Back bigger and better than ever
Story by Leigh Pritchett
Submitted Photos
Logan Martin LakeFest & Boat Show returns in May with more entertainment, more vendors, more boats, impressive giveaways and even an extra day to enjoy it all.
The weekend of events May 17-19 will mark the ninth year for LakeFest, an event that celebrates lake life.
This year, a pontoon boat and an all-terrain vehicle are among the many giveaways.
The free, family-friendly LakeFest – to be held at Lakeside Park at the Pell City Civic Center complex – is the largest in-water boat show in the Southeast, according to event coordinators Eric Housh and Justin Hogeland.
To date, the annual fundraiser has generated $250,000 that has been given to about 40 different charities, said Hogeland, a board member of LakeFest’s parent, Logan Martin Charity Foundation.
This year, LakeFest will again have a three-day format after having a two-day schedule for a few years. “We’re adding back a Sunday this year,” said Housh, who is also a foundation board member.
The hours of LakeFest are noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
During LakeFest, five boat dealers will display a total of 15 brands of vessels.
“Some of those boats will be in the water and people (who qualify) will be able to test drive, which is unique,” Housh said.
The personal watercraft vendor Speed Zone will have Sea Doos, Yamaha Wave Runners and Kawasaki jet skis that those who qualify can take for a spin.
“That will be a lot of fun,” Housh said.
In addition, Riders Harley-Davidson will show off motorcycles, and enthusiasts will get to experience the power, speed and thrill through a simulator.
On-site financing to purchase a land or water vessel will be offered by America’s First Federal Credit Union, LakeFest’s presenting sponsor.
In the beginning…
Jerry Woods of Woods Surfside Marina, Fred Casey of Tradesman Co., and Lee Holmes of Sylacauga Marine & ATV brought the first LakeFest to life, said Mark Hildebrant, Woods’ son-in-law.
“Jerry was one of the main forces behind the event,” said Housh. “… He was the brain of the original idea.”
The goal was to raise money for charitable causes, particularly Logan Martin Lake Protection Association (LMLPA), said Housh and Hogeland.
“Jerry’s dream was to give back to the community and have an event that showcased the lake and lake life,” said Hildebrant, a foundation board member and current owner of Woods Surfside Marina.
The event itself would be free, but sponsorship from boat manufacturers and local businesses would generate the funds that would go toward LMLPA projects and other community endeavors.
The inaugural LakeFest was held at a shoreline subdivision. The event brought together three boat dealers, about 20 vendors and a crowd estimated at 2,000. Three acts provided entertainment, with no stage and only a small public address system. About $2,000 was raised for LMLPA, funds that went toward constructing the wetlands boardwalk at Lakeside Park, Hogeland said.
The early years of LakeFest were a struggle because it was a new event, and being outdoors, it was at the mercy of the weather. In fact, rain canceled it one year.
But Woods and the foundation board members believed in LakeFest and its mission.
More boat manufacturers and local businesses gave their sponsorship, and the event expanded significantly.
When LakeFest relocated to Lakeside Park, the celebration really blossomed, greatly increasing the number of acts, vendors, dealers, attendees and the amount of money raised for charities.
The upcoming LakeFest will feature more than a dozen musical acts, performing on a 24-foot stage with professional lighting and sound. On Saturday, comedian Darren Knight – also known as “Southern Momma” – will make a special appearance.
In addition to the motorcycle and boat dealers, auto dealers will be on site. The inflatables and water slides in Kid Zone will keep the younger set entertained on Friday and Saturday. As many as 50 vendors will sell all sorts of items – from jewelry, art and furniture to food, food and more food.
One vendor even comes from Florida to sell crab cakes.
“The food is always a highlight,” Housh said.
This year’s LakeFest is on target to be the largest in the celebration’s history.
“We have exceeded our growth this year,” Hogeland said. “We actually have a waiting list of boat vendors.”
Housh added that the space for other vendors is at capacity as well. “We have to turn vendors away every year. We have to turn sponsors away every year.”
Even a place to dock a boat has become a premium, Housh said. His advice to those planning to go to LakeFest by water is to arrive early to secure a spot.
The appeal of LakeFest draws people from Birmingham, Montgomery, Anniston, Oxford, Huntsville and event Atlanta, Ga., Hogeland said.
“I like to see people coming here from other places because this is an idyllic getaway,” Housh said.
He noted that Pell City is, first of all, fortunate to have a large and attractive Lakeside Park that can accommodate an event such as LakeFest. In addition to that, it is unique to have an in-water boat show where people may test-drive models, talk to experts, and get on-site financing.
“Having LakeFest at Lakeside Park has been a wonderful experience,” said Brian Muenger, city manager for the City of Pell City. “It is a great community-building event, as well as a means of promoting the city and the lake in general. Last year was the biggest event yet. …”
Housh estimates the 2018 LakeFest attendance at 15,000.
“Any time you can bring that many people to the area, it’s a great thing,” Muenger said. “The lake is our biggest draw in terms of new residents, and LakeFest provides a huge amount of exposure for the city.”
LakeFest has provided about $50,000 for charities each of the last three years and while many charitable causes have benefited from LakeFest funds, Hogeland said Lakeside Park and the City of Pell City are two of the main recipients.
“The Logan Martin Charity Foundation has … been a generous supporter of (the) Fire and Police Departments, which we are thankful for,” Muenger said. “They have also partnered with the city to expand the docks at the park, which was a $50,000 project. We are working towards further improvements in the years to come, and with the continual growth of the event, I know its impact on the community will continue to expand.”
Tonja Ramey, LMLPA president, said LakeFest gives exposure to and promotes LMLPA’s work of keeping the lake clean and teaching about the lake’s impact upon humans, ecology and economy.
“The primary purpose of LMLPA is to educate the public on issues and activities that impact the use and vitality of Logan Martin Lake,” Ramey said. “… (At LakeFest,) we are able to set up a booth, mingle with the vendors and share information with the visitors about the importance of making improvements for the safety of swimmers and boaters, as well as protecting the quality of our lake. And it also gives us the opportunity to share information and possibly recruit anyone that may be interested in learning to be a water monitor. Events like LakeFest are also a great opportunity to sign up new members to LMLPA.”
A legacy remembered
Year after year, Woods’ influence continued to be a positive force in LakeFest.
Then, just four days before the 2017 LakeFest, Woods died, Hildebrant said.
Hogeland and Housh said it was very difficult to continue with LakeFest that year, but the group did so for Woods’ sake.
The activities this year will begin with a time of remembering Woods’ vision and commitment.
On Friday evening will be another time of remembrance, as LakeFest honors some residents of Col. Robert L. Howard Veterans Home in Pell City. The veterans will be transported in a procession to LakeFest, where they will be treated in the VIP tent (sponsored by State Farm agents Bart Perry and Brandon Tate) to dinner, followed by a fireworks spectacular (sponsored by Bennington, a maker of pontoon boats).
Speaking of pontoons, an 18-foot Avalon with a 50-horsepower Honda motor and an estimated value of $23,000 will be given away Saturday evening. So will an $8,500 Tracker ATV.
“I think that’s going to be pretty popular,” Housh said of those two giveaways at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
“Everyone who attends LakeFest gets a ticket free,” Housh said. The ticket allows each person to register at the LakeFest tent for the hourly giveaways.
Coordinating LakeFest is an undertaking that keeps Housh and Hogeland rather busy for many months. Nonetheless, “this is my favorite time of year,” Housh said, noting that it is gratifying to see the way the community shows support by attending LakeFest.
“One of the perks is the check presentations to charities,” Hogeland added. Giving those, he said, is reward for all the work.
Check out Logan Martin LakeFest & Boat Show on Facebook. To get sponsor and vendor information and applications, directions to the park, or a schedule of events, visit loganmartinLakeFest.com. In addition to Housh, Hogeland and Hildebrant, Logan Martin Charity Foundation’s other board members are Fred Casey and Lee Holmes. Judy Carr is the financial officer. The foundation is a 501(c)3 organization.
