The hits just keep coming
Story by Carol Pappas
Submitted Photos
If Boo Bash on Logan Martin were a song, it would top the charts year after year.
You would think one year could not outdo the one that came before it, but you’d be wrong. More imagination. More creativity. More smiles and laughter all around – that’s Boo Bash in perfect pitch once again.
October’s edition was threatened by severe weather for days leading up to the Saturday event, but Mother Nature apparently didn’t want to disappoint, and the rains held off. Organizers adjusted the hours, and it was smooth sailing from there.
This dock-to-dock trick-or-treating by boat and on land at Lakeside Park’s “Boo Slough” launched four years ago when Pell City lakeside residents Sonya Hubbard and Kelli Lasseter turned a ‘what if’ into a ‘must have.’
From its fledgling beginning with a few boats and Boo Stops (decorated docks) with treats distributed for kids, adults and pets, it was well on its way to one of the most anticipated events on the lake.
It draws not only the lake community together, it lures Boo Bashers from all over the region to Logan Martin – even from out of state. It attracts TV, newspaper and magazine coverage. And revelers fill Facebook and Instagram pages with post-Boo Bash photos and videos recounting one heck of a good time.
“Boo Bashers have rated us 4.9 stars so far,” said Lasseter the day after. They track the feedback through surveys to improve year after year.
By the numbers, registered boats were at 199, but it is estimated 225 took part with over 1,500 Boo Bashers on board. There were 73 registered pier hosts – Boo Stops – but more participated without registering.
“On average, there were 5 adults, 3 children and 1 pet per boat. We call them our Boo Bashers,” Lasseter said. “The total numbers registered were 925 adults, 600 kids, and 125 pets. These are about the same as 2024 numbers when Boo was held on Saturday. Last year’s numbers far exceeded this year’s, but this year was probably the best event yet.”
The northern most point in Ragland more than tripled the number of boats they saw last year, and “our overall participation from registered Boo Stops in that area quadrupled,” she added. “Angler’s Pointe was a big reason plus Blue i Bistro and Bikini Buddy sponsoring host piers at Fireball Flats.”
Sponsorships grew this year, raising money to benefit Logan Martin Lake Protection Association and its lighted buoy placement program that has seen more than 100 lighted buoys and bridge marker reflectors installed to make the lake a safer place.
And when the day was done, the after party at The Tiki Hut drew huge crowds for the awarding of trophies provided by Angela Henson of Bikini Buddy.
And the winners in Boat Decorating are:
- Under the Sea – Best Theme Boo Cruiser
- Logan Martin Graveyard of Scallywags (Pirate Ship) – Best Full Deck Spectacle Boo Cruiser
- Grease – Best Crew Boo Cruiser
- Nauti Tiki – Most Creative Boo Cruiser
- Waffle House – Honorable Mention
Winners in dock decorating by region were:
- Lower Lake – Davey Jones’ Locker, winner, Fear the Pier/The Zoomies, runner-up
- Middle Lake – Little Dock of Horrors, winne, Welcome to Whoville, runner-up
- Upper Lake – Have No Fear – The Superheroes are Here, winner, Andy’s Toy Dock and Dead Ball, runners-up
