You Won’t Go Hungry at Aquapalooza Grand Lake 2017
Classic Barbecue With a Twist
Blazin' B's BBQ, the Grand Lake area's newest food truck, is bringing its mouthwatering barbecue to Aquapalooza Grand Lake 2017.
The Unexpected
Blazin' B's BBQ food truck's pulled pork nachos are an unexpected take on barbecue; however, the result is a down-right tasty dish that is very popular with customers.
Tastefully Twisted
Worley's Ice Cream food truck's soft-serve vanilla ice cream is swirled with a ribbon of flavor, such as chocolate, on the outside of the twist cone, as well as stripe of flavor inside.
Sweet Treat
If you need a refreshingly cool treat during Aquapalooza, stop by the 8230 Enterprises/Worley's Ice Cream food truck for tastefully twisted ice cream.
The Party Returns
Aquapalooza Grand Lake 2016 was a fantastic party and this year's event, Saturday, July 15, promises to be bigger and better than ever. Don't miss out on Grand Lake's largest on-the-water concert and raft up.
Food Trucks Bring Tasty Goodness to On-The-Water Concert and Raft Up
Aquapalooza Grand Lake 2017, the largest on-the-water concert and raft up on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, is a not-to-be-missed party. It is held every year on the third Saturday in July.
This year’s eighth annual Aquapalooza Grand Lake kicks off Saturday, July 15, at 1 p.m., with the fun continuing until 5 p.m. The event is free and open to all ages.
The headline performer at Aquapalooza Grand Lake 2017 is 5th Element, an upbeat, high-energy, power-packed cover band that blends a variety of genres, from country and classic rock to blues, R&B, pop and a little bit of funk.
Based out of Tulsa, 5th Element covers an array of favorites from the ’70s to current Top 40 hits, and King promises 5th Element will put on an exciting show with something for everyone.
Presented by 360GrandLake.com, Aquapalooza Grand Lake will bring more than 14,000 boaters and water-lovers together for an afternoon of live music and fun on the water.
For those working up a hunger or thirst during the on-the-water concert and raft up, Blazin’ B’s BBQ and 8230 Enterprises/Worley’s Ice Cream food trucks will be set up on the SouthWinds Marina property. From barbecue sandwiches to tastefully twisted ice cream cones, the food trucks will have a wide variety of options to satisfy anyone’s appetite.
Mouthwatering Barbecue
Blazin’ B’s BBQ is the Grand Lake area’s newest food truck but its mouthwatering barbecue is quickly building a loyal following.
Owner/operators Melisa and Brian Norton recently moved to Grove from Hugoton, Kansas, to start their food truck business. The former teacher and gas company employee chose to highlight barbecue on their food truck because that’s Brian’s specialty.
“Brian’s always cooked,” Melisa said. “We have a ton of hunters who come every year, and he always cooked barbecue and pulled pork for them. Everybody says it’s good, so that’s why we chose barbecue and he’s always talked about having a food truck.”
The menu at Blazin’ B’s BBQ offers classic barbecue staples such as ribs, pulled pork, brisket and sausage, but also departs from the expected with pulled pork nachos and Buffalo chicken thighs.
An old-fashioned favorite, smoked bologna, which has a growing number of fans, is also on the menu.
The meats are served as sandwiches, dinners or by the pound.
Available with dinners or by the pint, the Blazin’ B’s BBQ sides include Brian’s homemade beans that is seasoned with sausage and brisket, homemade cole slaw, potato salad and chips.
The Nortons also make their own Blazin’ B’s BBQ sauce, which Melisa describes as “a little sweet.” The barbecue sauce is served with the meat, which was prepared with a dry rub before being smoked.
All of the food is prepared, cooked and/or smoked on the trunk, which has a smoker in the back of the trailer.
The full menu, including drinks, will be available at Aquapalooza Grand Lake, so you’ll want to take this opportunity to discover for yourself why Blazin’ B’s BBQ is turning heads in the Grand Lake area.
When Blazin’ B’s BBQ food truck isn’t catering special events, you can find its delicious goodness in Vinita on Wednesdays, across the street from the Vinita Sale Barn on East Illinois Ave., in Miami on Thursdays at the Ottawa County Farmers’ Market at 225 B St. NW (All Saints Episcopal Church) and on Fridays and Saturdays at Eagle’s Landing at 25301 Highway 59 North in Grove.
On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, Blazin’ B’s BBQ food truck is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is open from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday.
We All Scream for Ice Cream
If you need a refreshingly cool treat during Aquapalooza, stop by the 8230 Enterprises/Worley’s Ice Cream food truck for tastefully twisted ice cream.
A revolutionary product, the soft-serve vanilla ice cream is swirled with a ribbon of flavor on the outside of the twist cone, as well as a stripe of flavor inside, for a fun, colorful treat filled with a burst of great-tasting flavor.
“This is specialty ice cream. It’s vanilla ice cream with a flavor burst,” said Stephanie Worley, who owns and operates the food truck with her husband, Pete. “It’s unique and delicious. We’ve been told that we’re the only ones in northeast Oklahoma that has this machine.”
Worley’s Ice Cream food truck offers nine flavors that can be striped on the ice cream, including chocolate, cotton candy, bubblegum, pina colada, tropical orange, cheesecake, green apple, butter pecan and vanilla.
The colorful, twisted ice cream is available in either a cone or two sizes of cups, medium and large.
The flavors can also be added to the hand-spun milkshakes available from the food truck.
To quench your thirst, the Worley’s Ice Cream food truck offers fresh-squeezed lemonade, pop and water.
You’ll also find perennial food truck faves like nachos and giant pretzels with mustard and cheese.
And, everything is available for a wallet-friendly amount.
“Our prices range from $1 to $5. There’s nothing over $5,” said Worley. “We also accept credit cards.”
This is the first time the Worleys will bring their food truck to Aquapalooza, but they are looking forward to the event.
“We’ve read about Aquapalooza and we’re excited to be one of the food trucks,” Worley said. “We have a home in Langley, and, we did 2016 Party on the Point last year.”
Worley describes the 8230 Enterprise/Worley’s Ice Cream food truck as “our retirement hobby.” Parents of three grown children and four grandsons, the couple are educators — she’s a first-grade teacher and he’s a school auditor — and the food truck is their side business.
They’ve been in business since May 2016, but when asked why they chose a food truck, Worley explained it all started on a bit of a whim.
“My husband and youngest bought the food truck sight unseen from an online auction in Iowa,” Worley said. “My reaction was ‘Are you all crazy? This is work. W. O. R. K. Work!
“We won the bid, then drove up there and picked it up. I prayed before we opened the truck that everything would be OK. Every part to that flavor burst machine, every piece of equipment that was in the truck was in working order and we were in business.”
That distinctive cow-spotted food truck has people screaming for their specialty ice cream all over the state.
Based out of Owasso, the Worleys take their food truck to special events and festivals all over the state. After Aquapalooza, the Worley’s Ice Cream food truck will be at the Owasso Gathering on Main, the third Thursday events in Pryor, the Gatesway Balloon Festival in Broken Arrow and the Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah.
“We’re also for hire for private parties, weddings and birthday parties,” Worley said.
The Worleys also try to donate back to the community and their church. One Sunday night a month, the Worley’s Ice Cream food truck serves ice cream and treats to kids at the SK8 Church Owasso’s skate park.
After being in the food truck business for more than a year, Worley said she is very happy they got started with this hobby.
“I’m absolutely glad we did it,” Worley said. “We’ve met a lot of amazing people and we’ve been able to minister to so many.”
Stop by the 8230 Enterprise/Worley’s Ice Cream and the Blazin’ B’s BBQ food trucks during Aquapalooza. Say hello and treat yourself to some delicious food and snacks.
About Aquapalooza Grand Lake
SouthWinds Marina, in Bernice, is once again hosting the Aquapalooza Grand Lake event, which is accessible by land or by Grand.
Thousands of boats are expected to gather in Horse Creek while hundreds of people will fill the designated swimming area in front of the 30-by-50 barge stage where 5th Element will perform. The barge stage is anchored about 200 feet out from SouthWinds Marina.
Boaters won’t be able to miss the stage, the huge tent or the banners flying on many of the thousands of boats expected for the event. They are invited to anchor in the cove and enjoy the concert.
For those arriving by land, SouthWinds Marina will once again be providing official event boats to shuttle people from the marina to the swim area. The shuttle boat will only go to the swim area, where riders will have to get into the water.
ParadisePads will line the swim area in front of the stage with a number of colorful, foam water rafts for swimmers to lounge on during the event.
360GrandLake.com will also provide a large number of inflatables, like beach balls and mats in the swim area. However, to know they’ll be comfortable, swimmers are encouraged to bring their own inflatables and mats.
The Aquapalooza Grand Lake concert is free; however, there will be a charge for the shuttle ride to the event. All shuttle riders must purchase a $5 bracelet at SouthWinds Marina before getting on the boat. The bracelet is good for the entire day, and may be purchased at SouthWinds Marina.
Life jackets also will be required for everyone riding on the shuttle boats, regardless of age. In addition, no animals will be allowed in the swim area or on the shuttle boats.
360GrandLake.com owner and president Michelle Prine reminds people riding the shuttle boats that bringing keys, billfolds and cellphones into the swim area is done at their own risk.
Located at 28693 South 4533 Road, in Bernice, SouthWinds Marina will also have parking available during Aquapalooza. There is a $5 fee for parking a car. For those needing to launch their boats at the marina, there is $15 fee, which covers both the use of the ramp and parking for their vehicle and trailer.
Only cash will be accepted for the shuttle boat bracelets and parking.
SouthWinds Marina has overnight boat slips available on a first-come, first-served basis for $40 each. For reservations, call the marina at (918) 256-8650. Primitive camping sights also are available for $40 a night at SouthWinds Marina.
Aquapalooza Grand Lake organizers rely solely on local Grand Lake businesses to sponsor the event and provide the free fun. Sponsors for Aquapalooza Grand Lake 2017 include Grand Nation Responsible Recreation, Monkey Island RV, The Parrot Steakhouse and Grill, Current Pride Electric and Design, Austin Brown State Farm Insurance Agency, Dream Catcher Resorts, Jones Hardware & Supply, Langley Sonic Drive-In, Old Glory Fireworks and REC Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative.
Aquapalooza Grand Lake sponsors also include Pier 13, Southern Darlin's Boutique, Paradise Pads, Walker’s Hardware and Lumber, The Lighthouse Supper Club, Stuff’ns Cafe, Zach’s Audio FX and Rough Water Docks.
Other sponsors for the on-the-water concert and raft up are Port Martin, Patriot Pharmacy, MarineMax Grand Lake, The Dam Rec Park, Grand Splash Marketing, Native Knot, SouthWinds Marina, ZFX Marina Audio and Graphics and JeffM Photography.
For more information on the event, visit 360GrandLake.com.
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