Moraine Regatta celebrates its 25th run
The 25th annual Moraine State Park Regatta makes a splash Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4, on the shore of Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park.
Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, with the Moraine Regatta 5K on the Sunken Garden Trail, and the event ends with the Buttlerfly Breeze Yoga for Kids with Valley Om Yoga Studio at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4.
Started in 1998, the Moraine State Park Regatta “aims to showcase eco-recreational activities for all ages and to promote Moraine State Park,” according to the event’s official website. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the regatta was canceled in 2020 and is celebrating its 25th event this year.
“We started very small, I can’t remember what the first event was. Just a few food and craft vendors on the north shore, and 10 years after that we moved to the south shore,” regatta exhibit vendor coordinator Sam Barill said.
“A lot of people — even if they do live right here in Butler County — they don’t realize what a treasure they have here in Moraine State Park. There’s so much to do here, and the event is a great way to showcase that,” Moraine State Park Regatta director and owner of Appleseed Events LLC, Amanda Becker said. Appleseed Events has contracted with the Moraine State Park Board of Directors for event management since 2019.
Activities include a classic boat display, community paddle lessons with SurfSUP Adventures and the Lake Arthur Sailing Club Boat Parade.
Live music will be provided throughout the event. Participants also can spot the LifeFlight helicopter along Pleasant Valley Road in the park, courtesy of Allegheny Health Network.
“It’s a great way for people to try things out and to experience the park in a different way,” Becker said.
Food vendors, ranging from gyros to smoothies, will be at the event. The concessions stand also will be open to the public. Those who wish to picnic at the park are welcome to bring their own food, according to the regatta’s FAQ page.
“I just enjoy working with the vendors. A lot of our vendors — especially the food and craft vendors — have been there since the beginning. There’s a loyalty factor there,” Barill said.
In addition to events, such as the boat parade and paddle lessons, the regatta will feature its first Classic Boat Display on Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Awards will be presented at 4 p.m. on Aug. 4.
“We’re not sure what to expect, but we’re excited to see how that turns out,” Becker said about the Classic Boat Display.
The regatta will feature a fireworks display on Aug. 3, beginning around 9 p.m., provided by AHN. AHN Wexford and Grove City hospitals are sponsors of the event.
“There’s a little bit of something for everybody,” Becker said.
All registration for regatta land and water events will be on site, but Regatta 5K and Paddlesports Race participants can sign up in advance. A list of land and water activities can be found at the Regatta’s website, morainestateparkregatta.org.
