Those looking for a good time after the Fourth of July can head over to annual Elk River Boat Party for some floating and fun.

The free event, hosted by Mike and Bridgett Jackson, will be held 3 p.m. until dark Saturday, July 6. The party starts near the mouth of the Elk River and Anderson Creek.

Now in its 13th year, the boat party continues to grow. Around 300 to 350 boats attended last year, according to estimates by the Jacksons. The couple tries to count boats each year.

“Of course, each year that number goes up with attendance,” Bridgett Jackson said.

How it started

The idea originated 13 years ago when Mike Jackson and his kids decided to invite Huntsville-based band Kozmic Mama to play on the water near their home, which the Jacksons call General Jackson.

He had recently built a new boathouse with an upper deck 30 feet off the water and thought it was the ideal place for the band to play. He also wanted to do something for the community, so he and his kids came up with the idea of a boat party.

When the band let loose, more than 90 boaters had showed up for the event.

Since that time, the party has become a tradition that includes hundreds of boats that raft together on the river.

Getting Kozmic

Still a fixture at every party is Kozmic Mama, a band that describes itself as “steeped in the rootsy tradition of rock, soul, Motown and blues.” They will once again perform a variety of covers and originals at this year’s Elk River Boat Party.

“‘Mama’ (Carla Russell) continues to sing and travel with her music and has been a repeated request by our boaters over the years,” Bridgett Jackson said. “She is amazing, and the public seems to really enjoy her traditional style.”

Jackson said ‘Mama’ is a crowd pleaser and “loves being on the river with the river crowd.”

During intermission, the Jacksons will pass out free drink cozies as an effort to thank everyone for coming.

“The cozies list the sponsors for the event, and we are so thankful they continue to make this happen for the community each and every year,” Jackson said. “Having so many sponsors really shows us that they care about the community and are really behind this event.”

Jackson said kids can go water skiing and ski boarding. The event is a family-oriented boat party.

“Many of the people that attend this event plan their July 4th holiday around it and stay on the water all weekend,” Jackson said. “It’s simply amazing to see. They starting lining up their boats close to lunchtime, and it is just really a fun time for everyone.”

Getting there

The party is for boats only.

To get to the party from the Tennessee River, go north on the Elk River and under Lee Hi Bridge (U.S. 72 bridge). Turn left into Anderson Creek, and the party is on the right. The nearest boat launch is the Lee Hi Bridge boat launch.

Athens-Limestone Rescue Squad will be on-site. The Alabama Marine Police will patrol near the party in case of any medical emergencies or boating malfunctions. They also serve as litter patrol, so don’t put trash in the water.

“Get yourself to the celebration, even if you have to hitch a ride,” Jackson said.

Sponsors

Sponsors of the 13th annual Elk River Boat Party are as follows:

• Mike Jackson, Mike Jackson Homebuilders

• Jimmy and Gayle Biggs, Southern Charm

• Randal Perkins, Cajun’s Seafood

• Steve and Theresa Gatlin

• JJ Brindley, Brindley Construction

• Wade Boggs, Butler Realty

• Sherry McCafferty, SOS Insurance

• Tiffany Pack, Dream Key Realty

• Phil and Connie Carpenter, Giles County Furniture

• Travis and Kelley Lewter, Advanced Electrical

• Halston Carter, Grayson Carter & Sons

• Classic Signs

• Chuck Moore, Twice the Ice

• John Totten, PC, Attorney at Law

• Jamey Wagner, Growing Younger Clinic

• Greg Lunn, New South Concrete

• Eddie Thomas, Thomas Welding

• Mike Underwood, Trigreen Equipment

• Wes McCurry, McCurry Van and Car Rental

• Allen Johnson, Allen Johnson Farms

• Rogersville Hardware