SOAP LAKE — The surface of Soap Lake was lit up Saturday night by canoes, kayaks, inflatables and paddleboards for the annual Moonlight Paddle. 

“We had an amazing turnout, probably one of the best I’ve seen,” said Susan Carson, vice president of the Soap Lake chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event. “We had 52 registered vessels and … probably at least another 10 that were just there for the fun. We had people (who) came clear from West Seattle, Wenatchee and Tri-Cities.” 

More than 100 people in all were on the lake, Carson said, and 50-75 spectators on the beach. 

The Moonlight Paddle has been a tradition in Soap Lake for 18-20 years, according to Denise Keegan, who works at the Soap Lake Tourism Center. Keegan wasn’t sure of the exact year it began. 

“Somebody just decided that they wanted to use glow sticks, because they were really popular with the kids, and they just decided to go out on the lake one night and see what it looked like,” Keegan said. “And it caught on.” 

The cruise began at West Beach Park, because the water access was easier there than at East Beach by Smokiam Park, Carson said. From there they paddled over to East Beach, then across the lake to the western shore, and back to West Beach. Prizes were given for the best-decorated canoe, kayak, standup device and inflatable, as well as for Best Dressed Captain. One prize went to a boat that was either not registered or whose registration had been lost, Carson said. 

There was more going on than just the flotilla, Carson said. Cloudview Kitchen and Bakery brought cold drinks and baked goods, Del-Red Pub offered smoked brisket and Refugio Sur, led by KOH Hair owner Dusty Bolyard, supplied music. 

This year’s Moonlight Paddle marked a return after the event took a hiatus last year, Carson said. Next year, she said, the chamber is going to try to organize more family activities and food options on the beach before the floating fun begins. 

“We’re going to encourage people from even farther away, maybe even Spokane and other areas, to come and be a part of our event,” Carson said. “Because it’s amazing. It was just such an absolutely beautiful night.” 

Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the band that performed at the Moonlight Paddle. It has been corrected above.

The winners 

Best-Dressed Captain: Madchen Sen 

Best Kayak: First place Madchen Sen; second place Kathleen Rosman 

Best Canoe: First place Jason Selm; second place Nick Moore 

Best Standup: First place Codi Loeffler; second place Jennifer Ryan 

Best inflatable: First place not identified; second place Carolyn Smith 

    Moonlight Paddle participants prepare their vessels at West Beach Park.
  

    Lights and glow sticks illuminate Soap Lake for the annual Moonlight Paddle Saturday.