Parade of Lights 2018
The 28th Annual Eagle Mountain Parade Of Lights
Many thanks to Linda Kennedy, Kim Knight, Madalynn Mitchell, Jeff Gibson and many others associated with Suntex Marinas for putting on a great show. It was a first class operation that had every talking. The weather situation couldn’t have turned out more perfect the event. The turnout was so big and the parking lot was so full they had no choice but to turn cars away. It was even causing a traffic jam on Wells Burnett Rd. They raised over $6000.00 to provide a Christmas for unfortunate families whose children go to Cross Timbers Elementary School in Azle, TX. A total of 25 boats participated in the parade with many other boats on the water spectating. The lake houses along the way got a great show. Many people were out on their balconies along the route cheering the participants on. Crowds at Augie’s, Fort Worth Boat Club, The Landing, and Lake Country Estates also came out to see the parade. If you missed this spectacular event you can relive it with the pictures and videos below. Even if you were there and your not sure if you got the full experience you can catch up on that by watching the videos below. The winners of the best decorated boats are also documented below.
The following event was in part dedicated to:
Jack Buffington
Jack Buffington (56 years of age) of Ship to Shore Boat Cleaning Services passed away just before this past Thanksgiving. He was a very respected and revered man that had dedicated his life to boat owners and marina personnel all over the lake for the past 30 years. Jack had been a sponsor almost every year since the inception of this event, including this year. His family would want you to come to one of his favorite places on the lake to celebrate his playground and workplace.
2010 Parade Of Lights winning boat owned by Bob Wood & Larry Harper
Lead Boat:
The lead boat of the Parade will be the Tow Boat US Tow Boat, and will be standing by on VHF ch 68, outside of the breakwater of Eagle Mountain Marina.
Assembly Area:
This will be the area from inside the breakwater at Eagle Mt Marina to the “No Wake” buoys off Augie’s dock. Sunset on the 1st is at 1723 that evening. The lead boat will be on station in the assembly area at 1715 (5:15 PM), and we should start forming up on the lead boat at this time according to assigned parade numbers.
The Route:
The route is 11 miles long. Running at 6 knots, it should take right about two hours to complete. It is helpful if you have a GPS, to maintain 6 knots. For those without a GPS, there is a great chart plotter app called Navionics. Your port side will be the side of you vessel that viewers from shore will see most. We will go up the western shore almost to Snug Harbor Point leaving the Azle water station to starboard. From here, we will turn east to eastern shore north of the Fort Worth Boat Club. Once reaching the shore, we will turn south keeping the shoreline to port and round the boat club and follow the shoreline to Foster Point and Hickey Bay. Continuing south rounding Kraft & Crest Points to port and turn northeast to enter Dozier Slough. We will leave “J” dock at Lake Country Marina close to port and then leave The Landing close to port. Once reaching the entrance to Harbor One, we will turn east, make a wide turn in the back of Big Dozier Slough picking up the shoreline just west of the Lake Country Boat Ramp, and start our exit from Dosier Slough. At this time, the incoming and outgoing traffic will be a starboard-to- starboard passing. We will leave The Long Dock to port and continue along the shore line and into Little Carter Slough and then around into Carter Slough always keeping the shore line close to port. Again, incoming and outgoing traffic will be a starboard- to-starboard passing. Upon exiting Carter Slough, we will leave Baptist Point and Burgess Points close to port and then down through the now wake area off Augie’s and then back to the main dock at Eagle Mountain Marina. Charted minimum depth for the route is 12’.
The day of the 2018 Eagle Mountain Lake Parade Of Lights
Photos and videos courtesy of:
Red Welch
Wanda Spriggs
JD McKown
Lynda Elliot
Cyndi Herbig
Paul Auger
Trey Bull
Boat owners putting the last minute touches on their decorations.
Boats ready to head off to the staging area.
Last minute entries in the boat parade.
Some of the 28’ and under group making comparisons.
Part of cruiser row getting ready. Matt Lively’s boat looking very festive.
This boat is going be hard to beat in the 28’ and over category.
The above boat worked hours upon hours prepping for the occasion.
Captain Trey & First Mate Unicorn Wanda.
Wanda Spriggs “Little Miss Unicorn”
Jennifer Walker & Cyndi Herbig, crew on the ”Classy Lady”
Clay Ellerbee on the prowl.
Starting to get dark @ Eagle Mountain Marina. The 28’ and under boats are starting to light up.
The parking lot is filling up. The turnout of spectators and participants was fantastic.
Trey Tabor’s boat “Miss Ginny” leaving Eagle Mountain Marina.
LaDarius Gentry of Suntex Marinas “The King”
LarDarius Gentry & Cristal Westerman of Suntex Marinas
Cars and more cars piling in to see the boats in the staging area.
Waiting in staging area to get ready to roll.
#2 boat getting ready to roll on forward.
Trey Tabor’s “ Miss Ginny”
Paul Auger’s “Miss Behavin”
#4 boat (Trey Tabor)and all the way back to the marina is how long this is stretching.
Aboard the flybridge of Trey Tabor’s “Miss Ginny” looking at the rear of the “Classy Lady”.
The “Bal Harbour Ct. Blue Tops Condos” at Lake Country Estates saying, hello
The “Classy Lady” & “ Miss Ginny” approaching Paul Ruhl’s house in Dozier Slough.
Doyle King’s boat.
Down the side of the “Classy Lady”
The “Classy Lady” docked at Eagle Mountain Marina
Trey Tabor’s boat lit up.
Cruising behind Trey Tabor’s boat heading home.
Art “Beefcake” Brees, Jennifer Walker, & JD McKown staying warm.
Trey Tabor, Trey Bull, & Debbie Doyle
Trey Tabor & Trey Bull
The Doyle’s winning for fan favorite.
Doyle King, Trey Bull, & Trey Tabor.
The Doyle King crew. 1st place winner in the 28’ and under division.
One last picture of Doyle King’s 1st place boat.
Lynda Elliot, Spanky McGinnity, Wanda Spriggs,Trey Tabor, Clay Ellerbee, Cyndi Herbig, Trey Bull, JD McKown.
The Awards Presentation Video
The winners this year:
Matt & Kat Lively
Trey Tabor
Doyle King
Steve & Debbie Doyle
Erik Harris
Trey Bull
Julie Barton