Articles

July 3, 2008

Are You Ready for the 4th of July! We are!

970-4400

Everything is in its place, the lake is perfect and no rain in sight! We have the most booths that we have ever had, with some folks coming from out-of-state to serve you, and the patriotic parade is all decked out in red-white-and-blue!

You thoughtfulness is requested at the parade staging area at St. Mary's, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. They have Mass from 9:00-9:30 am so talk gently, please.

All floats are to enter the staging area from Dawn and Deer Run, where the big Christmas tree once grew. Decorated floats will be permitted to proceed to the staging area after they receive their parking number. Other vehicles will be directed to the far side of the church to park. Classic and antique cars will park in the Rolling Hills Community Church's Fellowship Hall parking lot.

Come to the parade dressed in the fashion of the day: the official 4th of July T-shirts are now on sale at the Shippin' Post. T-shirts sell for $8 for children sizes and $12 for adult sizes - a great reduction from other years. Those persons participating in the parade: extra points will be given to floats that have participants wearing the official T-shirt.

The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. and promises to be exciting: our very own marching band and a large number of decorated floats. Just look at those Plungettes! And that Dumpster Diver! Some 55 antique and classic cars are registered (check them out at the Bar K Park after the parade.) Curious as to where you are to park in the staging area? Wonder if your float will be in the beginning of the parade or if you are following the horses? The list is on the web! Also on the web is the map showing the parking place for each float. Check it out at LagoVistaJuly4.org.

Park your car and take the air conditioned bus. Four buses start at 11:00 a.m. and four more come nearer supper time. The last bus leaves Bar K Park at 11:15 p.m. Parking around the Bar K area is limited and you are not able to leave the soccer-field-area of the park after the fireworks' truck arrives on the scene.

Assignments for booth locations are also on the web.

Three raffles or drawings are anticipated at the Bar K: A quilt serves as a fund raiser for the Hill Country Singers, a unique car for the sports-minded person, by for the local chamber of commerce and check out the drawing for tickets to the Express Baseball games. Another drawing will be held at the Mary Kay booth. And, you may even register to vote during the festivities and to shake the hand of a judge, sheriff or constable.

Tempting auction items include dining at the Melting Pot Restaurant in Cedar Park, Thundering Stunt Kite, 18x24' framed canvas portrait Session, 90 minute massage, European Facial or manicure, 3-day Penick Academy from Golfsmith International, pre-school tuition, an airhead jet tow float and another 120 items listed on the web.
Charge cards are acceptable at the four auctions on the 4th!It's just another service of the 4th of July Council.

Family games are highlighted this year, under the sponsorship of the local Rotarians. Look out! There's a pie-eating contest, or is it a pie throwing contest? Lots of Oreo cookies for the cookie eating contest and dozens of eggs for tossing. An annual favorite is the Cow Chip contest and new this year, is the rope tugging contest.

Music, music, music and mostly all imported from outside the area. Two stages filled with jazz, blues, country and many surprises. Check out the star's musical links on the web site!

Contests include a tattoo contest with the semi-finals from Jonestown, Dancing Under the Starts with every type of dance you might imagine, and an auction with 124 items valued over $11,000. The semi-finals and, alas, the finals for the American Idyle - Lago Vista Style is in the afternoon.

Fireworks are set for dark 30 with the Super, Super, Super S finale!

June 11, 2008

Music, Auction and Miss LV, Tatoos
Ann Murrow 970-4400

What a weekend for the Lago Vista 4th of July Council! Bands for two stages confirmed, 75 auction items accumulated, Miss Lago Vista crowned and seven semi-finalists in the tattoo contested anointed.

Miss Morgan Smith was crowned Miss Lago Vista 2008 at a delightful production masterminded by Vanessa McKee. The event, held in the high tech Fellowship Hall of Rolling Hills Community Church saw Laura Febbo selected as first runner up with Kristen Meyer 2nd runner-up. Contestants, dressed in casual outfits were asked a series of well-thought-out questions, and two more questions were asked, during the second act, when they were dressed in formals. A surprise appearance of the rock band, "I Don't Know" captured the attention of the crowd. Flower arrangements for all contestants were donated by Facet Flowers! Judges were Sandra Boatwritght, Robert Wallace and Sally Rochte.

When asked to head the auction committee, Stan Miller and Dave Machart, co-chair, were asked to secure items for the July 4th auction. They were doing fabulously; along came Wilber and Linda Nichols, the total jumped to 75 and counting!

You really missed it! Members of the Council had a night they will never forget when they attended the tattoo contest at Larry's Lonestar Bar in Jonestown. Wearing signs that said Judge, although no sign was obviously necessary, the Council gang had a riotous time picking the semi-finalists, as there were scores of choices on Friday night. The semi-finalists are: Stan Cline, Rain Murphey, Mike 'Joker" Currier, , Michael " Bandito" Santos,Jackie "Brat" Roberts and two unnamed contestants. 4th of July Council judges were Cheryl Sullivan, Anna Johndrow, Dave Machart, Stan Miller and Ann Murrow. Come help chose the winner on the 4th of July! The winner will be chosen by crowd applause.

Latest auction items: a 2-night stay, $356, in Suite (family of 6) at the Aloha Suites of Lake Travis; "Airhead Jet" tow float, $150, Dependable Docks, LLC; Gift certificate, $0, Facet Flower Shop; (8) exercise class certificates @$5 each, Fischer Fitness; (2) Gift Card @ $25 each, J&J BBQ; (50) "Buyer One Get One " Coupons @$4 each, Jamba Juice; Pakmail Store Gift Certificate, Pakmail of Cedar Park.

Music is a major ingredient in this year's 4th of July festivities. Our budget multiplied eight times from other years and includes two man-managed sound systems. Two stages, packed full of musicians, contests and even a live auction, with our resident professional auctioneer, Larry Waddle. The Lakeside Stage, centered at the side of the soccer field features bands from around Central Texas: Thin Blue Line, 7 Seals & Wingless Angel (reggae); Smitty City (blues and rock); Juls & Crome Wheeles (hard rock and blues); Robert Len Smith Band (folk and jam); Flounders Without Eyes (jam); and George Kinney (blues, rock, country). Renee LaRue and Jon Ramsey filled the slate with bands, while Aaron Seymour collects gear for sound systems on both stages.

Do go on-line and listen to the sounds of these featured musicians and their bands: LagoVistaJuly4.org Look under music and click on the links one by one.

Sarah Green kicks off the Poolside Stage features, singing the theme song of this year's 4th of July celebraton, It's a Grand Old Flag. Soul Objective sets the tone of the afternoon, followed by the Travis Brown Band. American Idyle-Lago Vista Style holds its semi-finals mid-afternoon, followed by The Strollers who entertain the younger set so well. The final competition of the American Idyl is slated for 5:00 p.m. with the contestants in the Dancing Under the Stars claiming the stage with all kinds of dance styles. One contestant is driving in from Burnet. The Charlie Hurtin & the Hecklers Band entertains just before the beginning of the live auction which starts at 8:00 p.m.. Their set lasts until the beginning of the fireworks show.

BAMS Roadside Grill held the first go-round on this year's American Idyl contest with congratulations going to Jerry Smith and Larry Dean. Judges Bill, Cowan, Mike Slaughter and Sherri Campbell The judges (Bill Cowan, Mike Slaughter and Sherri Campbell ) were "challenged by voices that ranged from youthful to seasoned; song selection that ranged from country to rock to pop to classics; while trying to determine who would move on to the July 4th final competition. After two preliminary rounds the judges narrowed the field of ten singers to just five to compete in the final round of the night" reports Karioke professional Jim Zruckey.

"In an extremely tight battle, after three rounds of singing, the judges calculated the scores (possible 150 points) to find that two singers were tied and a third was only ½ point out. The judges decided to send both Jerry Smith and Larry Dean to the July 4th festivities."

The second round of American Idyl-Lago Vista contests is set for Friday, the 13th of June at the Deli Werks, 8:30-11:30 p.m.

Questions: see LagoVistaJuly4.org or call 970-4400.

June 4, 2008

Ladies, Tattoos, Gifts and Idyls
Ann Murrow
970-4400

Miss Lago Vista 2008 will be crowned Saturday, the 7th of June, thanks to the Rolling Hills Community Church's invitation to hold the pageant in their Fellowship Hall on Lohman Ford Road. Come at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy seeing how versatile the Lago Vista young ladies are. This event is a means for the community to highlight these young women, remarked Venessa McKee, coordinator of the evening's activities.. The Miss Lago contest gives an opportunity for residents to applaud poise as well as accomplishments achieved by the ladies. These lovely contestants will cross the stage on the arm of their handsome escort. Mrs. McKee is twenty-something and extremely enthusiastic about Lago Vista's next generation. She has experience in drill team, modern dance, gymnastics, art, literature, various community service projects, and is an added plus to the Lago Vista 4th of July Council.

Jerry Smith and Larry Dean were selected last weekend during the first act of the American Idyl - Lago Vista Style event. They were selected at BAM's Roadhouse Grill and will compete under the direction of Tina Barkkari, Kareoki extraordinaire, at the semi-finals at 4:00 p.m. on the 4th of July at the Bar K Park. Finals are at 7:00 p.m. Join in the fun at the second run-off to be held at the Deli Werks on Friday, June 13th.

Listen up! Don't forget the Tattoo Contest at Larry's Lonestar Bar in Jonestown! It is slated for this Friday, June 6th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Do you have a tattoo and are over 21? Contest open to both men and women. Is your tattoo plain black or a multitude of colors? The winner is to be soon sportin' a new tattoo: the American Flag as their prize. Come on over! No tattoo? Come be a cheerleader and egg your favorite contestant on to victory!

Dancing with the stars comes to Lago Vista! Well, not really…more like Dancing Under the Stars…the first annual dance contest to be held during the Fourth of July celebration will give contestants interested in shaking their booty and dancing off with the booty a chance to strut their stuff. The Lago Vista 4th of July Council has announced an exciting dance contest that will have eager contestants dancing under the stars at the Bar K Pool on the night of July 4 between 7 and 8 pm. There are many different categories and there will be ONE grand prize winner; could be a solo dancer, a couple or even a group. The grand prize will be CASH (amount yet to be decided). Be sure you dust off your dancing shoes and get your music ready…details can be found on the July 4 website; lagovistajuly4.org.

Auction items have become a fantastic new feature of the 4th of July Event in Lago Vista this year, thanks to the generosity of the business community and enthusiasm of the auction community of the Lago Vista 4th of July Council: Stan Miller, chair, Dave Machart and Wilbur and Linda Nelson. The goal was one-hundred items! And, they did it! Newly added items include: 3 Subway Meal-Deals: $20 (Subway); $25 Gift Certificate (The Pier on Lake Travis); 2-$20 Gift Certificates: $40(Dee Dee's Tacos & More); and $20 Gift Certificate (Deli Werks),2-90-minute Massages $90 each (Austin Massage Angel; 18x24 Framed Canvas Portrait (on location) Session $500 (Bruce Covill Photography; Certificate for any haircut service $35 (Cut & Style); Clean & Screen existing gutters (100' or less) $630 (Gutter Pros 4U; Free Leaf Screens with an equal gutter purchase $500 max (Gutter Pros 4U); Men's Go; Residential Pest Control Treatment $80 (Lago Vista Pest Control); 1 Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner $15 (Mocha-Latte & Ice Cream); 2-two hour Boat Rentals at $160 each $320 (North Shore Boat Rentals; $100 Honeywell Non-Programmable Digital Thermostat (Pardners Htg. & Air Conditioning); AC Check (2008) $80 (Pardners Htg. & Hair Conditioning); $25 Gift Card (Spicy Pickle); $25 Gift Card (Willyos).

Lace up you shoes! Yes! The Firecracker 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run is set for the 4th of July, under the guidance of runners Karen Wallace and Bryan Jacobs. Gigantic changes expected this year, all of which runners will gladly embrace. Save a place in your closet for the newest 5K T-shirt! Start your July 4th off with a bang! The Fun Run begins at 7:30 a.m. with a 5K Race beginning at 8:00 a.m. for walkers and runners of all ages!
Get your family and friends together to be part of the firecracker fun or serious competition if you choose! Top runners will receive medals and all children who participate in the fun run will get a ribbon! Just visit lagovistajuly4.com or runtex.com for more details and registration information.

Non-profit organizations that have protected foods that only they may sell at the holiday celebration, have passed their deadline to claim these items. Other vendors may check the list on the web to see which items, if any are now available.

The web site, LagoVistaJuly4.org has a wealth of information. Check it out: register for games, sports, 5 K, booths, parade floats and view the day's schedule and see who the bands will be at the event. Some bands even have web links so that may listen to them?

Join the fun of planning for this, the biggest event, in Lago Vista: Thursday, the 5th of June at 19720 Boggy Ford, across from the storage units.

Questions? Rumor control is 970-4400.

MAY 28, 2008

Miss Lago Vista on Parade
Ann Murrow 970-4400

Eight lucky young ladies will parade down the runway on the arms of Lago Vista's handsomest young men on Saturday, June 7th. Venessa Mckee (497-7227) chairs this committee for the Lago Vista 4th of July Council and has a pocketful of clever ideas for the pageant. Rolling Hill Community Church has graciously opened its well-appointed Fellowship Hall for this coveted event. The Queen will receive a Tierra, sash, $100 savings bond and be introduced during the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at K Oaks in December.

Register on-line at LagoVistaJuly4.org for the Miss Lago Vista Pageant as well as all the other activities, such as the parade, booths, dance contest, tattoo contest, family games and contests, cow chip tournament, Little Miss/Mr Lago Vista contest, sports, motorcycles and classic cars, tennis tournament and Firecracker 5K Run. Check out the growing list of Live and Silent Auction gifts for you to bid for and the weekly updated schedule of events and list of contact people for each segment of the day-long holiday. Bev Machart is our whizard on the web!

American Idyl-Lago Vista Style contest begins this Saturday at BAMS Roadhouse Grill from 7:00-11:00 P.M. Judges are Bill Cowan (2007 winner), Mike Slaughter,
Sherri Campbell. The two finalists will compete with the winners of the contests held at Remington's and the Deli-Werks in June. Semi-finals/finals are slated for the Bar K Park on July 4th, under the direction of Tina Barkkari. The winner is to receive a three-hour recording session at the Jumping Dog Studios.

Participants in the Little Miss/Mr. Lago Vista contest, (kiddos eight and under) will be in the parade, thanks to the ingenuity of Judy Geddes. Start practicing your music, reading or dance, add an appropriate costume, and enter this much-loved part of the holiday event. Miss Judy will contact parents, to make arrangements for the parade and contest.

Newest auction items: $40 Thundering Stunt Kite and 2-$20 kites (A+ Propane/Performance); $267 imported cutting board (Antigua imports, Ltd.); 4-$10 "Enjoy a Meal on Us"(Bush's Chicken); $140 Lifetime Computerized Alignment Certificate (Cedar Park Tire & Service); $100 off any Lawn Care (D & L Landscaping); $125 Portrait Session and an 8x10 (D. Marie Photography); 2-$10 Gift Certificates (Dee Dee's Tacos & More); Sonicare Tooth Brush ( Lago Dental Center); 2-dozen donuts (Lago Donuts); "Dry Pack" waterproof case for M3 Players& Cell phones (Lago Vista Marine); $20 gift certificate (Sun Hardware). Linda Nichols, Stan Miller and chair, Dave Machart magically bring in items!

The 2008 Unsung Hero will soon be chosen next week. He, she or they will be honored on the 4th of July with their very own float, a float decorated by the winningest float designer around: Wanda Johnson. Submit your special person or couple to Wanda at 267-5155.

Sign up at Domino's Pizza or on the web for the sports' teams you want to participate in on 4th. Each team will pick its own name, representative of themselves.

Questions? Call 970-4400

MAY 22, 2008

Pick your Auction Items and Bands

A new activity this year at the 4th of July Event in Lago Vista is the Live and Silent Auction with Auctioneer Larry Waddle. Co-chairs are Stan Miller, Dave Machart and Linda Nichols. They are go-getters, look at this growing list: Austin Cleaners (4 $10 Lakeside Bucks Gift Certificates); Austin Ear, Nose and Throat ($450 Hearing Test & Hearing Aid Fitting); Austin Health Imaging ($25 Starbucks Gift Card); Bam's Road House Grill ($10 Gift Certificate); Bateman's Gifts and Coffee (2 $25 Certificates for any Gift or Food Item); Cedar Park Jewelry ($100 Gift Certificate for any item or Service in store); Clarity Skin Care Solutions ($30 Clarity Skin Care Solutions); Clarity Skin Care Solutions ($55 European Facial); Curves ($200 for 1st Month Membership); Gator Transmission ($35 Engine Oil/Filter Change - no foreign or diesel 6 qt max.); Hair After Salon (4 $20 Women's Haircuts with Blow Dry); Hair After Salon (2 Manicures $15 each); Hair After Salon (2 Bald Men's Haircuts at $10 each); Hair After Salon (2 Pedicures at $30 each); Harlan Fischer (Chef Master BBQ Tool 8 Piece Set); Lago Vista Coffee Co. ($20 cute Plaque and a $15 1-pound Special Coffee and 2 Logo Coffee Mugs); North Shore - Lake Travis Rotary Club (American Flag and Telescoping Pole); Mary Kay Cosmetics ($50 Cosmetic Gift Certificate); Massage from the Hart ($60 one-hour Massage); Medicine Hand ($90 1.5 hr Massage); Movie Gallery (6 Movie Rental Certificate); North Shore Computers (2 $50 Computer Diagnostics); Papa Murphy's (4 single topping Pizzas $10 each); Point Venture Golf Course (2 rounds of Golf with Cart $15 each);Rising Sun Acupuncture (one $70 Acupuncture Session); Round Rock Express (4 Porch Tickets Sun-Thur); The Shipping Post (3 $20 Gift Certificates); True Grits ($50 Certificate for any item in Restaurant); TT Nail and Spa (one $25 Pedicure).

The early-bird vendors who have registered are: Rolling Hills Community Church (Sno-cones and cotton candy) and the Northshore Republicans who will be introducing their 2008 candidates and elected officials to the community. Non-profit organizations: June 1st is the deadline to register, or you lose your food items forever!

Early parade registrants are the Rolling Hills Committee Church featuring the Rolling Hills Youth. And, a second float, a new entry this year: The Little Miss/Little Mr. Lago Vista contestants, a group Miss Judy is coordinator for their contest later in the day. The Lago Vista Women's Club will be showing off the young ladies whom they gave scholarships to this year. The Lago Vista Golf Club, Point Venture Golf Club, Girl Scouts have all registered. The Holy Cow Café, thanks to the St. Peters' Episcopal Church will be open for lunch and supper. The Falcon Club of America is featured, and a surprise float featuring a long-time "resident".

Some 20 bands are being considered this year for the two band stands at Bar K Park. Check out the website and vote for your favorite local and Central Texas bands! T-shirt Logos due June 1! LagoVistaJuly4.org or call 970-4400.

MAY 9, 2008

Tatoo Contest at the Lone Star
By Ann Murrow - 970-4400

Imagine this! Lago Vista 4th of July Council is sponsoring a tattoo contest! And it's at Larry's Lone Star Bar in Jonestown! Tattoos, all types, colors and intensities are to be judged Friday, June 6th.. It's all part of the fun planned for the 4th of July at the Bar K Recreational Park in Lago Vista, where the final tattoo competition is slated in the afternoon. Flex your muscles and show off your pride and joy. Semi-finalists chosen at the Lone Star will include a variety of tattoos: most colorful, ornate, longest-worn, religious, pretty and other categories selected prior to the contest at the Lone Star. Judging for the semi-finals at Larry's is slated for 7:00-9:00 p.m. June 6th. The only restriction to enter is that contestants must be twenty-one or over. Bring along a form of identification, please. Register now at LagoVistaJuly4.org. Cheerleaders are welcome.

Auction items are tumbling in, thanks to many thoughtful business people in Lago Vista, Cedar Park and Austin. Complete audio testing by Austin Ear Ear, Nose and Throat ($450); Bateman's Gifts and Coffee, Jonestown ($25); Cedar Park Jewelry ($100 certificate); two, not one, but two Pizza Parties ( $120 each party) by Dominos Pizza; two manicures for malady at Hair After Salon ($15 each) and, get this: two bald men's haircuts ($20 each) plus pedicures also at Hair After Salon ($30 each) as well as two women's haircuts, including blow-dries ($10 each); American flag with telescoping pole, North Shore - Lake Travis Rotary Club ($150); gift certificate from Mary Kay Cosmetics ($50); two computer diagnostics from North Shore Computers ($50 each); chef master BBQ tool 8-piece set from Harlan Fischer ($40) and the list continues to grow. Add your item to the list by calling Dave Machart at 267-6260. Check it out on the web!

The auction is set for the July 4th from 3:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the Bar K Park. Items are to be auctioned by our community's very own professional auctioneer Larry Waddle, who travels to Houston, Dallas and Austin for his auctioneering events, will be holding both live and silent auctions in Lago Vista on the 4th. Catch the fun as Waddle goes through his paces!

Three energetic members of the Auction Committee are Stan Miller, Dave Machart and Linda Nelson.

June 1st is the new deadline for everything pertaining to the 4th of July: artists submitting T-shirt logos, friends wanting to submit a name for the Unsung Hero Award and for submitting auction items. This is also the new deadline for non-profit organizations to renew same-item foods that they served in the past.

Come join the fun tonight at the Council meeting where Anna Johndrow announces her plans for the Zippy Dance contest.

Meetings are held at the home of the Macharts, 19720 Boggy Ford Road at 6:30 P.M. Finger food is often available. Questions and rumor control: please call 970-4400

MAY 04, 2008

Lago Vista will rock on the 4th! The Battle of the Bands begins this weekend and you are invited to participate. Two band stands will be filled non-stop for your enjoyment on the 4th of July. All types of music, dancing and entertainment: blues, jazz, rock, country plus ballroom, Latin, country and western, square, round, tap, impressionistic, ballet, and modern dancing. Yes, a Zippy Dance contest is in progress, too. The grand winner will take home a prize.

This weekend, May 8th, 9th and 10th let the Lago Vista 4th of July Council know the bands, by name, that you would like to hear at the 2008 celebration, the largest annual event on the North Shore. It's easy! Tell Mark Alger in person at the Deli Werks or send an email to AnnMurrow@aol.com The most mentioned bands will be invited to entertain on the 4th! Cast your votes!

American Idyl, Lago Vista Style begins at Bam's, Saturday, May 31 (7-11:00 p.m.), Deli Werks, Friday, June 13, (8:30-12:30), Remington's, Saturday, June 21 (9:00), Deli Werks, Friday, June 27(:30-12:30), semi-finals on July 4 (4:30), finals on July 4 at 7:30 p. The winner shall receive a three-hour recording slot at the Jumping Dog Studios.

Check out LagoVistaJuly4.orgThis site is never finished, as new updates pop up daily. Register to enter a float in the community patriot parade, a booth and for all the fun things you will be doing on the 4th: sports, family games, eating, and, of course, the fireworks.

APRIL 2, 2008

It's a Grand Ol' Flag!
By Ann Murrow
970-4400

"It's a Grand Ol' Flag" is the 2008 theme for the July 4th Event in Lago Vista! So let's plant flags…everywhere: parade floats, golf carts, booths, cars, businesses and homes. It's our way of showing our thankfulness in being an American. Join in! Awards will be given on the basis as to how well the theme "It's a Grand Ol' Flag" was incorporated into their float. Lots of flags, please.

No rain date this year, according to a vote of the Lago Vista July 4th Council. So, an early rain dance is called for this year, to assure that all rains and floods have come and long gone prior to our community's biggest annual event.

Another big change from the Council this year is who can and who may not provide certain foods at the event and what may or may not be duplicated. Please call 970-4400 for details.

Little Miss and Mr. Lago Vista contestants may well find themselves riding in the parade, thanks to Miss Judy. American flags and signs saying "vote for me" on each contestant will be in evidence The under eight set, comprised of youngsters throughout the community will learn the American way of being a politician as well as an entertainer, thanks to Judy Geddess.

Come to the Council's meeting this evening and enjoy the business at hand and the homemade finger food. Our new meeting location is at 19720 Boggy Ford Road, across from the American Storage units.

MARCH 5, 2008

Let's Pick a Theme for the 4th
Ann Murrow
970-4400

Politics! Politics Now pick a theme for the 4th of July festivities. The winning theme will be used the day-long event. Floats, costumes,music and food booths will be judged on how they portrayed the theme. Send your list to AnnMurrow@aol.com Deadline: March 15th.

The history of the 4th event has surprises, but filled with the Spirit of Lago Vista.

Originally a potluck supper at the Jerry Turner home on Lakeshore, where a hat was passed to defray cost of fireworks. Great food and a lively celebration as many of the residents in the 1970's were retired military families.

During the 1980's National Resort Community, (NRC) local developer donated $1000 and a fireworks company was hired. Checks were added (Jim Hund's annual $100) and the display became an annual affair. He and Patsy Boles organized the mid-80's event, calling it LagoFest. The parade originated on Bar K Road, eventually moved to Dawn Drive.

In 1995 Ann Murrow was asked by Richard Skipper, president of the Lago Vista Chamber of Commerce to organize and execute the 4th of July event. Her goal was to increase resident participation in the parade, sports and family activities with lots of music and a grand fireworks show. She gathered enthusiastic hard-working residents like Joe West (music), Julie Camp (T-shirt logo artist), Roland Siefkin (treasurer), John Meiske, Ray Lauterbach (5K race). Much politics that year!

Volunteers! Bless them! Seifkin suggested inviting presidents of the non-profit organizations in town i.e. Lions, Rotary and all the churches. The meeting room walls were lined with sign-up sheets, listing areas whereby each organization committed to participate in the day's many activities. It was a wildly successful meeting. Each of these organizations continue to participate each year. They provide parade floats and fill residents' tummies with food. This event is where the Holy Cow Café was born! Non-profits can always be counted upon. They are the glue that keeps the event going each year!

Fond memories: St. Mary's, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church members marching, carrying huge American flags, the Wall duplicated became a winning float. And the parades and crowds have grown since, even when the parade waited until the weatherman said "ok" a couple of years ago. The crowd stayed, waiting in the drizzle, applauding wildly as the soaked floats and participants floated by. Lago Vistans have the patriotic spirit!

One year it was raining cats-and-dogs at 10:00 a.m. as booths were setting up. A vote canceled the activities. Later the sun came out, TV channels were notified and a huge crowd arrived for the fireworks.

Lake Travis rules! Another year the lake flooded a week prior to the event. The event was transferred to the Inn on Lake Travis, with fireworks launched from Highland Lake Drive. A week to plan! It went off without a hitch. Fireworks were late that night, because the fire chief (he launches the fireworks) had to attend to a car wreck first.

Another year the lake flooded and the day's events were held on the Labor Day weekend.
Last year, yet another flood, so a Lazer Light Show was engaged, with full cooperation with the City of Lago Vista personnel and Father Joe Schmitt of the Catholic Church to have the event at the church grounds. PEC participated. With everything arranged for, Murrow sighed, then cancelled it due to excessive heat and no escape from the sun.

Have you looked at the lake lately? It's ten feet over it's normal level.

Come join us this evening. K Oaks Clubhouse. 6:30 P.M.