Regatta's 20th anniversary will be explosive
This year the Regatta at Lake Arthur celebrates its 20th anniversary with some explosiveness and some reflection.
Bethany Addams, the event's coordinator, said organizers have tweaked their finale events for both Saturday and Sunday. The regatta is organized by East Wing Events in Gibsonia.
Addams said Saturday's fireworks finale at 9 p.m. will have more power behind the explosive spectacle.
“We are enhancing it this year because it's our 20th anniversary and we want to make it a very special display,” she said.
On Sunday, Addams said, the regatta's butterfly release finale will have an extra segment honoring past board members, volunteers and others who have dedicated their time over the years.
“The public also has opportunity to purchase individual butterflies in honor or memory of a loved one,” Addams said. “We're looking forward to that this year as a new element to that portion of the event.”
Addams said the regatta has added new events that will be available throughout the day too.
She said organizers are excited about expanding education programs, with a tent dedicated to speakers, such as local author Polly Shaw, the Butler Butterfly Ladies and the gristmill baker Stan Malecki from the Old Stone House in Slippery Rock.“He's talking about ancient grains and bread-making strategies,” Addams said.Addams said organizers have also added some new activities for children and their families, like a bike rodeo.The bike rodeo will be staffed by Liberty Mutual Insurance employees who will help children through bike safety guidelines and an obstacle course. The company also will be raffling off a bikes, one for a boy and one for a girl.“The kids that participate (in the rodeo) will be entered to win,” Addams said.The regatta has also added a family scavenger hunt that will incorporate a few different outdoor activities.Addams said one event didn't make the cut though this year. She said the Family Fun 5K Run did not garner enough support and will not be held.“It didn't get the traction we were hoping for this year,” she said. “Will try again next year.”Other returning events continue to show stability.The children's tent will return with crafts and experiences with aquatic animals, and the annual car cruise that spans both days is always a hit, Addams said.“That's always a fun, casual opportunity for folks to come out with their classic cars,” she said.
Organizers hope an event making a return from last year, the Dock Dog K9 Aquatics Competition, will become a solid program for years to come.Addams said the competition is an easy sell for visitors because a lot of people love dogs.“Dogs that are novices and pros can participate,” she said. “It's just fun to see the dogs jump off a 40-foot dock into a pool.”In addition to its 40 vendors selling food, drinks and trinkets, the regatta has 13 live musical performances lined up over the two days.New this year is a karaoke program from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Saturday and 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. Sunday, at the event's main stage.Holly Muchnok, president and event director for East Wing Events, said the event has received a lot of help from the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau this year. She said the bureau's aid has helped put together a bigger, better display for their milestone anniversary.Muchnok said the people who run the park every day deserve credit too, and she urges everyone to thank the rangers and park staff whenever they see them.“Men and women that are the park staff and park rangers that are taking care of this beautiful resource deserve thanks,” Muchnok said.The regatta attracted 15,000 visitors to last year's event, according to Addams.“Historically, we've seen 15,000 to 20,000 (visitors) consistently over the weekend,” Addams said. “This year we would be expecting about the same numbers, if not more.”
