There are Independence Day celebrations and then there is Kingsland’s AquaBoom, a mega-fete that goes on for days and features more than 20 events.
AquaBoom evolved from a community fireworks display held in 1969, a few months after the completed RM 2900 bridge over the Llano River made the lakeside community more accessible to both sides of Lake LBJ.
In 1970, that small celebration morphed into AquaBoom, one-upping the previous event with a boat parade and an upgraded fireworks display. Crowds responded, and now AquaBoom draws more than 25,000 people to the town of about 7,000.
At this quintessential small-town festival, you can buy or display arts and crafts, watch three different parades, trip the light fantastic at a community street dance, and be involved in contests that range from rubber duck races to horseshoe tournaments. In other words, AquaBoom is about as something-for-everyone as it gets. Activities begin in June and run through July 8, and most are free. Here’s a sampling:
Saturday, July 1
AquaBoom Annual Golf Tournament
9 a.m.
Legends Golf Course, 105 Rangeway Circle
Bring your A-game or just come to cheer on your favorite golfer.
Sunday, July 2
AquaBoom 18th annual Washer Toss Tournament
Noon
Wakepoint LBJ, 14757 RM 1431
Discover washer-tossing as a spectator sport on the shores of Lake LBJ.
AquaBoom 2nd annual Cornhole Tournament
3 p.m.
Wakepoint LBJ, 14757 RR 1431 in Kingsland
Watch the competition, enjoy the lakeside setting.
Monday, July 3
AquaBoom annual Street Dance
8-11:30 p.m.
First United Bank, 300 RM 2900
Prepare your footwear for 210 minutes of boot scootin’.
Tuesday, July 4
AquaBoom Annual Arts/Crafts Show
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
1136 RR 1431, next to Kingsland Community Church
Browse locally made handicrafts and pick out a gift or two.
AquaBoom Grand Parade
10 a.m.
Central Kingsland
Always a crowd-pleaser. Come early to get a good view.
AquaBoom Boat Parade
6 p.m.
RM 2900 Bridge
Watercraft and their skippers get their own parade and big crowds.
AquaBoom Fireworks Show
Shortly after dark
RM 2900 Bridge
AquaBoom closes out Independence Day in grand style with this pyrotechnic spectacular. Tune in to KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune for a live broadcast.
For a full list of AquaBoom events, visit kingslandaquaboom.org.
