SISTER LAKES — Winners of boat parades in Sister Lakes do not just get a sign to stick in their lawn or a golden trophy, they also get bragging rights. Both Dewey and Round Lake residents will have their chance to win both prizes this weekend.

The Dewey Lake Property Owners Association will host its annual Dewey Lake Boat Parade at 3 p.m. Saturday in front of Sandy Shores, located on the south end of Dewey Lake. In order to encourage new participants, a suggested theme of movies was decided, said Veronnica Towne, the Dewey Lake Boat Parade organizer and a DLPOA board member.

“We are trying to encourage, especially the new people to participate, who aren’t sure what to do,” Towne said. “This is a premiere family-friendly event, so we thought movies seemed appropriate.”

Towne has been involved with the boat parade for more than 10 years. The parade was started as a way to increase membership, but has since impacted generations of residents, she said.

“Generations of nieces and nephews always talk about how fun it is,” Towne said. “Everyone keeps their boat theme and decorations under wraps until last minute.”

Donations from local businesses support a $100, $75 and $50 prize for the top three finishers, and a judge decides who places. Overall, the boat parade receives around $400 in donations from sponsors and has more than 50 participating pontoons, Towne said.

“We are in a real tight knit community, so it’s not hard to ask [businesses] for a gift certificate,” Towne said. “It encourages their business, too. I think when we give out the prize packages, the important thing is sometimes winners are new people, and they haven’t tried a new business yet. The community has been really good at sponsoring us.”

While it is not known how long the boat parades have been around, Towne said Dewey Lake has been hosting the event for as long as she can remember. Each lake in Sister Lakes has its own parade usually around the Fourth of July, she said.

Round Lake’s boat parade will kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday from the sandbar. The suggested theme is patriotic or favorite holiday, according to Randy Reimers, the event’s organizer.

“Even Cable Lake, which is a non-motorized lake, has a little paddleboard parade,” Towne said.

Towne, who has lived on Dewey Lake her whole life, is amazed by the people she meets through the parade, she said.

“I’ve lived on this lake for 50 years. I love getting to meet the new people and the kids,” Towne said. “I enjoy watching the adults act like kids. Everyone’s down [at their boats] taping or zip tying some decoration to the boat. It’s a big deal. Every year, someone really takes it to the next level, and it’s great to see that.”

Boat decorations vary, Towne said, but her son dresses in a sasquatch costume every year to preserve the tradition of the Dewey Lake Monster.

“Last year, the Sister Lakes Fire Department came as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Towne said. “The kids went crazy. We’ve had everything from ice cream trucks to pirate ships to giant swans.”

Besides being a family-friendly event, boat parades are a community building opportunity, Towne said.

“There are a lot of people we don’t know, and new people who are buying or renting homes here,” Towne said. “It’s a good opportunity for us to all come together.”

The following sponsors have donated to DLPOA’s event: JD’s Marina, DLPOA, Lakeview Inn, Sister Lakes Brewing Company, Driftwood, Jimmies Liquor Store, Ramona Roller Rink, BT’s and Sweet Thangs.