AquaBoom blasts off this weekend
Wow! Can you believe it’s already time for AquaBoom 2018?
The 49th annual AquaBoom will be held June 30 – July 4, with five fun -filled days of fun and sun, and a little pomp and circumstance thrown in for good measure.
With 48 years behind it, for generations this "granddaddy" of all the Hill Country celebrations has been attended by lifetime residents and new transplants, tourists and locals, young and old. This year’s celebration — with the theme “A Salute to Freedom” — will be no exception.
With events taking place throughout the community, one can expect music, arts and crafts, tournaments, a barbecue cookoff, parades, water events, a patriotic concert, children's activities, pony rides, a street dance and so much more!
The AquaBoom Parks Development and Community Outreach Corporation, which organizes AquaBoom, tries to load this weekend with events so that visitors and members of the community can find entertainment and a great family celebration weekend here in the Hill Country.
With the exception of a few competitive events where registration fees apply, the entire weekend is a no-cost celebration in tribute to this great country.
AquaBoom also is bringing back the Spirit of Kingsland Award this year, sponsored by the Kingsland Chamber of Commerce, in which all businesses are welcome and encouraged to participate by decorating their businesses for the Fourth of July holiday as part of a community-wide celebration of American independence and Kingsland pride.
The holiday weekend begins with the patriotic Veteran's Dinner on Friday, June 29, held at and hosted by the Chapel of the Hills Baptist Church in Buchanan Dam. Volunteers will be catering steak dinners to 150+ people, including veterans, their families, and people from the community and surrounding areas. This event is open to the public, contact Chapel of the Hills Baptist Church for reservations.
Saturday, June 30, is full of activities for all ages. Starting the day is the annual AquaBoom Golf Tournament held at Lighthouse Country Club. Also hosted by Lighthouse and the Lone Star BBQ Society is the AquaBoom State Championship BBQ CookOff, which will be held on July 7 this year.
This year’s Arts and Craft Show will be held just off RR1431, behind M&M Donuts. With oak trees overhead, grass under foot, and plenty of parking, this venue is the perfect location to come out and enjoy a day of fun for the whole family.
More than 60 vendors from around the state will be joining this year. For the kids there will be pony rides, Shortcake’s Amazing Facepainting and Balloon Art, inflatables and a new Patriotic Costume Contest, just to name a few. And don’t forget to stop by the main AquaBoom tent and get Sea Doo drawing tickets! Food and music will be rounding out the day and there will be a stand selling fireworks to help people get started on their own celebration.
Activity picks up at the Kingsland Community Park on Sunday, July 1, with Horseshoe and Washer tournaments, or fesitval goers can try their hand at the Poker Run on the River. Then, take your winnings back down to the Arts and Crafts Show for some more shopping and fun for the kiddos!
After you’ve worked up an appetite, head on over to the First Baptist Church where the Lambda Nu Service Organization will be serving our annual Patriotic Meal, followed by the Patriotic Concert.
This community really knows how to show its guests a good time, and Monday, July 2, is the perfect opportunity to step out about town and feel the welcome. No matter what your pleasure, Kingsland has something for everyone.
Shop local boutiques, hit one of the courses for a round of golf, lunch at one of the fabulous places to eat, relax in one of the luxurious spas, or just spend a lazy day on the river soaking up the sun. Kingsland is truly a hidden secret. Come and discover its bounty.
Monday night holds a special treat for residents and visitors alike. His Joshua House has joined the AquaBoom Team this year with a new event – their first annual Wild Game fundraising dinner and auction at the Kingsland Community Center. They will have dinner, live music, door prizes, raffles, and silent auctions.
As Tuesday, July 3, rolls around and the AquaBoom volunteers are hard at work, this is a great day to get out and explore some of the hidden treasures one can find in Kingsland and the surrounding areas. There are the legends of Enchanted Rock to explore, river cruises, state parks and wildlife refuges, the hands-on Science Mill, historical landmarks and beautiful scenery to enjoy.
You can visit the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead and see what life was like in 1918, visit the historic hotel and train depot from the era when Kingsland was a major trading hub on the river, or grab a bite to eat in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre House (known to us locals as Grand Central Café).
Be sure and get plenty of rest though, because Monday night you’ll want to put your dancin’ boots on and join the River Rat Revue at the annual Street Dance at First United Bank, located on Ranch Road 2900.
And that brings us to the highlight of the celebration, Independence Day! This is the day everyone works towards, and it shows in the pride and camaraderie you’ll see as the community gathers along Ranch Road 1431 and Ranch Road 2900 early on the morning of the Fourth. Be sure and get your seat early — the parade route fills up fast!
There are two parades, the Children’s Parade and the Land Parade, and everyone is welcome to show their creativity with an entry. Along the parade route you will find food vendors, snow cones, a carnival, and an all-around general good time.
By later that afternoon, you can feel the excitement in the air as everyone makes their way down to the 2900 Bridge. We have food, music, a boat parade, a rubber ducky race, a wacky raft race. and more! The culmination of our celebration — the moment we’ve all been waiting for — is an awe-inspiring fireworks show that is truly a salute to the freedom that this beautiful country affords us every day.
For more information, a complete Schedule of Events, or to register for your favorite events please visit kingslandaquaboom.org or contact Kingsland Aquaboom at 325-248-5393.
