Lake Tobesofkee gives a floating Christmas light show

Lake Tobesofkee is building a spectacular new Christmas tradition.

The lake held its second annual Christmas Boat Parade on Saturday, drawing a lot more boats and a bigger crowd.

The first parade, held last year, drew only six boats and not many spectators. But this year's parade drew 15 boats and hundreds of people watching from along the lakeside.

The boats were decorated with Christmas lights, wreaths and glowing, blowup Christmas characters. Santa and Mrs. Claus also had their own boat.

"It's wonderful," said Algernon Wallace, of Macon, as he sat with his family on a dock at Claystone Park, watching the boats float slowly by. "It's something different. It's nice for the kids to get out and see something like this."

The boats formed up at Fish N' Pig Restaurant as the sun went down, then proceeded slowly down the lake after darkness fell.

Billy Carmichael and some friends were decorating his pontoon boat at the marina prior to the parade. Carmichael decided to participate for the first time after watching the parade last year.

"I thought it was good," he said of last year's parade. "They had just a few boats but not bad for the first year."

Phil Martin, who helped organize it and had his boat in it as well, said he was excited to see more boats and a bigger crowd.

"It looks like the Fourth of July at the beach," he said as he got ready to launch the parade.

He said the parade will definitely come back next year and remain and annual event.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Lake Tobesofkee gives a floating Christmas light show ."