Bigger, better, more entertaining than ever
Story by Linda Long
LakeLife 24/7 Archive photos
Submitted photos
When the dogwoods bloom, and tulips and daffodils compete for color, you know it’s springtime in the South. You also know it’s party time in Pell City!
The traditional must-attend event of the year is just weeks away, Logan Martin LakeFest and Boat Show, the Southeast’s largest in-water boat show, May 20 – May 22 at Lakeside Park.
And why not? Where else can you be filled with music, carnival food, more music, barbecue and what some call the best crab cakes anywhere around? And you just might go home with a brand-new boat.
According to LakeFest Eric Housh, who organizes the annual event with Justin Hogeland, some 35,000 folks are expected to attend this year, up from 5,000 at the first one 12 years ago.
And they’ll be coming by boat or car – maybe on foot – lawn chairs, kids and pets in tow.
“Yeah,” laughed Housh, “a guy brought a pet snake one year. But mostly, we get dogs. It’s the biggest party on the lake – one of those events that’s family friendly and pet friendly.”
Housh says while the three-day festival offers something for everyone, the boats are by far the biggest draw. Seven boat dealers are showcasing their products this year with everything thing from bass boats to pontoons, tritoons and personal watercrafts.
“The boats are in the water,” said Housh. “People can actually test drive them on the lake, something they can’t do at dealerships. Of course, our presenting sponsor is America’s First Federal Credit Union, so they’re on site with their equipment. If somebody finds a boat they really like, they can finance it right there and basically go home a boat owner.”
Housh applauds all the event’s corporate sponsors saying, “We’ve been really blessed in these 12 years with a core group of sponsors who, from day one, believed in this event and the community and who worked to support it. Having that level of commitment from the corporate partners makes putting on an event like LakeFest so much easier, the fact that we’re able to keep it free. We always said we wanted something that would not only enhance the community but also give back to it.”
And they have – through the impressive event itself and through the tens of thousands of dollars the parent organization, Logan Martin Charity Foundation, has given to nonprofits throughout the community and to improve the park. A pavilion at the park in memory of Jerry Woods, one of the original founders and visionaries of LakeFest, and additional boat slips are courtesy of the group’s foundation.
Housh also gave kudos to the City of Pell City for its support. “Having Lakeside Park as the venue and having the support of the city really helped us grow the event. It’s been phenomenal. The city has always been great to us, and we’ve enjoyed their support.”
This year, some 50 vendors will offer their wares at LakeFest. All services or products must be targeted to lake living or relevant to the lake lifestyle. Preference is given to businesses that are headquartered or primarily operate in the Logan Martin Lake area.
“We’re expanding the vendor area this year,” said Housh. “We don’t want to exclude anybody who wants to be a part of the event, but we are kind of selective in terms of the kind of vendors we allow down there.”
They have moved the parking area to allow for a lot of green spaces, kids area, access to the splash pad and a lot of areas of interest all weekend long.
On the concert-sized main stage, live music is featured all weekend long as well as all kinds of giveaways. Headlining the 2022 edition is a free concert Saturday night at 7 by country music star Tyler Farr.
As is tradition, on Friday night, around 8 p.m., fireworks light up the sky over Logan Martin Lake with a spectacular show dedicated to veterans, and Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home residents are special guests for the show.
Despite having a day job, Housh says the reason he volunteers his time and energy to LakeFest is simple. “I love it. I love the lake. I grew up on this lake skiing and boating and fishing. I’ve always had a passion for it.”
And by the looks of the size of the crowds that flock there each year, they do, too.
Editor’s Note: Follow LakeFest on Facebook and Instagram. Check loganmartinlakefest.com for updates to scheduling.
LakeFest Schedule
May 20: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- 8 am – 1 pm: Vendor Setup
- 2 pm: LakeFest open to the public
- 2 pm – 9pm: Beginning GIVEAWAYS on the hour, EVERY HOUR!
- 4pm – 9 pm: Live music on the TRACKER OFF ROAD stage
- Soon after dark (estimated around 8 pm): FIREWORKS show honoring veterans from the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home
- 9 pm: LakeFest closes for the evening
May 21: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- 7 am – 9:30 am Vendor Setup
- 10 am: LakeFest Day 2 Open!
- 11 am – 9 pm: GIVEAWAYS on the hour, EVERY HOUR
- 12 pm – 9 pm: Live music on the TRACKER OUTDOORS stage
- 7 pm: FREE CONCERT Featuring Country Superstar TYLER FARR
- 9 pm: LakeFest closes for the evening
May 22: Noon – 5:00 PM
- 12 pm –LakeFest Day 3 Open!
- 12 pm – 5 pm: Giveaways on the hour, EVERY HOUR
- 1 pm – 4 pm: Live music on the TRACKER OUTDOORS stage
- 5 pm: LakeFest 2022 ends!
There will be raffle giveaways every hour on the hour that LakeFest is open.
