By: Ann Redus (UTSA)
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Initially, worries of low water levels on Lake Travis threatened to cancel AquaPalooza. Then, Hurricane Alex was headed toward the Texas coastline with plenty of rain to dump over the Austin area, possibly flooding Lake Travis. Luckily, those bullets have been dodged. Now, with AquaPalooza just a few days away, everyone’s biggest worry is if they’ll have enough booze to last them through the day.
What is AquaPalooza, you ask?
AquaPalooza is a series of free, on-water parties that take place across the country and around the world throughout the last couple of weekends in July. This year the host of the AquaPalooza, Sea Ray Boats, chose Lake Travis near Austin, Texas to be THE PLACE for its Signature Event. Along with Sea Ray, the number one Sea Ray dealer in North America – Sail and Ski at Lake Travis, will host a day’s worth of free, live entertainment, tons of booze, and great food for all the boaters out on the lake.
What to expect?
The blazing sounds of country music superstar, Brad Paisley, thousands of bikinis, and tons and tons of beer. Ah, how nice. In the past, over 3,000 boats have been afloat during the Signature Event at AquaPalooza. Boaters are encouraged to arrive well before the event starts on Saturday. People are only allowed by boat and will be admitted access as early as 7am Friday, July 9. About 2,000 spots for boats will be available on Friday based on a first-come basis. Boats will be organized using a rafting grid. Also on Friday, a Battle of the Bands competition will be an all-day event to determine who will open for the Signature Event artist, Brad Paisley the following day.
On Saturday, July 10, if there is any additional space available for boaters, the rafting grids will open at 7am on a first-come basis. Those attending AquaPalooza will be able to buy food and drinks on land all day long. Throughout the day, partiers on the water will be hearing music from up-and-coming country music artists such as Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice, Joanna Smith, Matt Stillwell, and the winner of the Battle of the Bands competition from a huge, oversized stage on the shore. Then, at 5pm, award-winning country music sensation, Brad Paisley will take the stage for an epic concert that will last until just before sun down.
Convinced yet? Thought so. If you don’t have a boat, people from all around the country are hitting up the AquaPalooza Facebook page to find boaters willing to take any stragglers wanting to attend this huge event on the lake.
So come out to Lake Travis, this Saturday, July 10 at The Reserve at Lake Travis for one of the biggest lake parties EVER.
