Paddleboarders float on Lake Arthur during the Moraine State Park Regatta Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Weather interrupts annual two-day festival
MUDDY CREEK TWP — Although the Moraine State Park Regatta got rained out early Sunday, the park saw more than 11,200 attendees on its first day, Saturday, Aug. 1, with some vendors telling organizers it was their busiest regatta yet.
The regatta is a celebration all things Moraine and Lake Arthur. The event features water events, as well as many activities on the shore. The regatta occupies much of the South Shore of Moraine, the Pleasant Valley Beach area. Popular water activities included kayaking and paddleboarding — which saw record-breaking participation. Popular land events were archery and disc golf.
Amanda Becker, event director for the regatta, said Sunday that Saturday was a great day at the regatta and people even came out Sunday in spite of the wet weather. Archery was popular Sunday. There were even some people swimming in Lake Arthur despite the weather.
“I keep hearing reports that last night's fireworks were the best ever,” Becker said. “Overall it was a great day, we had lots of opportunities for people who have never been to the park before and lots of things for people who have been to the park before.”
While all of the scheduled activities went as planned on Saturday, Sunday started off with the cancellation of the 5k and the open swim due to lightning and storms in the area, Becker said. She added food vendors continued selling throughout the morning and early afternoon Sunday and there were still many people at the park.
Becker has been organizing the regatta for about six years and said this is the first time in her tenure that it had to be cut short because of weather.
She said one of the main new additions to this year’s Sunday schedule, a performance by the Butler County Symphony Orchestra, will hopefully take place at next year’s regatta.
“When it gets to be severe weather, that was when we decided to cancel,” she said. “We've never had a weather cancellation. You can't control the weather ... People were very understanding and appreciative we let them know.”
Reymond Freddo untangles a fishing line on the bank of Lake Arthur Saturday, Aug. 1, during the Moraine State Park Regatta. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Emma Dann, right, plays a hula hoop toss game during the Moraine State Park Regatta Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Paddleboarders enjoy Lake Arthur during the Moraine State Park Regatta Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Kevin McCarthy with Highway Moon performs during the Moraine State Park Regatta Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Meagan Dann plays a hula hoop toss game during the Moraine State Park Regatta, Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Attendees visit rows of food trucks and vendors during the Moraine State Park Regatta Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Attendees of the Moraine State Park Regatta go fishing along the shore of Lake Arthur with fishing rods provided by the Sea Scouts Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Boaters sail Lake Arthur during the Moraine State Park Regatta Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Tyler Staniszewski, right, plays a tug-of-war game during the Moraine State Park Regatta Saturday, Aug. 1. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Jack "the Hat" McConnell attends the car cruise Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Moraine State Park Regatta, wearing his signature hat. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Olivia Rova tries out fishing on the bank of Lake Arthur during the Moraine State Park Regatta, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Attendees of the Moraine State Park Regatta visit a mini museum set up by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Children participate in an activity to make fizzy rockets at the Kamin Science Center's table during the Moraine State Park Regatta, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Jim Young, right, discusses the restoration of his truck with TJ Boyd, center, and Anna Timko during the Moraine State Park Regatta's car show, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
Attendees of the Moraine State Park Regatta go fishing along the shore of Lake Arthur with fishing rods provided by the Sea Scouts, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
Matthew Brown
