Lake Martin Magazine

Two recent and seemingly unrelated news items about Russell Lands Corporation scream out what they think. Russell Lands is extremely confident that the real estate slump is over and that the next four or five years will be good for Lake Martin real estate.

The popular Kowaliga Restaurant next spring will reopen at the Lake Martin location recently occupied by Sinclair’s. Russell Lands vice president Roger Holliday said the restaurant will re-open as Kowaliga Restaurant in the spring and will aim to recapture the old magic of family dining on that iconic location.

Russell Lands holds its annual Hula Hoop Contest during its Fourth of July Blast and fireworks show.

“I think we started something.”

Those were the words Russell Marine President Dave Commander used after seeing thousands of music fans descend on Lake Martin for this year’s Sea Ray AquaPalooza event.

Officials at Russell Lands wanted to wow the crowd at its 10th annual Fourth of July Blast Concert and Fireworks Show.

They succeeded.

Two of Lake Martin’s most beloved Fourth of July traditions will celebrate big anniversaries this year.

This summer marks the 20th anniversary of Russell Marine’s Fourth of July Boat Parade and the 10th anniversary of the Russell Lands’ Fourth of July Blast, which includes a concert and one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southeast.

This year’s AquaPalooza celebration will be scaled down from last year, when country music star Alan Jackson attracted an estimated 35,000 people to Lake Martin during SeaRay’s 2009 AquaPalooza Signature Event.

Ladies milled about in wide-brimmed hats and brightly colored dresses while men watched the race in seersucker, blazer and fedoras.

It was the day of the Kentucky Derby, but this scene was set on Lake Martin, not Louisville. Hundreds of smartly dressed visitors packed into The Stables at Russell Crossroads’ open house to watch the annual Run for the Roses.

A three-story palatial home in Willow Point has entered the market with the clout to deliver on its $5 million pricetag.

Lake Martin’s gone country.

Alan Jackson’s minor tweak to the lyrics of “Gone Country” couldn’t have been more accurate.