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Tom Harfman sits waiting for the start of the Red Sails Parade at Harveys Lake.

Fred adams/the times leader

I’ve been to Harveys Lake many times in my life, but for the very first time on Sunday night, I ventured out onto the lake in a boat. My boyfriend’s parents were kind enough to invite me along on their boat for a ride on the lake and to watch the Red Sails Parade.

In case you never heard of it, the Red Sails Parade features sailboats lit with red flares. Organized by the Harveys Lake Yacht Club, the parade has been held on Labor Day weekend for over 30 years. I’m told that years ago, closer to 20 sailboats participated in it. This year, only four took part. But that didn’t ruin the experience for me.

We started off by cruising around the lake before sunset. Even though it was still relatively warm outside, I quickly got cool from the breeze the boat created and put on my sweatshirt.

My boyfriend’s father anchored the boat facing Our Lady of Victory Church in anticipation of the fireworks display and we watched the parade go by. Many others also were out on the lake in motor boats to watch. I especially loved how one of the sailboats rang a bell (similar to a cow bell) that you would hear at a football game.

To our rear was a house with a lighted palm tree decoration. Either that house or one nearby had a spectacular sound system that blared 70s music. I thought disco was dead and was surprised and disappointed by the home’s musical selections that much of the lake could hear.

But once the fireworks began, the 70s music was replaced by patriotic songs such as “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “God Bless America” and “Proud to be an American.” Although the system malfunctioned momentarily several times, the patriotic songs were a nice touch to the beautiful fireworks that blasted in the sky over the church. Thank you to whoever provided the music.

I didn’t realize how cold I really was until we were leaving and got in the car. But I didn’t care. I had fun.

 

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