Ava and Wesley Rodriguez exit their kayak during last year’s Moraine State Park Regatta on the south shore. Butler Eagle File Photo

About 20,000 people are expected to make a splash and walk the shore of Lake Arthur Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 and 3, for the 26th annual Moraine State Park Regatta.

With that expected turnout, the event’s leadership board has spent the past year with a goal in mind: to offer something for every single attendee.

“We try to offer activities for all ages. Some of the activities are age-specific, but we do our best to give everyone something to do,” said Amanda Becker, event director for the Regatta and owner of Appleseed Events.

Appleseed Events has contracted with the Moraine State Park board of directors for event management since 2019.

Since its start 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.

The Regatta will offer a diverse range of activities on both land and water. Saturday’s activities will kick off at 10 a.m. and conclude with fireworks around 9 p.m.

Activities on the water include paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking or learning to fly-fish. Those sticking to land will have opportunities, such as archery and rock climbing. Most of the events will be free and run on both days.

“One of the greatest things about the Regatta is how many free activities we’re able to offer,” Becker said. “When you come to the event, you sign a waiver and get a wristband that serves as your admission.”

Sunday’s activities kick off at 8:30 a.m. with the annual Moraine Regatta 5K race along the Sunken Garden Trail and activities resume through the rest of the morning and afternoon. The event will conclude with the Regatta Butterfly Release at 5 p.m.

The Regatta will also feature local live musical acts throughout the weekend, such as Black Ridge and The Shiners on Saturday and Jenifer Lynn Baker on Sunday.

“We obviously wanted to have live music, but when you have this many people, it’s hard to find things that everyone likes,” Becker said. “We tried to get a diverse list of local and regional artists so everyone can find something they like.”

On top of activities and music, the Regatta is bringing over 50 regional vendors, including over a dozen food vendors, to the lake’s shore. Becker said the vendors offer a unique range of foods and products for attendees to purchase.

“For food, we have just about everything you could imagine,” she said. “We have fried stuff, like traditional fair food, but we also have healthier options. The weather forecast looks like it’ll be good for a cold treat, too.”

Becker also highlighted some other areas where the board made strides to increase opportunities for certain attendees, such as more environmental education tailored for children.

“One of the things we thought is that we’re trying to bring people of all ages, including young families,” she said. “This year, we set up a tent for nursing moms so they don’t have to nurse in 90-degree heat. It’s a small thing, but it will go such a long way for those moms.”

Becker also took the time to recognize the over 100 community organizations that are participating in the event, such as vendors and sponsors.

The Regatta will take place on the south shore of Lake Arthur in a parking lot located on Pleasant Valley Road. Event attendance and parking is free.

Becker suggests for attendees to wear sunscreen and bring a change of clothes. She said recreation equipment required for the activities will be provided and on a first-come, first-served basis.

To participate in the land and water activities, attendees must receive a wristband by signing a waiver at the information tent.

All registration for Regatta land and water events will be on site, but Regatta 5K and Paddlesports Race participants can sign up in advance online. A list of land and water activities and event schedule and can be found at the Regatta’s website, morainestateparkregatta.org.