Before winter officially arrives at Lake Anna, the excitement builds for a much loved, annual event organized by the Lake Anna Business Partnership (LABP) held on the first Saturday of December. Lake Anna and holiday lights lovers will want to mark Saturday, December 6 on their calendars as the night of the annual LABP Lighted Boat Parade. Potential and returning participants to the parade will want to note there’s a significant increase in the prizes this year.
“We love bringing this event to visitors and locals every year,” noted LABP President Ronda Guill. “We also greatly appreciate the entrants that so lovingly decorate the boats that thrill the viewers. To show this appreciation we will up the prize money significantly for our first, second and third place finishers.”
The first-place boat will now receive $1,000, second place win $750 and third place takes home $500. Guill and LABP, working with Louisa County Tourism, applied for a grant to help fund this year’s event.
“When I heard about LABP increasing the prize money for the Lighted Boat Parade, I immediately thought this would be a great fit for a Louisa County Tourism Grant since it is for events and attractions that bring people to the county for day and overnight stays. I want to encourage anyone reading this to spend a special weekend with us at the lake at enjoy the parade,” said Louisa County Supervisor Christopher C. McCotter and LABP member, whom Guill said encouraged her to apply for the grant that will help cover the $2,250 prize money.
The Lighted Boat Parade route will again run from Tim’s in the North Anna, approximately five miles down to the Lake Anna Taphouse in the mid lake region.
LABP is planning on a vendor village at the event while the Lake Anna Taphouse will provide food/drink, a band and Lake Anna Santa
Event coordinator and LABP board member Steve McCormick noted the 2025 parade will set forth from Tim’s at Lake Anna at around 5:15 pm, after a Captain’s Safety Meeting. The boat parade will again be assisted by elements of the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and Spotsylvania Fire & EMS personnel.
“Our parade is fully supported by both Louisa and Spotsylvania first responders just in case we have an issue, and we are so grateful for them and the security it provides our participants,” McCormick stated.
Eighteen lighted boats made their way down the North Anna River towards Lake Anna State Park for last year’s parade where the Park Administrator offered free admission and a bonfire for viewers. The park is scheduled to again have special hours that evening and the parade should be there around 6 pm.
The parade will pass Anna Point and High Point Marina around 6:45 pm, before finishing up at Lake Anna Taphouse around 7 pm where over 350 people often gather to enjoy the evening’s festivities that includes the grand arrival of the boats, a band, photos with Lake Anna Santa Claus, special holiday drinks and sometimes even a visit from the Lake Anna Monster.
Judges will view the parade along the way and at the Taphouse and pick the top three boats.
Last year’s first place winner, Mike Cleaves received $500, second place winner, Steve Purks received $250 and third place winner, Tocky Lawrence received $100. Each winner from the 2024 event donated their earnings from the boat parade to the Foundation for 24/7 EMS at LKA and Brian Gilbreth (Taphouse owner) matched the total and a nice donation was made toward the purchase of a brush truck for New Bridge Station 8!
To enter a boat email LABP Administrative Assistant Anne Mintz at AnneMintz-LABP@outlook.com. Overnight accommodations can be found with The Lighthouse Inn at High Point Marina, The Boardwalk Hotel and Hotel Lake Anna.
