Awake the Lakes

The Awake the Lakes Festival is Alexandria’s kick-off to the summer season and will take place May 27-28. 
A variety of family-friendly activities are planned for the Memorial Day weekend celebration. Friday, May 27 highlights include the Ribfest Cook-Off, Beer Garden and Fireworks, sponsored by Elden’s Food Fair. All events will take place on Second Avenue. 
Kick back and enjoy the music of the lakes area’s own rockin' blues band, the Lazyboyz! The group will perform rock tunes by ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, George Thorogood, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Doors and Bob Seger as well as classic Blues by Muddy Waters, Magic Slim, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker and others. Whiplash will take over the stage at 8:30 p.m. The group delivers the best classic rock performance in the area. With more than 75 years combined experience, the Whiplash boys know what makes people want to bust loose and celebrate the days of summer. 
Saturday, May 28 is Family Fun and Fitness Day. Activities start at 8 a.m. in Fort Alexandria with “Breakfast with Big Ole.” Also free to the public is the annual Show N’ Shine Car Show on 2nd Avenue. (See related story.) There will be a community yoga class at Big Ole Park and face painting, food vendors, petting zoo, pony ring, YMCA family frisbee golf, family zumba and bocce ball and more on 2nd Avenue. The downtown merchants will hold a Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest along with sidewalk sales. Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County will host a motorcycle ride beginning at Apol’s at 10 a.m. On Saturday evening enjoy Monroe Crossing at the Phoenix Event Center located on County Road 42. Several other events will be happening in the area throughout the weekend. For a complete schedule of events, visit the website www.awakethelakes.com.