For the fourth time in a row since its debut in 2006, AquaPalooza broke its own records with an amazing total of approximately 15,600 boats and 84,000 people showing up to share in a grand celebration of the boating lifestyle. In the past four years, AquaPalooza has more than tripled in size! We’d like to thank all the attendees, dealers, sponsors and employees who made this summer’s 122 events the most successful yet.

To say that the 2009 Signature Event was a success would be a monumental understatement! An estimated 4,000 boats and 35,000 people showed up for what was by far the biggest single AquaPalooza celebration yet, featuring a concert by country superstar Alan Jackson and up-and-coming artists Matt Stillwell, the Carter Twins, Caitlin and Will, and Jypsi.

“I’m a boating nut. If I told you how many boats I’ve had, you’d think I was crazy,” admits country icon and boat enthusiast Alan Jackson. “I must have 20 woodies dating from the 1920s to 1960s. When you’re out on the water in a classic old boat, it’s as if you’ve gone back in time.”

It’s that love of boats that inspired Alan to throw an ‘AquaPalooza’ concert on Alabama’s Lake Martin. The show was, of course, only accessible by boat.

“It’s a fun show where everyone comes by water,” Alan explains. “They get there at dawn and they’re drinking and partying all day.”

Boats were packed bumper to bumper for more than a mile, and many fans donned their inner tubes and water noodles to paddle close to the water-pit at the bottom of the stage. Jackson pulled up to the dock at Russell Lands’ Kowaliga Marine in his 1923 Hacker Craft and played hit songs from his current platinum album, “Good Time“, as well as favorites like “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere“, “Summertime Blues” and “Pop a Top“. During the show, Jackson spoke movingly about childhood visits to Lake Martin with his family. His encore included a performance of the Hank Williams classic “Kaw-Liga“, which Williams penned at his historic cabin on the lake.

You can catch Alan Jackson in concert on dry land at:

September 2009
17, 18 – Windsor, Ontario – The Colosseum at Caesars
19 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion                              Ticketmaster
20 – Saint Leonard, MD – VFD Pavilion                                                  Ticketmaster
24, 25 – Rama, Ontario – Casino Rama Entertainment Centre
26 – Gilford, NH – Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion

October 2009
1 – Hollywood, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Casino                               Ticketmaster
2 – Mobile, AL – Bayfest
3 – Pelham, AL – Verizon Wireless Center Birmingham                  Ticketmaster
4 – Saint Augustine, FL – Saint Augustine Amphitheatre               Ticketmaster
17 – Maryville, TN – Foothills Fall Festival

November 2009
5 – Baton Rouge, LA – River Center                                                         Ticketmaster
6 – Thackerville, OK – Winstar Casino
7 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
8 – Topeka, KS – Landon Arena                                                                 Ticketmaster
13 – Abbotsford, British Columbia – Entertainment and Sports Centre
14 – Penticton, British Columbia – South Okanagan Events Centre
15 – Kamloops, British Columbia – Interior Savings Centre
16 – Prince George, British Columbia – CN Center
17 – Dawson Creek, British Columbia – EnCana Event Centre
19 – Regina, Saskatchewan -Brandt Centre
20 – Red Deer, Alberta – Enmax Centrium Arena