The Alexander City Outlook

AquaPalooza attracts 35,000

Newly released figures from Russell Lands estimated around 35,000 people and more than 4,000 boats attended AquaPalooza last weekend.

Dave Commander, vice president of marketing at Russell Lands, said the final numbers came from estimates from their security department, the marine police and aerial photos taken throughout the day. This year’s AquaPalooza Signature Event, an on-water concert sponsored by Sea Ray Boats and Russell Lands, attracted 50 percent more people than last year’s.

“There’s no way we can get the exact number, especially on the attendance,” Commander said. “(Sea Ray’s) saying this is by far the biggest event they’ve ever had.”

Commander credited the musical acts and the weather with the increase in attendance.

“I think a lot of it had to do with the talent that we had,” Commander said. “Alan Jackson is one reason; the other is the weather was fantastic. We also had a way for (people) to moor their boats the night before, but the biggest thing was Alan Jackson.”

While the head count is finalized, Russell Lands is still waiting to find out the extent of AquaPalooza’s economic impact around the lake.

Roger Holliday, vice president of strategic planning and development at Russell Lands, said they have to wait until the end of the month to see tax revenues from the city before they make an estimate.

“The city collects a lodging tax, and of course we can get the city sales tax, which would capture everything,” Holliday said.