The Moraine State Regatta plans to set sail this year with the theme “50+1.”

An expanded three-day event will belatedly commemorate the park's 50th anniversary.

Last year's regatta was intended to celebrate the park's actual anniversary, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regatta board of directors and event organizers decided to increase the festival from two to three days, planned for Aug. 6 to 8, and “refresh” the annual event with a renewed focus on eco-recreation and promoting the park.

Activities including sailing races, a 5K trail race, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, ecotours, butterfly release and activities for children are being planned, but details on how to make them comply with coronavirus-related restrictions are still being worked out, said Amanda Becker, event director for Appleseed Events, which was hired by the board to help organize the regatta.

“As you can imagine, planning events is a little different this year,” Becker said. “We're refocusing to promote eco-recreation and promoting Moraine State Park as a place families can enjoy. Right now, we're figuring out the type of activities and how we can do that safely following all the guidelines. We're really not sure what that's going to look like yet.”

Park manager Dustin Drew, who works with the board and Becker, said the COVID restrictions will make planning challenging. Park staff will have to approve event plans to adhere to the restrictions that will be in place at the time and make sure the plans are followed.

He said the plans will have to be flexible because the restrictions can change.

“We won't allow anything that doesn't fit the restrictions. We work with planners to make sure they meet the requirements and follow COVID restrictions,” Drew said.

The event usually attracts 15,000 to 20,000 over the course of the weekend and is one of the largest events held at the park every year, he said.

“We're all hopeful that things like that start taking place again,” Drew said.

The Sunken Garden Trail on the South Shore of Lake Arthur will be the track for the 5K race.

Paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing are intended to give people a taste of the water and land activities they can enjoy at the park. “The regatta will be away to showcase all these things people can do with their families outside,” Becker said.

She declined to offer a hint about the event being planned to celebrate the park's golden anniversary.

“We are planning something to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary since we weren't able to in 2020,” Becker said. “We're really excited.”