Hundreds of visitors filled the streets of Kingsland and the shores and waterways of Lake LBJ for the 39th Annual Aqua Boom.

When organizers for the Kingsland/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce set their theme Celebrate ’09 – Come Home to Kingsland it was with the idea of reviving old favorites of the Independence Day celebration.

“Revival” would be putting it mildly, and not just because the whole event was flooded out last year and staged on Memorial Day.

“We had 65 entries in the land parade this year, more than we can ever remember, and just look what a turnout our volunteers have gotten,” said Lynda Shroyer, chamber president as she looked out on Fourth of July visitors crowded on thegrass at Sydney Rowe Memorial Park.

Walkers who were packed along the RR 2900 bridge and boat traffic that spilled bobbing red and green lights from the Llano River arm of the lake well in to Burnet County.

The crowds on those venues as well as family and friends gatherings at homes and lodges all along the river and motorists crowded along Lookout Mountain were treated to two private fireworks displays almost as large as the Aqua Boom finale. Another private display on the Colorado River arm of the lake drew a second night of pyrotechnic enthusiasts Saturday night.

“We had stopped coming to Aqua Boom when the ski show stopped, but we came back and I think that’s one reason so many other people did,” said Doris Mattingly Saturday night. “The Personal Water Craft and the Wacky Raft Race were so much fun to watch.”

“Our Aqua Boom Chair Gay Gambert and the heads of our committees outdid themselves,” said Shroyer.

The Poker Run, in which boaters ferry from genial waterfront host to host, “drawing” their cards, had a record turnout – 192 entries. At $25 a hand, it combines with the SeaDoo Raffle at $5 a ticket to make Aqua Boom the year’s chief fund raiser for the chamber.

The inveterate chair of the Poker Run, Chuck Lacallade, displaying an Ace of Spaces and the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of Clubs, reported another first.

“The winners of the high hand had a straight flush with a wheel,” he said. “They won half of the low hand, too.”

The Rubber Duckie race handed out $600 in cash prizes this year.

Winners of the Poker Run were Kimberly Keller of Georgetown and Debbie Foster of San Antonio, newcomers to the event. Jason Hart of Spring claimed the other half of the low hand take.

Bob Bales of Kingsland was the lucky winner of the SeaDoo drawing.

Rubber Duckie winners were Denise Ivey, 1st; Maxine Holland, 2nd, and Kevin Kerekes, 3rd.

Other winners of contests and events at Aqua Boom are listed first, second and third:

Wacky Raft Race Wackiest Contest – Cooler Than You, Tahiti Sweeties and Bullets.

Wacky Raft Race Fastest Contest - Cooler Than You, Tahiti Sweeties and U. S. S. Wilson.

Personal Watercraft Obstacle Course – Mike Nelson, Sean Metcalf and Amy Adair.

Boat Parade – Naked Ladies, Top Hats and Bandanas.

Land Parade – Non-Profit – Burnet VFW #6974 Ladies Auxiliary, Lampasas Spring Ho Float and Blanco County Fair and Rodeo Float.

Land Parade – Animals – Kelly Haydon and The 4 Mustangs, Emily Norrid driving Minature Horse Cart and 5 Horses and Jennifer Ortiz with 3 Horses and Riders.

Land Parade – Commercial – Kandi and Paul Simmons’ Patriot-Decorated Mule Vehicle, Nancy Godfrey’s Reflections Float and Roger and Melissa Cummings of Texas Hills RV Haven.

Land Parade – Corporate – Kingsland’s American Bank of Texas, Kingsland’s Security State Bank and Pat Heinecke of Farm House Restaurant in Granite Shoals.

Land Parade – Antique Cars – Rick Mann, 1912 Ford Model T Speedster; Gary and Sharon Spencer, 1931 Ford Model A, and Stan Emmons,

Children’s Parade – Overall – Ages 1-6 – Robert Tuttle; Luke Christian and Mia Wheeler, and Macy and Marshall Ernest.

Children’s Parade – Overall – Ages 7 and Up – Casey and Dustin Leavitt, Tristan Delams and Madison Visinsky.

Children’s Parade – Bikes and Trikes – Ages 1-6 – Caleb and Joshua Raddatz, Zowie McReynolds and Arron Parker.

Children’s Parade – Bikes and Trikes – Ages 7 and Up – Ashley Pichel, Cassidy Reitan and Jayden Mopolize.

Children’s Parade – Walkers – Ages 1-6 – Kieran McKenna Christsison, Alexis Swearingen and Harper Visinsky.

Children’s Parade – Motorized – Ages 1-6 – Unavailable, Ryli Howard and Wesli Howard and Jordan and Joshua Emerson.

Children’s Parade – Motorized – Ages 7 and up – Mason Cross, Nick Frambs and Noel and Addi Parker.

Children’s Parade – Wagons, Scooters and Roller Blades – Ages 1-6 – Delaney Kyle Leclyuse and Anna Thorson.

Children’s Parade – Wagons, Scooters and Roller Blades – Ages 7 and Up – John Lee Shannon.