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Peter Beckerman, center, a volunteer for the Moraine Sailing Club, watches as two boats owned by the club take off for rides at the Moraine State Park Regatta on Lake Arthur’s South Shore on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. The 250-member club came to the regatta to get folks interested in sailing.
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'Whole other world': Thousands flock to weekend regatta at Moraine State Park

Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette

'Whole other world': Thousands flock to weekend regatta at Moraine State Park

More than 28,000 people attended to enjoy Lake Arthur, food vendors and outdoor activities

More than 20 years after her last visit to Moraine State Park, Gee Schwalenstocker said she was pleasantly reminded on Sunday of how beautiful it is.

“I love the woods and the water. I could come out here with a picnic and stay all day,” said Ms. Schwalenstocker, 74, of Allison Park.

She was among thousands of people who made their way to Prospect, Butler County, this weekend to attend the 24th annual Moraine State Park Regatta. The regatta is an annual event held for the public to enjoy land and water recreation activities in an effort to promote the park and get more people to visit.

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“We want to show off the park,” said event director Amanda Becker of Valencia-based Appleseed Events. “It’s basically right in a lot of people’s backyard being a 45-minute drive from Pittsburgh.

“And it feels like you are in this whole other world when you’re out here.”

Image DescriptionLydia Barry, second from left, and Penni Laine, beside her, keep an eye on folks trying out hoola hoops from Sirkus Dayz at the Moraine State Park Regatta on Lake Arthur’s South Shore on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Lydia is a face painter from South Park who owns Lovely Lady Lydia Artistry and Penni is a performer for Sirkus Dayz of Butler. (Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette)

The free activities during the regatta included sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, archery, yoga, rock climbing and tae-kwon-do.

It has grown in popularity over 24 years to more than 28,000 attendees. This year’s attendance numbers also are expected to be in that ballpark, organizers said.

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Brian Taylor, the owner of Fairground Market in Prospect, has been a food vendor at the annual event since the first year.

“It has grown exponentially,” he said. “This event draws a lot of people here.

“The event used to be on the north shore of Moraine, which didn’t work out very well. Then they moved it to this side and it’s growing.”

Mr. Taylor sells typical carnival foods, including hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken wings and barbecue pork and beef.

His business, located about 3 miles from Moraine State Park, celebrated 40 years in June. He was one of 17 food vendors at the regatta this year; last year there were 19.

Image DescriptionJim Kusick, left, and his son Henry, 5, both of Cranberry, maneuver their way on a paddle board at the Moraine State Park Regatta on Lake Arthur’s South Shore on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette)

The 16,725-acre Moraine State Park celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2020.

George Hage, 64, of Beaver Falls, has fond memories of fishing with his father on Lake Arthur when he was growing up.

Later, he and his wife Judy, 69, would bring their children to the park. They only come about once a year now.

The regatta was a perfect excuse to go on Sunday.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Ms. Hage said. “We’re just going to walk around and watch the paddle boaters and hang out for a while.”

The highlight of Saturday’s event was a fireworks show on the south shore of Lake Arthur. Sunday’s grand finale was a butterfly release.

Tim Grant: tgrant@post-gazette.com 

First Published: August 7, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: August 7, 2023, 2:50 p.m.

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Peter Beckerman, center, a volunteer for the Moraine Sailing Club, watches as two boats owned by the club take off for rides at the Moraine State Park Regatta on Lake Arthur’s South Shore on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. The 250-member club came to the regatta to get folks interested in sailing.  (Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette)
Lydia Barry, second from left, and Penni Laine, beside her, keep an eye on folks trying out hoola hoops from Sirkus Dayz at the Moraine State Park Regatta on Lake Arthur’s South Shore on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Lydia is a face painter from South Park who owns Lovely Lady Lydia Artistry and Penni is a performer for Sirkus Dayz of Butler.  (Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette)
Jim Kusick, left, and his son Henry, 5, both of Cranberry, maneuver their way on a paddle board at the Moraine State Park Regatta on Lake Arthur’s South Shore on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.  (Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette)
Seven-year-old Clara Kusick of Cranberry Township struggles to turn her paddle board at the Moraine State Park Regatta on Lake Arthur’s South Shore on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. The boards were provided by Full Psych Adventure Team of Wexford.  (Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette)
Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette
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