Mike Jackson is one of those guys who likes to hang out with friends.

In 2006, he thought about getting all his friends together for a party at Elk River. Roughly 75 boats showed up. On Saturday, July 2, Jackson is expecting approximately 4,000 people, and 330 boats tied up around his pier.

That’s when 10th annual Elk River Boat Party will kick off the Independence Day weekend with an afternoon of fun and an evening of music and friendship.

“It’s amazing,” Jackson told The News Courier about the explosive growth of the party. “It’s getting bigger and better every year.”

Huntsville-based band Kozmic Mama will headline the party. As boats trickle in to Anderson Creek that afternoon, the group will begin to play on the top deck of Jackson’s pier around 3 p.m. and not stop until 8. During the show, the party guests can swim, relax in inner tubes, ride jet skis or hang loose in their own boats as the sun sets.

Jackson said he loves hosting the parties because it brings experienced and rookie boaters alike in any kind of craft from a speedboat to a houseboat out to enjoy the day together with families from across northern Alabama and southern Tennessee.

“It’s something to do to put people in the water,” he said. “They all just get out there and tie up.”

In honor of the party’s 10th anniversary, Jackson, his girlfriend Bridgette, and the 24 corporate sponsors raffled off a Yeti-brand cooler and will give the proceeds to Rogersville Volunteer Fire Department on Monday.

Since the Elk River divides Lauderdale and Limestone counties, the fundraising will most likely become a tradition at future parties where the proceeds benefit organizations in both counties. It’s because of folks like the Rogersville VFD, Athens-Limestone Rescue Squad, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol and other volunteers that partygoers can enjoy a safe place to play, Jackson said.

“They’re really good, supportive people,” he added.

The party starts around 3 p.m. The easiest way to get there, Jackson said, is to put in at the boat ramp off Lee-Hi Bridge off U.S. 72, head north on the Elk River about a quarter of a mile and make a right into Anderson Creek. The party will be located on the second pier on the right.

For more information, visit the 10th annual Elk River Boat Party Facebook page.