Two years ago, Joe Williamson and his wife wanted to do something fun for the 4th of July.
However, at the time, the country was still on lockdown due to the height of the pandemic. So, the two Buckhead residents planned an Independence Day boat parade for residents on the Morgan County side of Lake Oconee.
“It was really my wife’s idea,” Williamson said.
The couple established their plan and ran it by neighbors to get their feedback. They did so by making their way around the northern part of the lake by boat.
“We put a notice in a plastic bag, then tossed it onto (the different) docks in our cove,” Williamson said. “We ended up having a good response that first year.”
Almost twice the number of boats came out for last year’s festivities, which featured several ones that were tricked out in full Independence Day decorations.
“We usually get decorations such as flags or bunting,” Williamson said. “One boat I remember last year had a bunch of people dressed up in costume. They had an inflatable Uncle Sam on top (of their boat). We also had a guy dressed as Captain America while riding his jet ski with his kid in his lap. People just have a good time with it. It’s all for fun, which people enjoy.”
The now third-annual boat parade is a great way to spend the 4th. It brings neighbors together around Buckhead and the less populated side of the lake.
“Unfortunately, when living out at the lake part-time, which a lot of people do, they don’t really get to meet their neighbors that are not right next door to you,” Williamson said. “Well, this has brought people together. We all get together and have a good time. We all gather in one area and head up the coast.”
Despite living at the lake full-time for the past three years, Williamson admitted that he hasn’t gotten a chance to meet all of his neighbors just quite yet.
So, this opportunity has been a great way for him and his wife to get to know others. That sense of community is what the couple loves about the area.
“The neighbors on the docks there love it,” he said. “I’ve gotten to know several of them.”
The popularity of the parade even reached the Apalachee Heights subdivision in Morgan County, where the parade was mentioned in a newsletter.
“I had a woman reach out to me about the parade,” Williamson said. “She contacted me about it, mentioning that people were asking about the boat parade (this year). She then emailed out all the information that I gave to her.”
As the years go on, Williamson hopes that it can grow more and more into a bigger event.
“It’s just a great activity, it gives people something to do,” he said. “You don’t really have to leave home. Just decorate your boat and head on up the lake.”
What Williamson loves about the surrounding community is its ability to properly enjoy the 4th of July.
“People (in this area) love to celebrate the 4th of July, and they know what it’s all about,” he said. “It’s about our liberty and the freedom of this country.”
The parade will commence around 2 p.m. Also, Crowe Marine will be contributing a prize for the best-decorated boat. Last year’s prize was a Yeti cooler.
Contact Joe Williamson at joe@smgwin.com for information about this year’s boat parade.