Boat Parade Celebrates Spirit Of Christmas
By Andie Gibson

 When Eileen and Peter Charuka plan their annual holiday party, they always check the calendar first to make sure their date corresponds with the Smith Mountain Lake Boat Parade, a brilliant, floating holiday show staged by local boating enthusiasts.

 The Charukas’ home in Lookout Pointe has a great view of the main channel so their guests can see the parade coming up the lake on the Bedford County side and then back down on the Franklin County side. This year, they’ll invite about 30 family members and friends to witness the procession.

 “We try and include people with children,” Eileen Charuka said. “The children really get excited about it and enjoy it.”

 Neighbors Barbara and Greg Babiak also invite about a dozen friends over for the parade, which will take place this year on Dec. 14.

 “It’s gotten bigger and better every year,” Barbara Babiak said. “We see them coming down and then turn right in front of us and head toward the bridge.”

 The festivities will kick off around 6 p.m. with the Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers singing Christmas carols at the Virginia Dare Marina. The boat parade will start there at 7 p.m., cruising up the main channel and arriving at Hales Ford Bridge around 8 p.m. Around 8:45, the boats will circle near the State Park and return to the marina at approximately 9.

 Alice Swain, who has organized the event the past five years, said the reason the parade has become such a popular lake event is because the boat decorations are so elaborate.

 “It’s just spectacular,” she said. “It’s unbelievable how the people go all out and there’s no contest. It’s all for the children.”

 Organizers ask that all participants, including spectators, bring an unwrapped toy or new winter garment to the parade or one of several drop-off locations. The items will be distributed to local children as part of Lake Christian Ministries’ “Toy Story” drive.

 Items must be returned by Dec. 18 to Capps Home Building Center, Brenda’s Pack & Ship, SML State Park, Virginia Dare Marina, SML Visitor Center, Moneta Farm Service or the Christmas tree lot adjacent to Lake Inn.

 Swain expects more than 40 boats to participate in this year’s parade, including the Virginia Dare, which has a booked charter party. For the best view, she recommends gathering at either Bridgewater Plaza or the Smith Mountain Lake State Park instead of the Virginia Dare Marina, which will be crowded with boat captains and passengers.

 “There will be more people at this marina than you’ll ever see in July or August,” Swain said. “It’s just become a really popular event.”