by Joyce Deaton, photos courtesy of LKNFun

Got your cooler, floats and sunscreen ready?  Plans are getting into high gear for Lake Norman’s Aquapalooza 2010, set for July 31 at Midway Marina in Terrell.

Part of a worldwide series of celebrations developed by Sea Ray boats, the Lake Norman event is sponsored by Sea Ray of Lake Norman. Similar events will be held during the last two weeks of July in more than 100 locations in the U.S., and Canada, Central America, Egypt and Austria. Since the Aquapalooza festivals debuted in 2006, worldwide attendance has tripled. Last year’s Aquapaloozas drew more than 15,000 boats and 84,000 people worldwide. Each year’s series kicks off with a signature event – held last year on Alabama’s Lake Martin, where country music star Alan Jackson entertained a crowd of 4,000 boats and 35,000 people. This year’s signature event is scheduled for Lake Travis in Texas with a major entertainer yet to be announced.

This year marks the second annual Lake Norman Aquapalooza. “It’s a big, family-oriented, on-the-water party,” says Dick Seidenspinner of Spinnerworks, the Lake Norman event planner who is pulling everything together. “Last year we had about 2,700 people at Midway for the event, and this year we’re expecting 4,500 to 5,000.”

Aquapalooza is free to the public, but boaters are asked to register. At the registration area, you’ll receive a goody bag from local merchants and a tie-up assignment on one of several half-mile-long tie lines emanating from the 50-foot square floating stage. Large areas are motor-free and reserved for swimming, floating and playing in the water. “You can swim from the back of your boat up to the stage, and we’ll be throwing noodles and beach balls,” says Seidenspinner. “Last year people brought those big blow-up jumping platforms. The weather was fabulous. It was great.”

The Aquapalooza is open from noon until 6 p.m., with music by a well-known regional band from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Last year The Spongetones filled the lake with their power pop sound. This year’s band is soon to be chosen. Personalities from Charlotte’s WRFX radio will also be on hand.

Boats of all brands are invited, and a few models of Sea Rays will be on display from Sea Ray of Lake Norman so boaters can give them a walkover. Sea Ray, which has manufactured boats for more than 50 years, makes runabouts and cruisers ranging from 17 to 61 feet. There will also be giveaways, and food will be available from the marina’s Boathouse Grill, renovated with an updated menu when brothers Mark, Freddie and Jeff Lancaster bought and refurbished the entire Midway Marina property last year. Known for its burgers and barbecue, the grill this year is making it even easier for partygoers to get their grub. You’ll be able to phone in your orders – or e-mail them on Midway’s wi-fi network – and have food delivered to your boat by jet ski.

Technology will also give the band a boost. By dialing in to a specified radio frequency, you’ll be able to hear the music through your boat’s sound system as far away as four miles using a telemetry network. “You can hear the band really well anyway for about a quarter of a mile, but this will make the entertainment better if you’re tied up further away,” says Seidenspinner.

Don’t crank that music up too loud, though. “This is not a big beer fest,” he explains. “It’s a way to gather boating enthusiasts in a family-friendly environment. We’ll have law enforcement people from Iredell, Lincoln, Catawba and Mecklenburg counties on jet skis – not to be overbearing, but just to make sure everything stays safe and enjoyable for everyone.”

Last year’s event drew boaters who trailered their craft from other parts of the Carolinas for the party. And, although Aquapalooza is a water-based festival, you can even come by land, Seidenspinner adds. “We’re not sure yet just what the logistics of this will be. Last year the Lancasters ran shuttle buses from Big Daddy’s just up the road. You can just walk in, register and get in the water. There will be noodles and life preservers for sale, so you’re all set.”

Midway Marina is located at 8693 Highway 150 East in Terrell. By water, it’s near the lake’s north-south midpoint on the main channel. Recent improvements by the Lancasters include dredging for deeper water near its 243 slips, so you can probably come to Aquapalooza worry-free, even if you’re in a good-sized boat. Other facilities at Midway include restrooms, fuel and pump-out service.

For more information on Aquapalooza, call Spinnerworks at 704-895-6505 or Sea Ray of Lake Norman at 704-892-9676 or check the web at www.aquapalooza.com or www.searayoflakenorman.com.