The Lakeside Life Blog
Smith Lake Alabama | Lewis Smith Lake Alabama
Get your boat ready – it’s almost spring! Groundhog Day 2024 brought news that lake lovers want to hear for the upcoming boating season… early spring! BUT… that also means we only have about 6 more weeks to prepare marine vessels for spring break and beyond. Now is the time, before spring, to put boats in the shop for servicing, maintenance and upgrades. Local shops are overloaded during spring rush and that can sometimes result in serious delays to your boating season. Maintaining and servicing a boat annually protects your investment, and upgrades can substantially help resale value. See a list of suggestions below (in alphabetical order): 1. AFTERMARKET BOAT & TOWER ACCESSORIES - This can be anything from a depth finder to a trailer tail light to board racks for the boat's tower, or even a new tower and so much more. Try these local companies: Duskin Point Marina, MasterPro Audio, Rambo Rambo Marine, Inc., Russell Marine - Smith Lake, and Trident Marina. 2. BOAT DETAILING - unlike basic auto detailing, boats have a gel coat surface over thick heavy fiberglass which is different from metal and plastics used on cars, so different methods, products and materials are needed for repairs, cleaning and refurbishing the finish. Make sure you use a company that is experienced with delicate boat detailing needs. We recommend local companies like Bama Detailing, Duskin Point Marina, MasterPro Audio, Rambo Marine, Inc., Russell Marine - Smith Lake, and Trident Marina. 3. BOAT LIFTS - for a new lift, installation, and good annual servicing to keep your investment safe and sound, get quotes from HydroHoist of Alabama, Free State Boat Docks, MasterPro Audio and Smith Lake Republic. 4. DOCK SERVICE & CONCIERGE - this can be anything from dock servicing, repairs, cleaning, solar installation, dock accessories, marine grade audio/video for outdoor entertaining, etc. Try getting an estimate from local companies who can help like Free State Boat Docks, MasterPro Audio, Smith Lake Republic and Wetsteps of Alabama. 5. FINANCING - looking to buy a NEW BOAT or upgrade to a NEW DOCK? Visit Duskin Point Marina, Rambo Marine, Inc., Russell Marine - Smith Lake and Trident Marina to discuss pricing and consider financing with them locally through banks like Bank of Walker County, Citizens Bank and Trust, Cullman Savings Bank, First National Bank and Listerhill Credit Union. Many homeowners are not aware that they can obtain financing for a new dock. Contact Listerhill Credit Union to get your application underway. 6. INSURANCE - make sure you’re properly covered for the year or re-evaluate your coverage if you've made any changes recently regarding your boat, home or dock. Grant Thomas of Alfa Insurance can help you. (Side Note - Grant's family are long time residents of Smith Lake - check out their company Smith Lake Rentals and Sales for local rental homes and sign up early for rentals as they get booked super fast early each year.) 7. MARINE AUDIO/VIDEO - Upgrade the entire boat's A/V system if it is not performing on its limited stock system, or if the system is older and needing a few upgrades or component additions. Perhaps everything is functioning fine, and the system just needs some tuning, repairs or refurb. Be sure to use professionals who understand the nuances between name brand equipment and how to get the most sound bang for your buck. A company we recommend who has over 35 years experience in high end professional audio is MasterPro Audio with experience not just in marine audio and basic 12V, but also for commercial/home/worship/sports venues, entertainment venues, etc. Ask to hear their demo boat system, on the water from a very far distance - you'll be shocked at what their patented tower speakers and component system are capable of - clean, clear high performance sound ready to energize your day on the lake. 8. MARINE FLOORING - whether it's carpet, engineered marine flooring to upgrade an entire boat, or just pieces of surface material for a back platform, gunwales, or to artfully replace a torn or damaged section, the following local companies can help get your boat looking the best - Duskin Point Marina, MasterPro Audio, Rambo Marine, Inc., Russell Marine - Smith Lake and Trident Marina. 9. MECHANICAL SERVICE for BOATS & TRAILERS - schedule to get your boat serviced, tuned up, de-winterized and ready to take on the season. Local companies we suggest: Duskin Point Marina, Rambo Marine, Inc., Russell Marine - Smith Lake and Trident Marina. 10. TOWING SERVICE - get your annual membership NOW and boat worry free all year. Contact Captain Terry Russeau of TowBoatUS Smith Lake. 11. UPHOLSTERY - repairs or new - contact Bama Detailing or MasterPro Audio. 12. WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT - new equipment or rentals - try local shops like Lakeside Gear, Pine Valley Outdoor Living, Rambo Marine, Inc., Russell Marine - Smith Lake, Trident Marina, and Triple Creek Marina. Once you've got the boat tuned up, spruced up, fully loaded and ready to go, check out our other informational blogs to make sure you are fully prepared for the best boating season every year. Check back on our blog often as we add new material. HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY BOATING SEASON!
For more businesses in the categories you are looking for, try our Business Listing - Alphabetical, and our Business Listing by Category, and check out more information in our LOCAL INFO tab. Latest update to this blog: 6/1/24.
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Now in its 13th year, Hangout Music Fest 2024 is more than a 3-day concert, it's a music lover’s paradise. Hosted on the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama, Hangout serves as the ultimate kickoff to summer, with equal parts high energy party and relaxing tropical vacation, where the top artists of the moment descend upon a stunning setting that boasts seaside beach clubs and in-ground swimming pools at the main stage, plus delicious food, luxury VIP options, and more for their fans to enjoy. Gulf Shores is just a short drive from the Smith Lake area (and very convenient to the Pensacola, FL and Mobile, AL airports) and offers an array of lodging packages that include beach houses, condominiums and hotels, making it the perfect destination for road trippers and group travelers. Hangout has been awarded as Pollstar’s “Music Festival of the Year” and is continuously recognized as one of the best festivals in the US. The festival also adds over $40 million into the local economy each year. Hangout Music Festival is excited to about its 2024 lineup, featuring an eclectic group of artists set to perform on the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama this May 17-19. Headed into its thirteenth edition, Hangout has become a state of mind where life is a party, a happy place with good vibes only, and a beachside daydream where sun-drenched lifelong memories are made. This year’s lineup will showcase a slew of leading names in varying genres from pop and country, to electronic music, rock, alternative, rap, and beyond.
Super VIPs can take in the sights and sounds from their viewing area and elevated deck at the Hangout Main Stage, zip around on golf-cart shuttles between stages, and enjoy complimentary gourmet meals prepared by award winning chefs throughout the weekend. Those looking for unparalleled access paired with utmost convenience should look no further than Hangout House, where views of the festival can be enjoyed from the privacy of your own balcony. Hangout Lodging Packages conveniently bundle festival tickets with local lodging, and are on sale now via On Location; no registration is required to purchase. For 2024, all ticket types can be bundled into 4-packs and paired with shuttle passes or event merchandise for a discount, if added at the time of initial purchase. The Hangout team is also standing by to accommodate large groups looking to build custom vacation or staycation lodging packages for fans near and far. As part of Hangout’s efforts to support the local community, the festival launched its Earn-A-Ticket Program (in partnership with Propeller) last year, encouraging interested festival-goers in the Gulf Shores area to take action online and volunteer their time in exchange for festival tickets and additional prizes. Over 75 volunteers attended Hangout’s Beach Cleanup with the Alabama Coastal Foundation and Fort Morgan Civic Association, collecting a total of 3,860 pounds of trash along four beach locations in the Fort Morgan area. Details for Hangout’s 2024 Earn-A-Ticket Program can be found on their site .
Official Hangout Music Festival 2024 Lineup
Obtain tickets and much more information at the website: www.hangoutmusicfest.com Author: Official Press Release from Hangout Music Festival Updated: 4/1/24 This page sponsored by Lake and Coast Real Estate Co. - if you are looking for Alabama lake or Alabama Gulf Coast property, please contact Lake and Coast at 256-280-3422, at lakeandcoast.com
12/15/2022 0 Comments Boat Show Season 2024A favorite time of year for all those who LAKE is Boat Show Season - occurring at the beginning of every year, usually in January, sometimes into March. For us, it means SPRING is just around the corner. The lake area begins to be in high gear for the next boating season as soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve! It's certainly the case for us. Most of the folks in our area enjoy attending several boat shows each year. Favorite shows are within about a 3 hour driving range. Attending shows allows a fun reason to get out and go visit another city, reconnect with other boating friends aka "your lake people," and getting excited for a new season by checking out the vendors - favorite boat brands, marinas, lake life brands and lake-oriented businesses. Attached is the list of 2024 boat shows you might like to attend - in order by date. All shows are a short drive from the lake area. (we'll try to update this listing each year as soon as we get confirmed info, but also keep the contact information at hand so that you know how to reach out annually for additional information, vendor apps, vendor lists, floorplans/maps and tickets.)
For information on more boat shows further away like the Nashville, Atlanta, and Orlando, FL areas, just Google 'boat show' info for the states you're visiting.
Now, just grab your favorite lake folks, pack up the car and head out to the boat shows of your choice. ENJOY! 12/1/2022 0 Comments Things to Do at Smith LakeAccess: First of all you have to get here. Traveling to the lake is quick and easy:
Once you have an address of where you want to go, everything is accessible via GPS, but keep in mind that most of the lake is still very rural, so traveling around can be tricky. There are still some dirt/gravel roads in the area, as well as some hard pack roads. If you're veering off main highways and don't have a 4-wheel-drive, just be mindful of road conditions in inclement weather. Activities: there are so many activities to enjoy on Smith Lake. We'll list a few of our favorites below.
Also, check out the bottom of our blog on Lewis Smith Dam and Powerhouse for information about visiting the Alabama Power Company Powerhouse. If you would like more information about our area, we encourage you to check with the local Chamber of Commerce for each city/county you plan to visit and/or the tourism boards in those areas. In true southern style and hospitality, they will all graciously provide even more detailed and factual information about their specific areas.
We have gathered these facts from numerous sources for the benefit of our community, so please feel free to offer any edits. Call/text us at 256-708-7679 or email us at [email protected] 6/1/2022 0 Comments RECIPE - Huli Huli ChickenBelow find the article photo from the magazine for one of our favorite lakeside dishes, Huli Huli Chicken. Just message us if you need a copy of the .pdf recipe card for this dish or any that we've printed in the magazine.
5/1/2020 2 Comments Boat Equipment Check List
We hope the checklist above helps you get ahead and geared up for a great boating season. A little work on the front end of the season saves endless needless headaches, stress or worst yet, unnecessary and unwanted citations. Again, we stress this emphatically, be sure to follow all instructions from the ALEA website first and foremost, and use our suggestions only as additional advice. Here’s the link again: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency – Alabama Marine Patrol Division: https://www.alea.gov/dps/marine-patrol.
Other Links that you should check:
Be sure to check our other lists on our blog and through our magazine - samples below. (these will soon be linked for ease of navigation...)
Contact, message, or comment if you'd like us to add anything specific to the list or if we need to revise or repair a broken link. We'll be updating the list annually. Thank you! Updated: 05/01/2023 |
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June 2024
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The Lakeside Life
767 County Road 437 Cullman, AL 35055 [email protected] www.thelakesidelife.com (256) 708-7679 Main (205) 470-8250 Marketing Pinterest: @thelakesidelife Instagram: @thelakesidelife_smithlake Facebook: @thelakesidelife Facebook Group: Smith Lake Community Also check out our stores: The Lakeside Life Store Lakeside Gear MasterPro Audio Amazon Store |
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