LBCA Hosts 2023 Wooden Boat Parade

By Cassidy Gruber, LBCA Social Media Intern

The Lake Burton Civic Association (LBCA) hosted its Fourth Annual Wooden Boat Parade and Show on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Rabun County is known as the “Wooden Boat Capital of Georgia” due to its impressive history of wooden boat ownership dating back to the early 1900s. Although the boats are impressive, the loyal boat owners and participants make this event remarkable.

A line of 32 vintage boats paraded across Lake Burton, led by the Lake Burton fireboat. The boats were greeted by an eager crowd at LaPrade’s Marina, where they were displayed for public viewing and admired for their beauty, history, and craftsmanship.

An LBCA board member, Lee Penland, said, “I love the Wooden Boat Parade not only for the beautiful boats but for the way it brings the community together.”

Andrew Harris, an LBCA board member, founded the Wooden Boat Parade four years ago. “Sometimes I like to refer to these boats as floating works of art because that is what they truly are,” said Harris.

Chase Fulbright, chairman of the wooden boat parade committee, headed this special event. Fulbright has owned his wooden boat named “Dawg Days” for eight years. He has participated in the parade all four years, this year being his first as chairman. “My first year as chairman was a great experience,” said Fulbright. “We have a good group of boat owners who have been a lot of fun to work with.”

Many boat owners shared stories and conversations about their unique wooden watercraft.

Ryan and Chandler Houser have participated in the parade on Ryan’s great-grandmother’s wooden boat all four years. The boat has been on Lake Burton since 1956. Olin Houser, Ryan and Chandler’s son, has participated in the parade for three years, one being before he was born. Olin is a fifth-generation wooden boat passenger.

Fran Rogers grew up on Lake Burton. She is the proud owner of a 21-foot utility boat crafted in 1939. Rogers has participated in the parade all four years. Doug and Patricia Jones, LBCA members, have participated in the parade for three years in their boat “Early Times.” This boat was purchased in 1957 by Doug Jones’ great uncle, Captain Charles Lipham, USN. The wooden vessel spent 62 years on Lake Rabun before moving to Lake Burton in 2019.

Trae Sharpe and his family participated in the parade for the first time this year in a 1946 wooden boat owned by his aunt, Susan Dickens. Each wooden boat has its own story, yet, they all find a home on Lake Burton. This unique tradition brings together a community of wooden boat enthusiasts, new and old, to recognize the generations of wooden boats that have coasted the waters of Lake Burton.