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Culver Lakefest is an end-to-end community enterprise
Screenwriter / Jeff Kenney
Photograph provided
The‘a lot of “news » surrounding this year‘s Culver Lakefest, and event organizers are happy to report that it’s all good.
First, the nearly 40-year-old event will return to its long-running schedule of the third weekend in July (this year‘from 15 to 17), after a brief stint last year on the weekend of July 4.
Second, the theme of the event this year is “Art is in the Air,” which celebrates the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the unique Culver-Lake Maxinkuckee community through pop-up artists (festival organizers are looking for other artists to add to the list, for anyone interested), of the Murals and Suite.
Third, event organizers are working to improve and energize community participation and collaboration — a throwback to earlier models as well as a dynamic new approach, according to Lakefest President Andrea Canacci. This involvement includes local nonprofits, community school organizations and teams, and more.
For example, the Culver Community Schools Bass Fishing Club is spearheading the return of the bass fishing tournament as part of the festival. The Culver Community High School (CCHS) football team helps with garbage and waste management in exchange for a donation to their program. The CCHS basketball team runs the basketball tournament, another fundraiser, and the school as well‘The team’s volleyball team helps support its program through the “Uber Golf Cart,” which transports festival-goers from various locations across the city to the festival venue at Culver City Park.
Canacci notes that these efforts are part of a new event mission statement and goals generated by the festival committee.
The statement reads as follows: “The Culver Lakefest team is an all-volunteer, nonprofit group committed to giving back to the Culver community by raising funds to plan and host a weekend of family-friendly activities and entertainment, and providing opportunities for groups communities, civic organizations and businesses to raise funds to help them achieve their goals.
These objectives include:
• Engagement with more clubs, teams, organizations and businesses during the Lakefest weekend;
• Expanded youth-related programming, events and engagement;
• Offers new activities such as a pickleball tournament, street performers and a movie night;
• Continuation of favorites such as family games, the Miss Max Contest and of course the fireworks;
• Bring back old favorites like the Bass Fishing Tournament, Canoe, Kayak and Paddleboard Race and Free Throw Contest.
This year‘The event will also return the beloved fireworks over Lake Maxinkuckee to its original launch location near the center of the lake (Canacci notes that the Culver Chamber of Commerce fireworks are a separate event of the Lakefest, in case of confusion).
Canacci also explains that more than half of Lakefest funds help provide and develop family events and entertainment.
“In addition to grants from organizations such as the Marshall County Community Foundation and Visit Marshall County, the bulk of our fundraising comes from dedicated Culver residents, visitors and businesses,” she says.
Donations from individuals and organizations, she points out, will not only help support Culver Community Schools groups like those mentioned above, but will also help provide proper safety and security requirements, bathrooms and other services. “Not glamorous, but essential,” says Canacci.
Those wishing to donate can send cash or a check to Culver Lake Fest, PO Box 146, Culver, IN 46511, or contribute via PayPal @culverlakefest2022. Messages can also be sent to the committee via the Lakefest Facebook page (facebook.com/culverlakefest), by email at culverlakefestival@gmail.com or by phone at 216-280-5065.
The festival website at culverlakefestival.com also includes donor forms, the schedule of events and detailed information, including how to register to participate in the car show, parade, fun run or contest. Miss Maxinkuckee.
Besides sponsors and donations at all levels, the festival committee is also looking for volunteers.
“Whether you can lead and plan an event or two, or just help out for a few hours during the event, we welcome you,” says Canacci. “Being a small town festival, there are so many opportunities for each of us to really uplift the community.
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