now involved in the design process after needing babysitters during the family’s first year in the event.
“The boys really get into the making of the design and give me pointers along the way, so the more they can be involved the more fun we have as a family,” she said.
“It’s so much fun having people you know and people you don’t know calling out and cheering you on. It looks fabulous and it’s a great time for everyone involved.”
Mr Upton added another podium finish to his eight-year Float Your Boat record, winning $600 for second place with his Frozen-themed display. Third place and $400 went to Jar of Fireflies, a joint work featuring pieces by 130 Year 1 and Year 2 students from Avondale School.
The students developed the concept of creating their own fireflies to “let their light shine” around Lake Macquarie. They also built prototypes of the icosahedron jar using matchsticks and helped code the LED lights.
Students were also represented on the VIP vessel, with Lake Macquarie Youth Council creating Voices of Lake Macquarie. The display was inspired by the city’s natural environment, showing mountains flowing into the lake, a tree symbolising the land and the ocean beyond, with the Youth Council’s bright orange loudspeaker logo above the lake to represent young people’s voices.
Jenny Mares won the Mayor’s Choice award in the 5-10m category for her tribute to 100 years of Winnie the Pooh, while Barry Neaton took out the 10m-plus Mayor’s Choice award with a Fantasia-inspired display featuring Mickey Mouse conjuring a fireworks scene.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said choosing winners had been difficult given the strength of this year’s entries.
“Participants once again delivered an outstanding display of creativity, craftsmanship and imagination,” he said.
“What makes Float Your Boat so special is the way it brings people together during a quieter time of the year and encourages them to experience Lake Macquarie in a completely different way.
“The more we can activate our night-time economy with such wholesome and fun events, the better.”
More than 12,000 people attended live sites at the Toronto and Warners Bay foreshores on June 19 and 20. Onshore entertainment included illuminated puppets from Curious Legends, fluorescent kayaks from Showtime Kayaking, roving performers, live music, food and games.
Float Your Boat was hosted by Empire Marina Lake Macquarie and supported by Newcastle Permanent, Wangi Workers Club, Belmont 16s Sailing Club, Cardiff Ford, Nova Cruises, Lake Mac Holiday Parks and Lake Macquarie Houseboats.
