FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lakeland, Georgia, December 24, 2019 — Five boats participated in the first-ever WWALS Light Parade on Banks Lake, with 30 to 40 viewers on the fishing pier, at the winter solstice, Saturday, December 21, 2019.
![[Parade]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-21--light-parade-pictures/79860642_10215936605476681_6133044214415491072_n.jpg)
“We had lots of spectators and enjoyed the evening with our S’Mores and hot chocolate!” said Shelby Miller, whose idea this WWALS Light Parade was.
The winners were:
1st place: Bobby McKenzie
![[Bobby McKenzie paddling]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-21--light-parade-pictures/80691127_10215936603796639_4305391082843144192_n.jpg)
2nd place: Eli Harrell
![[Eli Harrell]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-21--light-parade-pictures/80211695_10215936606316702_92408514885976064_n.jpg)
3rd place: Allison Ray
![[Allison Ray and daughters]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-21--light-parade-pictures/79872207_10215936603716637_6490383655196688384_n.jpg)
Bobby McKenzie donated back to WWALS his $50 first prize. Shelby Miller donated the $50 split between the second and third place winners.
![[Bobby McKenzie and Eli Harrell]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-21--light-parade-pictures/79950005_10215936606276701_826128158997610496_n.jpg)
Bobby McKenzie and Eli Harrell
It was good that Allison’s two daughters paddled as well. The rain did hold off but the wind did not, it was gusty and a little choppy on the lake.
![[S'mores]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-21--light-parade-pictures/80680785_10215936604596659_3938443173155569664_n.jpg)
Bobby McKenzie, who is also the WWALS Outings Committee Chair, remarked, “One lesson learned is to start the paddle later in the evening. The observers seemed to feel like they were waiting too long. However that’s what the cookies, hot chocolate and s’mores was intended to help relieve.“
![[Eli Harrell and Bobby McKenzie]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-12-21--light-parade-pictures/80460148_10215936605076671_8168323993586106368_n.jpg)
Eli Harrell and Bobby McKenzie
These pictures are by Shelby Miller. Here also are Shelby’s pictures on facebook.
About WWALS: WWALS Watershed Coalition (WWALS), a 501(c)(3) educational charity, established 2012, advocates for conservation and stewardship of the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, Santa Fe, and Suwannee River watersheds in south Georgia and north Florida through education, awareness, environmental monitoring, and citizen activities. WWALS is the Waterkeeper® Alliance member for the Suwannee River Basin as Suwannee Riverkeeper®.
Contact: John S. Quarterman, wwalswatershed@gmail.com, 229-242-0102
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For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS calendar or the WWALS outings and events web page. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
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