Harrison Township

Aquapalooza extended for 2012

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Two Macomb County marinas located on Lake St. Clair have teamed up to host the significantly expanded and nationally renowned Aquapalooza, a family-friendly celebration of the safe and fun boating lifestyle on Michigan’s waterways.

Organizers say water lovers are invited to attend the free event July 28-29 and must come by boat, jet ski, canoe, kayak or other water transportation to enjoy the music of nine local bands set up at the beachfront of Belle Maer Marina, just off Belvidere Bay, north of the mouth of the Clinton River and directly east of the Selfridge ANG airfield.

Merchandise and food tents will be set up at MacRay Harbor, featuring many local businesses: Parkway Chrysler, Wolverine Harley Davison, Algonac Harbor Club Restaurant, Great Lakes Docks and Decks, Sound Waves, Xtream Fitness, Maui Jims, Wiggins Cheese Cakes and The Pop Corn Co.

Tom Lang from the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce, which hosted a July 25 Lake St. Clair Appreciation Day press conference to announce Aquapalooza, said what makes this year’s event unique is that all event participants must come by boat for all activities — no cars will have access to the marinas.

Activities and concerts will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 28 and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 29. The nine featured local bands — along with DJ AMF both days — include Kaledio, After Dark Amusement Park, Robert James (Kid Rock’s son), Dirty Americans, and Ty Stone on July 28; and Meldrum Brothers Band, The Hips, Daniel Harrison and $2 Highway, and Paulina Jayne on July 29.

Pete Beauregard of Colony Marine in St. Clair Shores and Sea Ray has sponsored Aquapalooza for several years as a smaller one-afternoon event, but 2012 was the time for Aquapalooza to experience huge growth on the water and provide an expanded musical lineup for the family-oriented experience on the Lake St. Clair beachfront.

The professional stage and concert set up by Tonic will allow for improved sound several hundred yards out to all boaters near on the waterfront. A roped off area will keep all powerboats away from the shoreline by 60 feet to create a safe zone for paddle boats, swimmers, standing-room fans and beach chairs in the shallow water in front of the stage.

“This is a huge commitment by both marinas, Chrysler, Colony Marine and Sea Ray Boats to greatly expand this wonderful family event on our beautiful Lake St. Clair,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel in a statement. “It will be a huge weekend on the beachfront in celebrating Michigan boaters; and by growing it to a two-day schedule, Aquapalooza can only mean a boost in local economic impact and at least double the fun for everyone.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.