Council will hold the inaugural Float Your Boat event on June 16 and 17 and are putting a call-out to all boat owners to light up the lake by decorating their vessels like Christmas trees.

Events like Float Your Boat have been well-received in various parts of the world and will be a first for Lake Macquarie City.

It will feature two flotilla parades; one on the eastern side of the lake and one on the western.

On June 16, the parade will follow a course from Marmong Point Marina to Warners Bay, Eleebana, Valentine and finishing at Belmont.

The following night it will start at Marmong Point Marina and travel to Toronto, Coal Point, Fishing Point and the final destination of Wangi Wangi

Council’s Manager Cultural Services Jacqui Hemsley said Float Your Boat encourages the community to look at the Lake in a different way.

“We have this amazing beautiful lake in the middle of our City that we want to embrace,” Ms Hemsley said.

“We want to see boaties have a bit of fun and get creative with their boats for the chance to win prizes, including a People’s Choice Award, which will be voted for by the Lake Macquarie community on social media.

“The weekend will also be a great opportunity for those who live near the Lake to organise a balcony barbecue with friends, take photos of the parade as it idles past and then vote for your favourite illuminated boat.”

Ms Hemsley said council’s hope was to make Float Your Boat an annual event.

More information on Float Your Boat participation and the $5000 worth of prizes on offer can be found at www.lakemac.com.au.