Light up the Lakes

The Patriotic Lighted Boat Parade in Grand Rivers has to be one of my favorite events of the year. I guess because it combines so many of my favorite things- lights, boats, the lakes, and a tribute to service.

This year’s parade is scheduled for Saturday, May 23 and the club wants your help in lighting the lake from shore to shore. This event is open to all boaters and vessels.

This year, CYC will award trophies and prize money totaling $800 in two categories; Vessels 20 foot and under and Vessel greater than 20 foot. Each category will include first and second place prizes for most wattage, most patriotic, and best display. There will also be a crowd pleaser award. The trophies are sponsored by Lake Realty and prize money is sponsored by Green Turtle Bay Resort. Judging will occur at the Grand Rivers Jetty by Lighthouse Landing.

So decorate your vessels with simple or complex lighting, and patriotic decorations to honor those who have given us our freedoms. Gather your family, friends, organize your pier or office, call your neighbors. Rent a barge; bring your small or large vessels with a few or many lights. Come by land or water and help light the lake from shore to shore.

Register before May 16, 2009 and be early in the lineup. For more information visit the website at cycgtb.com or contact Dave Rittenhouse, Fleet Captain at fleet captain@cycgtb.com or call 618-322-9312.

Not a boater? Join us Saturday, May 23 to view the parade at the Grand Rivers Jetty. The event time is dusk; around 8:45 or 9:00 p.m.

Quilt Show Weekend

The Grand Rivers Quilt Show opened yesterday and the Pats did an outstanding job of organizing the show and putting together all the to-die-for entries.

The show includes new and antique quilts and wall hangings from the Western Kentucky area. All of the awards in the Grand Rivers Show are Viewers Choice – the visitors to the show vote and their votes select the winners. Along with all of the beautiful quilts and wall hangings, the show includes quilt related vendors with fabrics, handmade items, embroidery, and more. My favorite booth is Miss Alma’s. She owns Days Past Antiques here in Grand Rivers and has a vast collection of antique and hand stitched quilts for sale.

The Quilt Show will be open through Saturday. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Along with the Quilt Show, Saturday is the opening of the Grand Rivers Farmers Market. They will begin the season with potted plants and they have a new location. This season the Farmers Market will be located in the parking lot of the Moodie Bait Company – a new store that just opened in Grand Rivers with bait and scooter and cart rentals.

This weekend is also the Blessing of the Fleet at Green Turtle Bay Resort. This event is hosted by Commonwealth Yacht Club but all boaters are invited to participate. To me the Blessing is the official start of boating season. Registration is at Dockers Restaurant on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

And, the weatherman is forecasting sunshine and warm temperatures throughout the week. Busy, busy, busy…it is a great weekend to be in Grand Rivers. I love my life.