A boat glides along the surface of Winona Lake.

WINONA LAKE — All boat owners around Winona Lake are invited to participate in a festive “Venetian Nights” boat parade at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, as part of the area’s Fourth of July celebration. This event will follow the annual fireworks and musical concert, which will be Saturday, July 2.

Alexander McDonald, president of Standard Oil of Kentucky, financed the digging of the Winona Lake canal in 1902, and in his honor, the island was named McDonald Island. Venetian Nights celebrations were held annually along the canal banks under the direction of a Captain Pine. These unique parades of beautiful floats attracted vast crowds to huge bleachers that had been moved into position along the canal.

Boats donated by the Assembly were decorated by themes, and prizes were awarded. The last Venetian Nights pageant was held in 1917, when a near-tragedy occurred. A float depicting the homes of a drunkard and a temperance man capsized when the drunkard fell overboard and the other passengers all rushed to his aid.

Boat owners this year are invited to decorate their craft, including lighting displays if possible, and it is suggested the boats be decorated on an “Indiana History” theme to commemorate the Indiana Bicentennial year of 2016. The decorated boats will assemble near the Winona Lake town park beach at 8:30 p.m. and the parade will slowly circumnavigate Winona Lake in a counterclockwise direction, starting past the north mouth of the canal and the BoatHouse restaurant.

A panel of judges will select the three best decorating schemes, and the winners will be awarded valuable prizes.

Although pre-registration is not necessary, boat owners planning to participate are encouraged to e-mail the coordinator, Art Gakstatter, at [email protected] so the planning committee has an idea of how many boats will participate. Area residents are encouraged to gather on the lakeshore wherever possible to cheer the passing boat parade.