This remains one of the most anticipated events of the boating season on the Occoquan and Potomac, and rightly so! Each year the owners of Holiday Island (Mark Richards, James Sejd, and Terry Hill of Hampton’s Landing Marina) host a massive raft-up party and concert, and they’re bringing it back again this summer. The crowds keep growing, and 2026 looks like it will be another big one.
This year’s party kicks off around noon on Saturday, August 1, starting with DJ Neil to get everyone warmed up. After that, Junk Food and the Road Ducks (in no particular order) will take the stage and keep the live music going until around 5PM. Josh Hill of Potomac Marine offered solid advice that still applies:
- The best place to raft up is the northeastern side of the island, because the bands face that direction.
- Do not swim to the island. There’s too much activity and it creates safety and security issues. Stay on your boats, jet skis, or kayaks.
- For safety, red buoys will mark the restricted area around the island. Stay clear of those buoys to avoid damaging your boat.
The event draws a huge crowd, so plan to arrive early if you want a good spot. Space fills up quickly once the music starts.
Holiday Island sits in the middle of Occoquan Bay, between High Point and Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge (coordinates 38.620786, -77.226395). It’s a relatively small island, so a map is helpful if you’re heading there for the first time. We included a lovely image to help you below.
This is one of the signature summer parties on the local waters, with great music, big raft-ups, and a solid day on the water. Mark your calendar for August 1 and we’ll see you out there!
