Jump into summer: Pickwick Water Weekend, April 12-14

From kayaks to pontoons to cruisers, there will be lots for the boat enthusiast in your family to do in Pickwick on the weekend of April 12, 13 and 14.

Hardin County Convention and Visitors Bureau invites the public to come check out the fun with a weekend dedicated to living the Pickwick lifestyle.

“The Pickwick Water Weekend is not just for those shopping for boats,” said Beth Pippin, Hardin County Tourism director, “It’s about offering a Pickwick lifestyle to our visitors and those looking to relocate to a second home or make the move. Our restaurants such as local favorites The Rib Cage and Freddy T’s will be serving up delicious cuisine, our specialty gift shops and fishing stores will be having specials throughout the weekend. Our Realtors, CryeLeike, Callens Realty and Duane Wright Realtors will be open to show you your dream lake house, cozy cabin, so you can get away from it all by living the Pickwick lifestyle.”

Pickwick Lake flows in Hardin County and crosses the state lines into Alabama and Mississippi along the Tennessee River, making it the place to host a water-lovers weekend.

The Water Weekend event begins Friday afternoon at Pickwick Landing State Park marina and in the mode of a marina crawl. Participants will travel to Aqua Yacht Harbor on Saturday and then on Sunday to Grand Harbor.

All three marinas are along the Tenn. 57 corridor at the Mississippi state line, making it convenient to enjoy the fun up and down the water. Each marina will showcase their services and local Pickwick boat dealers will have in-water and on land boats to sell. There will also be family activities and music.

Pickwick Landing State Park marina is showcasing boats from 1-5 p.m. Friday, with the Friends Group hosting activities from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the marina. Park rangers and marina staff will be on hand to show boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards as well as the park’s own wildlife of resident birds.

Local musician Frankie Marlar will be performing, plus there are snacks and goodies, and visitors can enter to win a kayak rental. Pickwick Inn is offering a weekend accommodation package.

Central Bank and Hardin County Bank are hosting customer appreciation days on Friday at their Pickwick/Counce locations. Drop in for giveaways and meet the financial teams.

Saturday, Aqua Yacht Harbor is showcasing boats from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in-water and in the parking area. There will be a live band, food and drinks, and a boater’s flea market.

Later that evening, Marine Sales hosts a customer appreciate night at their showroom with food, drinks, cornhole games and movies for the kids.

Sunday, Grand Harbor Marina showcases boats from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on-site at the marina with the picturesque backdrop of villas and high-rise condominiums.

Boat dealers scheduled to be on site at the marinas are Marine Sales, Paul Seaton Sales and Service, Barnes Marine and Shoups Marine.