Memorial Day, traditionally signaling the beginning of lake season on Logan Martin and Neely Henry, has passed, and we’re already headed to 4th of July and beyond.
And with the season comes scores of activities on and around our lakes – everything from bull riding to fireworks to weeknight sailing races just for fun.
Bulls on the Lake, you ask? Why yes, that’s precisely the name of this event that raises funds for Future Farmers of America, a program at Pell City High School designed to engage students in agricultural-related careers. This show of bucking bulls and rodeo is held right on the banks of Logan Martin Lake with its view of the water creating a scenic backdrop and a memorable experience along with it.
In Gadsden, the Riverfront Sportsplex is taking shape on the banks of the Coosa River. A massive project by the City of Gadsden and Gadsden State Community College, the sportsplex is sure to become a recreational destination point. And we’ll take you on a tour of what it has to offer in the years to come – a sportsman’s paradise nestled along the shoreline.
We’ll go back in time to the beginning of an iconic restaurant called The Ark, when it was just that – a water vessel. The Riverside landmark wasn’t on land it all. Instead, it was moored offshore to get around those pesky Prohibition laws in the 1930s. That’s not all to this restaurant’s story, though. We’ll take you through the years and its evolution – a gathering spot for NASCAR, a movie set and the home of nationally recognized catfish dinners. And they still serve alcohol, only this time it’s strictly legal.
On Neely Henry in Ohatchee, you’ll find a couple’s own lakeside paradise, where they’re cooking up something special in our In the Kitchen series. In this popular feature, we take you inside the kitchen and around the house of some of the most spectacular homes on Neely Henry and Logan Martin lakes. You’ll meet the masters of the kitchen, and they’ll even share a recipe or two with you – something to savor long after the reading is done.
It’s summer at Birmingham Sailing Club, just below Logan Martin Dam, and that means plenty of activity going on – even on a weeknight. The club launched its Weeknight Fun Races in 2021, and the new tradition continues. It’s time to unwind, and they do it in style. Take a peek.
On a more poignant note, we pay special tribute to Dave Evans Jr. of Greensport, who passed away earlier this year. His life had many an experience, but he perhaps will be best known as the ‘last riverboat man.’ He and his father operated the final ferry on the Coosa River before Neely Henry was created.
As always, there’s plenty more in this issue of LakeLife 24/7 Magazine®. Turn the page and discover it all with us.