More to love at this year’s Moraine State Park Regatta
Moraine State Park’s annual regatta, which this year is Aug. 5 and 6, expands opportunities to enjoy the park’s many outdoor activities, with the bonus of not having to pay fees to participate.
Amanda Becker of Appleseed Events, director of the Moraine State Park Regatta, said that accessibility is partly what makes the regatta special.
“It’s a completely free event — you don't have to pay for anything. It gives a lot of people the chance to do something new,” Becker said.
Kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, archery and yoga — all coordinated by volunteers — are among the activities participants can do at no cost.
The regatta will be held at the South Shore, beginning with a 5K at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 5.
Harvey Flowers, chairman of the regatta’s volunteer board of directors, said the event is a collaboration by many groups.
“We have some new things coming this year — the Special Olympics is helping out and providing inflatable bocce courts,” Flowers said. “The (U.S.) Army is going to be there with a climbing wall.”
Flowers said that though the regatta started 25 years ago, this year’s event will be the 24th event because the pandemic caused its cancellation in 2020.
Attendance has been building back up since it peaked in 2019, and Flowers said the board members hope this year’s draw could come close to 2019’s attendance.
“If we have good weather, it's going to be good turnout,” Flowers said.
Becker said about 25,000 people attend yearly.
The regatta’s board of directors is implementing a new focus this year on fundraising to improve the park, specifically on a South Shore stabilization project that will take a few years to complete.
“There is an area on the south shoreline that needs to be stabilized to provide a better fish environment and a more accessible walkway and environment,” Becker said.
The regatta’s board is composed of state park lovers who asked park manager Dustin Drew what improvements or renovations Moraine needed, and so the South Shore stabilization was selected.
“We're looking to add a parking area that is paved and handicap-accessible to make it easier for those clients and make it a more sturdy area,” Flowers said, noting that “Moraine has seen an influx of people coming and enjoying the park” since the pandemic.
Becker said the regatta is still looking for sponsors for this year’s event. Money from sponsorships will fund the South Shore project.
The event schedule and more information can be found at morainestateparkregatta.org.
