Thousands of spectators and boaters are expected to gather Saturday to form a waterway parades in honor of President Donald Trump.
Two boat parades are currently planned on the Clark Hills Lake near Augusta and on Lake Allatoona right outside of metro Atlanta. The Trump and America Boat Parade is hosted by James Griffin and is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday on Allatoona Lake, according to a Facebook event. The boaters will meet in front of the dam/spillway that leads to Lake Acworth. Almost 500 people have signed up for the event.
“Let's end the summer with a salute to America and to President Trump."
The Trump Boat Parade Clarks Hill Lake is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and hosted by Brent Weir in Appling, according to a Facebook event post. More than 1,000 people plan to attend the boat parade that will start under the power lines near the park.
Boaters are invited to bring their boat and flag to participate in the event, which supports Trump and his run for reelection. Several other gatherings are planned across the country throughout August.
“A horn will sound 3 times to let you know the front boats are moving. Please use caution when we start moving and do not swamp the boats around you. We will head towards the Corp Of Engineers parking lot to be photographed and we will disburse,” reads a message on the Facebook event page.
There have been reports of other Trump boat parades overwhelming waters, displacing other gatherings on lakes and at times sinking smaller watercraft. Donna Ligon of Evans told The Augusta Chronicle she hopes the event can take place without those difficulties.
“As far as ground rules, hopefully, common sense will show up,” Ligon said. “Everyone is just passing the word to respect others and keep it slow, peaceful and safe.”
Mark McKinnon, a public affairs officer for the Law Enforcement Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, told the newspaper his agency “will have patrol boats on the water to assist with disabled or distressed boats and we will be enforcing all boating laws as we always do.”
Ligon said several friends with boats plan to attend Saturday’s festivities. She and her family will sail on their houseboat Dangerously Knotty during the parade.
“I would hope this can be a safe, fun family day where we can all just come together for a chance for our boating community to show the love for this country and our president,” she said.