45th Annual Jaycees Labor Day Regatta
Festivities Kick-Off Friday Night
LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven Area Jaycees Labor Day Regatta is celebrating a big anniversary this year, its 45th annual event.
To celebrate that milestone, this year’s regatta will feature a first-ever event: The midway, arts and crafts stands and free musical entertainment on the Jaycees Stage will open this Friday night of Labor Day weekend from 6 to 10 pm.
“We were able to do it this year because the Grange Fair, which many of our vendors attend, ended early this year, so we decided to add an extra evening of entertainment, food and arts and crafts,” said acting treasurer DuWayne Kunes.
Local band Shot in the Dark will take to the Jaycees stage Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.
The free musical entertainment will include:
WSQV/WBPZ Day: Saturday, from noon to 10 p.m. with numerous area acts, including Greylines from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and The Urge from 8 to 10 pm.
Bear Bash 22: Sunday from noon to 10 p.m., featuring Ridin’ Shotgun, Biscuit Jam, Rural Route, Rocky Allen Band, Diva Du Jour, featuring Kyleigh Barner.
Free live music presented by The Lock Haven Area Jaycees Monday from noon to 9:15 p.m. Mason Dixon from noon to 2:30 pm, Snug from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and All Else Fails from 6 to 9:15 p.m.
The entertainment on Monday will conclude with the county’s largest fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Also, the Jaycees are proud to be able to bring Mr. T Balloon Creations all three days. Mr. T (Phil Taormina) has been wowing crowds for years with his balloon creations and he will be walking through the crowd making and giving out his creations to kids of all ages during the event.
In addition to the family-friendly fun on the Lock Haven side of the Susquehanna River, the Dunnstown Fire Company welcomes all to the Lockport side of the river, with many more vendors, and those 21 years of age and older for the Budweiser Beer Tent, open Friday through Sunday with all the public’s favorite Anheuser-Busch products.
Jaycee officials estimate that approximately 40,000 people are expected to attend the now four-day event, pumping approximately $1 million into the local economy through the hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts; gasoline stations; and other local businesses; and the various vendors at the event itself.
The festivities kick off at about 10 a.m. Saturday with opening ceremonies with Clinton County Economic Partnership Tourism Director Julie Brennan.
The boat races follow, scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday.
“The boat racers know and love Lock Haven and look forward to the action, both on and off the river, each year,” Kunes said.
In addition to the long-running C and J Class hydro and runaround boats, the American Power Boating Association is once again planning on bringing in two classes of alcohol boats, the Alcohol Pro Class 125 cc and 250 cc. The latter boats can get up to speeds of around 95 mph.
The annual C Class stock hydros Dash for Cash will run Sunday at around noon. That race will have a cash prize of at least $1,000 to the winner, depending on how many drivers donate at registration. The Dash for Cash will feature at least two dozen of the country’s best boat racers.
Those with personal watercrafts are reminded to keep them off the course while the races are going on. The limit for those on the river is the lower point of Boom Island.
If they go past that point, the races will be shut down and it will hold up the show,” said Kunes, who added that boaters will not be allowed go past the judging stand while the fireworks are being set off Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
Also, the city will close off City Beach during the races for the safety of the residents and the boaters. And, the city’s dike-levee walkway will be closed from the top of the amphitheatre on both sides to protect the public, in addition to the first three steps of the amphitheatre. Those in that area without proper credentials will be asked to move. Due to new insurance regulations, a 100-foot safety zone from the race course will be enforced.
Of course, the regatta midway featuring food, games, and rides from many local nonprofit organizations and vendors will be open all three days and nights from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Monday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The arts and crafts area will run in Canal Park from Water Street to Main Street.
“It’s a good family event,” Kunes said. “We have the midway, food, rides and games on this side, along with the arts and crafts displays in Canal Park. And for those adults who like to indulge, there will be the beer tent with Dunnstown with Anheuser-Bush products. They’re excited about that and were excited.
“The rides, the food, the boats… Why would you not want to come down?”
To make room to prepare the midway for the weekend, Water Street from Jay to Washington streets will be closed beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. Jaycee members remind residents in that area to move their cars before the road is officially shut down. Cars left on the roadway will be towed. Motorists are encouraged to please observe the road closing as many volunteers will be on the street setting up and tearing down the event and any vehicle passing through creates an imminent danger to the workers.
This is the Jaycees largest fundraiser of the year and is one of the bigger Jaycee events in the state and nation. The organization is planning on seeing many state officials on hand during the weekend.
All the money raised will be funneled back into the community through various activities and donations throughout the year.
“This helps keep us afloat for the year,” said Kunes. “All of the activities and events that we do for the community during the year are funded through this one event. So, we’d like to see everyone come out Labor Day Weekend to support us and the other venders and organizations here and celebrate the end of summer as only Lock Haven can, with the best boat racers, the best food, the best games, the best arts and crafts vendors, the best bands and the best fireworks in the region.”
On the web: www.lockhavenjaycees.com
