June 20 marked the first official day of summer, and in St. Clair County, that means lazy days at the lake; lounging on the pier, listening to the sounds of water crashing against the side of the boat as music from the radio fills the air. And this year, even more activities have come to the area.

Notably, the cities of Moody and Pell City have recently opened their new Splash Pads up to use. The Moody Splash Pad is open Tuesday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 5 p.m. with admission of $2 per person.

The Pell City Splash pad, located in Lakeside Park is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and costs $3 per person with children under two being free. Several other municipalities throughout the county also have splash pads, which are a popular option for family fun in the sun.

For something to do in the evening, the new Coyote Drive-In theatre is open in Leeds. On Tuesdays they have $5 Double Feature nights. On weekends, the theatre recommends arriving 90 minutes before your scheduled movie starts in order to get the best space available. While waiting for your movie to start, you can walk over to the restaurant they have on-site, Canteen, and enjoy dinner or drinks before your showing. For more information on movies and show times, go to CoyoteDrive-In.com/Leeds.

But even with new attractions, the lake will certainly hold its usual draw for residents and visitors. Many people come to the area to drop their boat into the water and enjoy time off of school and work. Many marinas and gas stations in the area have a boat launch that can be used by the public for a small fee. One popular choice for boaters is the Pell City Civic Center, which charges $5 to use the boat launch.

But while you’re out on the boat, it’s also important to make sure you and your passengers are safe. The Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) reminds people that making sure your boat is equipped with safety gear such as life jackets, flares and other items is important to ensuring a safe outing on the water.

It is also imperative to have a back-up plan to get home in case your boat is unable to get you back to shore. Assistance can be provided from the free BoatUS towing app, available at BoatUS.com/app.

While out on the water, boats are often seen beached on islands throughout Logan Martin, and throughout the past few years one island that’s drawn the most attention is Pirate Island. Always crowded with boats, the island is located off the main channel, near the Skyline and Funderburg Bend Road area.

When you arrive, you’re welcomed with a pirate flag and a sign declaring you’ve reached Pirate Island. The oasis has a BBQ grill for people who want to cook lunch and a treasure chest people that’s set up for visitors to take a souvenir out and replace it with something they’ve brought from home.

Doris Munkus, who frequently visits Pirate Island and enjoys what it has to offer, says she estimates that at least 500 people visit Pirate Island each week.

Locally owned and kept, the island is made to be child friendly. It is asked that people who visit the island do their part to help keep it clean by picking up after themselves, and generally be respectful to the property.

For days when going out on the lake just doesn’t feel right, a trip up to Horse Pens 40 could be in order. Filled with magnificent rock formations and hiking trails, the park allows for recreations such as hiking, picnicking and more. Located up in Steele, the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to after sunset, except on certain holidays. Check their website for more information at http://horsepens40.tripod.com/.

Summer also brings farmers markets, where people can purchase fresh and local produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are harvested usually within 24 hours of being brought to the market, which provides it with a brighter and better taste than most food from grocery stores. Open every Wednesday from 2 – 5:30 p.m., the Pell City farmer’s market is located on US Hwy 231 North, just past the post office.

With things to do on both water and land, summer in St. Clair county is set up to have something for everyone to enjoy.