Lake Lanier Georgia - Lake Lanier Drought Marinas Parks

Magical Nights of Lights

Holiday packages including accommodation, one vehicle car passes for the tour of lights, free amusement rides at the holiday village, and a breakfast with Santa buffet are also available. For more information, call 770-945-8787 and mention the Lights Web Package.

Looper Speedway Bleachers

Few are quite as odd as what you can find on the southern edge of Laurel Park in Hall County.

Looper Speedway used to be one of three tracks in Gainesville, in addition to Gainesville Speedway and Lanier Raceway. The track was made of dirt and had a reputation for being one of the most dusty circuits in the south. Events there were among the most popular in the area, attracting hundreds to the weekend races.

However, when the lake was flooded, Looper Speedway was below the water levels and the track disappeared along the with the associated buildings and bleachers.

Laurel Park Entrance

Set close to the venue for the 1996 Olympic rowing competition, it has tennis, baseball, softball and volleyball facilities in addition to a mile-long running track.

The park lies just off the Cleveland Highway, north of Gainesville, and continues to have new facilities added. The most recent addition is a "Bark Park", with space for large and small dogs to play in an enclosed area.

There are also two large boat ramps and a huge parking lot, which makes it a favorite launching area for busy summer days.

University Yacht Club

The parade was opened to all boaters on the Lake in 2005 when the UYC Maritime Foundation took over the event. Once again this year, lake skippers are encouraged to decorate their boats in holiday themes to compete for various prizes and plaques.

A panel of judges from area lake businesses will decide the best in category for best overall, houseboats over 55 feet, houseboats under 55 feet, cruisers, sailboats, and runabouts/pontoons.

Lake Lanier Dock

“Before we can consider a permit, a ranger has to come out and inspect the property,” said Ryan Hartwig, chief ranger for the corps at Buford Dam.

“When the water is this low, it’s hard to estimate what conditions would be like at full pool, so it’s difficult for us to make a decision about the site.”

Lake Lanier Islands

Then there are the buildings: a lodge that will look like it has grown from the ground, cottages, a wellness center, a spa, yacht club and wedding chapel.

And that’s only the beginning.

Virgil Williams, who with his family purchased the lease on the Lake Lanier Islands and Emerald Pointe Resort last year, has a vision for the 1,100-acre property near Gwinnett’s northern tip that is much broader than golf courses and hotels.

Thompson Bridge Road

The site doesn’t currently qualify for dock permits but the builders are hoping the new plans will make the site eligible.

Brett Mercer of Harbor Station, a Gainesville-based corporation, briefly described the plans for 114 condos reaching no higher than five stories and styled in the look of an old English village.