The sound of children’s laughter and the crash of waves on Lake Murray’s beach by the dam rang through the air as Independence Day celebrations got underway.

This year, the celebrations on the lake kicked off with the 35th annual Patriotic Boat Parade on July 1. The parade consisted of 40 decorated boats. The theme this year was “Red, White and You,” encouraging contestants to reflect on what the Fourth of July meant to them.

The winners were:

First Place: Robyn King of Columbia

Second Place:  Lisa Powell of Irmo

Third Place:  April Johnson Reed of Gilbert

Honorable mentions were :

Cary Palmer of Irmo

Jan & Jon Rohner of Leesville

While some celebrated the day by boat, others took to the beach at the Dominion Energy park on the Lexington side of the dam for cookouts and to enjoy their time by the water.

The celebrations concluded later with fireworks shot off over the lake.

The photos of the winning boats were provided by the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board, which puts on the Independence Day festivities on the lake.