July the fourth and fifth will be crowded with the events of the 39th Annual Aqua Boom, the Independence Day festival of the Kingsland/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce.

The celebration is much more than its crowning glory of fireworks viewed from far and wide on the Colorado and Llano rivers because it has a long tradition of giving visitors a chance to become involved on land and on the water.

Celebrate ‘08 – Come Home to Kingsland is the theme because so many participants travel to take part and because so many old favorite features have been returned to the line-up.

The Children’s Parade (all kids welcome) and the Aqua Boom Land Parade at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. July 4 begin the fun, both organizing and heading out from Packsaddle Elementary School.

Before fireworks light up the sky in the evening, enterprising boat owners who want to join in the show, assemble at the Kingsland Community Park at 6:30 p.m. to fall in to the Boat Parade that will arrive at the 2900 bridge about 7 p.m.

Beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing in order, are events designed to be great fun for participants and spectators alike waiting at the bridge.

They include the Personal Water Craft Obstacle Course, the Rubber Duckie Race, the Wacky Raft Race (devise anything that’s not a boat or inflatable raft and paddle), and the Water Ski Show.

If it’s music you associate with Aqua Boom, you will hear Larry Salinas and his band at the bridge. His combination of blues, country and Spanish music is a favorite in the Hill Country. Music will go on until 11:30 p.m.

On July 5 music begins at 2 p.m. at the Franklin Bank parking area in Highland Plaza. Southern Comfort a Lampasas-based band with a country bent will be performing.

The annual Street Dance will be held at American Bank this year with The Express Band, led by Marble Falls’ Dale Seabaugh, playing. No matter what kind of dancing gets you moving, The Express Band is a dance band delivers. The popular group will be turning out favorites from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s in country and rock.

As always, Kingsland First Baptist Church will be the place to enjoy a Patriotic Concert at 6:30 p.m. July 5. The full chorus event follows the Kingsland Volunteer Fire Department Benefit Fish Fry 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- $6 a plate.

Afternoon diners will be serenaded by Phil Raye and his bluegrass Band from Buda.

There is still more than music to keep you moving at Aqua Boom.

The authentic western community of the Brazos Bottom Cow’ographers will be set up by noon July 4 and 11 a.m. July 5 at Packsaddle Elementary School.

A Kingsland House of Arts & Crafts Fair will be under way, beginning at 10 a.m. each day and the local center for creativity will the Children’s Events location, July 4, 2p.m. to 4 p.m., and July 5, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Annual Poker Run – a flotilla for card sharks – will begin at Kingsland Community Park anytime players can get going after 8:30 a.m. July 5.

Horseshoes and Washer Tossing will be going on at the park beginning at 10 a.m.

At the same time, at Hank Nilsen Model Aircraft Field, an exhibition of model aircraft flying will be getting underway. A chance to visit with the pilots and view their motorized models up close will continue until 2 p.m. July 5.

Golfers are the one group getting physical about Aqua Boom into Sunday, July 6.

The two day, cash-prize, partner tournament tees off at Packsaddle Country Club at 1 p.m. Saturday. Relaxation and music and dinner for the players meeting at the clubhouse is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tee off July 6 will be will be at 10 a.m.

Players will not only compete for cash. A hole-in-one contest offers the chance to take home a new E-Z-Go golf cart from the Kingsland Depot.

For information about registration for the Aqua Boom Golf Tournament, call the Packsaddle Country Club Pro Shop at (325) 388-3863.

Information about any Aqua Boom event is available from the Kingsland/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce at 2743 RR 1431, (325) 388-6211.

Registration forms for parades and competition events are available there and, with extended hours at Kingsland Health and Fitness Center, 2132 RR 1431.