IT was the floating festival of light and foreshore entertainment too big for one night.
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The Float your Boat parade lit up the western side of the lake on Friday night, then repeated the show along the eastern shores on Saturday. And families loved it.
Lake Macquarie City Council estimated more than 20,000 people lined the lake's foreshore over the two nights for the event, as more than 20 illuminated boats, large and small, cruised by.
A glowing T-Rex towering more than 10 metres above the water stole the show.
Then there was the giant koala, styled on a classic Women's Weekly children's birthday cake, a pineapple assembled by local high school students, and a muscle-bound rendition of sea-god Poseidon in the flotilla.
Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said the event helped activate the city during winter.
"Float Your Boat brings people together in winter, it showcases the lake and it stimulates our night-time economy," Cr Fraser said.
"Its success is a great credit to all the boaties who put time and effort into making such spectacular floating displays. Without them, this event couldn't happen."
Live sites at Toronto on Friday and at Warners Bay on Saturday provided a focal point for on-shore activities.
Dozens of children at each site took part in an illuminated costume workshop, creating firefly costumes later worn in a parade around the foreshore.
On Friday, performers from Circus Avalon kept crowds entertained, while on Saturday night a fire twirler and LED hula-hoop dancers lit up Warners Bay.
Voting opens on Monday for the event's People's Choice Award, where fans pick their favourite floating light installation via council's Facebook page.
Float Your Boat was sponsored by Marmong Point Marina, Belmont 16s and The Brighton Apartments.
