Expanding the AquaPalooza Grand Lake Fun
We’re back, and Grand Lake’s largest on-the-water concert and raft-up is getting even bigger in 2023!
We've got so much fun planned for this year's AquaPalooza Grand Lake that it can't be contained to just one day. That's why we are expanding the 2023 AquaPalooza Grand Lake to a two-day event, plus a multi-day AquaPalooza Grand Tasting Tour brought to you by Rock Creek Distillery. That’s right. In addition to the main concert and raft-up on Saturday, July 15, there will also be two pre-parties on Friday, July 14, and Aquapalooza Grand Tasting Tour leading up to the main event.
The AquaPalooza Grand Tasting Tour is a lead-up to Grand Lake's largest on-the-water concert. Celebrating Oklahoma is one of our favorite things to do, and the 2023 AquaPalooza Grand Lake is ALL about Oklahoma-made! We will showcase our headline sponsor, Rock Creek Distillery, with a tasting tour of Grand Lake, visiting all your favorite local bars, restaurants and liquor stores showcasing the fantastic taste of Dead Parrot rum and Schultz vodka recipes. It's FREE to attend! To find tour dates, visit Aquapalooza Grand Lake.
After all the fun of the AquaPalooza Grand Tasting Tour, we kick off the fun with the first of two pre-parties, a special AquaPalooza VIP event, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Ketchum.
Presented by 360GrandLake.com and Rock Creek Distillery, the VIP event will include live music, delicious finger foods and swag bags filled with an array of goodies, including a 2023 AquaPalooza Grand Lake T-shirt, exclusive AquaPalooza gift certificates, coupons and promo items from Grand Lake area businesses and lots of fun items from Rock Creek Distillery for gold package VIPs. Silver package ticket holders will also receive a swag bag with many Grand Lake promo items, coupons, and gift certificates.
VIP Ticket Info
There are two levels of Rock Creek Distillery VIP tickets available with a limited number of each: Exclusive gold package VIP tickets are $110 each with only 100 available, and silver package VIP tickets are $55 and limited to 200.
Tickets to the AquaPalooza Rock Creek Distillery VIP event are available at GrandLakeConcert.com.
The Lighthouse Restaurant is located at 104 E. Ketchum Ave., in Ketchum. The restaurant will also be open to the public for dining on Friday, July 14, with purchased tickets only for the VIP area.
More Pre-Party Fun
After the VIP event, the fun will continue at Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina for the second of the two AquaPalooza Grand Lake pre-parties.
Everyone 21 and over is invited to join in on the fun at the AquaPalooza Grand Lake pre-party bash from 9 p.m. to midnight. This event is open to the public.
Gold package VIP ticket holders will receive wristband VIP entry to Sharky’s Bar with access to a VIP area as they dance the night away to the bar’s live entertainment.
Sharky’s Bar at Hammerhead Marina is located at 34988 Hammerhead Road, in Ketchum.
The Main Event
On Saturday, July 15, 15,000 boaters and water lovers of all ages will boat, paddle and swim their way to Duck Creek as Oklahoma’s largest on-the-water concert and raft up rocks Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.
Free and open to all ages, the floating four-hour concert and Grand Lake’s most epic summer party will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on The Point at Grand Lake RV Resort, hosting the 13th annual event.
Keeping with the all the things Oklahoma theme, the 2023 AquaPalooza Grand Lake will feature Tulsa’s premier party/dance band, House Party.
Known for its family-friendly music, high-energy stage show and top-quality sound, the band covers many musical genres and plays many parties hit favorites.
The band comprised of three professional musicians: lead vocalist Tony Sabelo, guitar/vocalist Jim Long and drummer/vocalist Ken Young.
“We love bringing the good times and good tunes,” said Young. “We just enjoy the hell out of what we do.”
This year’s appearance at AquaPalooza Grand Lake will be a return engagement for House Party, which performed at the 2022 event. And, according to Young, the band is looking forward to it.
“AquaPalooza was one of our most fun shows, a total blast,” Young said. “We loved it and are honored and excited to be coming back.”
There will be one change for the band. In 2023, House Party performed on land at The Point. However, after several years of having performers set up on the ground, organizers are bringing back the floating barge stage. Anchored offshore, the floating stage will put the band back on the water, where they can make waves with their music.
Ramps will be available on The Point for easy access to the designated swim area in front of the stage.
AquaPalooza Grand Lake is accessible by Grand or by land. Grand Lake RV Resort is located on Duck Creek at 31527 South 4510 Road, Afton.
For those coming by land, parking passes will be required to enter Grand Lake RV Resort. Parking passes are available for advance purchase for $12.50 by clicking HERE or at the gate on Saturday for $20. Entry into the event grounds opens at 11 a.m.
The parking pass is valid only for July 17, 2023, and must be shown at the gate to enter. All vehicles must be removed no later than 6 p.m. Unauthorized cars on the event site outside these times will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Absolutely, no animals and no boats will be allowed entry into the Grand Lake RV Resort property during AquaPalooza Grand Lake.
For the latest information on what promises to be the party of the summer, join the event on Facebook at 2023 AquaPalooza Grand Lake.
AquaPalooza Grand Lake is a free public event made possible by generous sponsors every year on the third Saturday in July.
