Joyce L. Miller
joyce.miller@lakesunonline.com
The Missouri State Water Patrol is planning for as many as 1,500 boats to drop anchor for what has become known as the ultimate family boating party when AquaPalooza 2010 kicks off at the 19-mile marker.
It is the largest on-the-water event of the summer, sponsored by Sea Ray and MarineMax as an annual get-together on the water.
The one-day event gets underway at noon July 17 and runs throughout the day with a full slate of entertainment for the afternoon. The festivities are anchored at Dog Days Bar and Grill at the 19-mile marker on the Grand Glaize Arm of Lake of the Ozarks.
“Everyone is welcome to attend, this is a public event open to the community, on land and on water,” said Teresa Riley of MarineMax. One of the things that makes this such a great event is it is geared toward families spending time together and having fun, she said.
MarineMax partnered with Dog Days to be the host site for AquaPalooza. In its third year, Aquapalooza has turned into a one-stop day trip drawing families and large groups of boaters who spend the afternoon lazing in the water, taking in the music and hanging out. This will mark the second year it has been held in the same location.
On Saturday, the boats will begin arriving early in the day. By early afternoon, the 19-mile marker will be jammed with rafts, tubes, canoes, kayaks and everything from fishing boats to yachts and cruisers.
Although the no-wake/no-mooring zone at the mouth of the Grand Glaize Arm will be in effect from 10 a.m. until sunset, the Water Patrol is making an exception and on Saturday only will allow boats to anchor in the no-wake-zone north of the Highway 54 Bridge.
A crew of Water Patrol officers will be on hand to promote safety around the 19-mile mark.
Due to increased traffic, Captain Matt Walz said the Water Patrol is asking boaters to use extra caution while operating in the area.
“We will ensure that navigation remains open in the area, keeping one side of the channel open to move traffic in and out,” Walz said. Based on last year’s event, the Water Patrol is expecting anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 boats. The site offers a large area and no-wake protection, he said.
The development in that area is primarily commercial. The 2009 event did not draw any complaints from the few nearby private dock owners, Walz said.
Dog Days is one of the lake’s most popular waterfront bar and entertainment spots. By land it is off Jefferies Road in Osage Beach. By water Dog Days is at the confluence of the main channel and Grand Glaize Arm of the lake.
MarineMax invites all boaters to join in for an afternoon filled with boating, family, friends, great tunes, prizes, and much more including a free concert with America’s No. 1 Party Band.
Rocking the lake all afternoon, get funky with Blue Orleans who offer a mixture of zydeco, Bourbon Street Rock ‘n’ Roll, Blues, Reggae and Caribbean.
Aquapalooza will keep it going with a high energy performance by the rockin’ country duo, LoCash Cowboys.
And, for the grand finale, Otis Day & The Knights will pump up the party with your all time favorite dance tunes including their classic hits ‘Shout’ & ‘Shama Lama Doing Dong’ from the movie Animal House.
Register online to receive AquaPalooza updates and get information on the Friday Night Kick Off Party, rental slips at Dog Days on Saturday, radio broadcast, t-shirt giveaways, sponsor promotions, AquaPalooza Collector’s Wine, “Do the Dew”, Get Caught with Pepsi”, and many more fun events.
AquaPalooza
WHAT: On the water party and concert
BEFORE YOU GO: Register at www.aquapalooza.com
WHERE: In front of Dog Days Bar & Grill
Lake Ozark, Missouri 65049
DATE: July 17, 2010
TIME: noon to 5:00p.m.
PHONE: 573-365-5382
SPONSORS: MarineMax Lake Ozark and Sea Ray
DIRECTIONS to event: 19MM, just west of the Grand Glaize Bridge, in front of Dog Days Bar & Grill
THE BANDS:
• Blue Orleans
• LoCash Cowboys
• Otis Day & The Knights
