The Regatta at Lake Arthur

The Regatta at Lake Arthur is an annual 2 day event staged in the Pleasant Valley Beach area on Moraine State Park's South Shore each August. In the words of its Mission Statement, the Regatta “…promotes Moraine State Park and Butler County as a recreational destination for both tourists and residents by being the premier eco-tourism event of the region…” Now going into its thirteenth year, it may fairly be said to have lived up to that vision.

One of the primary goals of the Regatta is to increase awareness of, and to encourage greater participation in, the great variety of outdoor recreational opportunities available not only at Moraine State Park, but all over Western Pennsylvania generally. In particular, those activities are stressed which may be characterized as “low impact” from an environmental standpoint - essentially “people-powered” recreation as it were.

To that end, most of the events featured are participatory in nature. Visitors are invited to take part themselves, try their hand at some of these activities under the friendly and knowledgeable guidance of a host of experienced outdoor folks. Hiking, bicycling on the paved bike trail, paddling canoes and kayaks, and disc golf are just some of these activities.

In addition, the Regatta introduces people to some of the many clubs and organizations which exist to help foster and promote such activities, as well as those which help preserve and protect our regional waterways, wild areas, and green spaces. Each year a number of such groups are present on-site, with information on how people can get out there and get involved in a variety of ways.

At the Moraine Marketplace, the Regatta features a large collection of area craft vendors, along with a number of “business “ vendors. Among these are area businesses which in some cases cater to the outdoor recreational market with gear and the like, or which are involved with products and services that help the average family increase their environmental awareness and make their own contribution to reducing, re-using, and lowering their impact on the environment generally. A number of local food vendors are always there in the mix too to keep everyone fed and watered with a variety of Summertime Festival Fare.

There’s plenty of activities for the kids too. Children’s Craft Clinics run both days, at which kids (and their parents) can assemble an assortment of small wooden items in kit form. Races and games on the Swimming Beach. “Coastie” - the talking motorized Coast Guard Cutter - is always on hand too.

Add in some live entertainment, a Car Cruise, and Fireworks over the lake on Saturday night, and you have a weekend event that’s “Naturally Fun”.

The Regatta at Lake Arthur is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization and is a 100% volunteer effort, utilizing the time and talents of well over 200 dedicated volunteers to plan, organize, and conduct the event. There is no admission charge, and all of the Regatta’s events are free.  Donations are appreciated.