Fun, family and friendly competition at the 95th Lake Scugog Regatta

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: The shores of Lake Scugog came alive this past weekend, as residents and visitors gathered to celebrate the 95th annual Lake Scugog Regatta, in Caesarea. It's a tradition which continues to bring together generations of families for fun, games, and friendly competition.

Held from August 1st to 3rd, the regatta offered a full slate of activities for all ages, beginning with a colourful costume parade for kids, on Saturday morning. Young participants marched through the community dressed as superheroes, animals, and characters from fairy tales, cheered on by proud parents and neighbours.

“It’s something we look forward to every summer,” said local parent Melissa Greene, whose three children participated in the parade. “They start planning their costumes weeks in advance. It’s just such a great way to kick off the weekend.”

Saturday’s festivities continued with: the ever-popular dog show which saw pups of all shapes and sizes strut their stuff, followed by an assortment of classic races, the three-legged race, the baby crawl, and the crowd-favourite watermelon eating contest.

“There’s a real small-town charm to it all,” said longtime Caesarea resident Bill Norton. “I remember doing the watermelon contest myself when I was a kid, now I’m watching my grandkids do the same. It’s special.”

Sunday morning began with a hearty pancake breakfast, hosted by the local firefighters, drawing early risers to the lakefront pavilion. From there, the action shifted to the water, with a well-attended fishing derby by anglers of all ages trying their skills along the docks and shoreline.

Afternoon events included: swimming races, kayak sprints, and even a championship sailboat race turning heads as boats caught the wind and skimmed across the lake’s calm surface.

“I’ve been coming to this regatta since I was little,” said 17-year-old Kayla Jensen, who competed in the kayak race. “It’s one of the best parts of summer. Win or lose, it’s about having fun and being part of the community.”

Organizers say they were thrilled with the turnout and grateful for the volunteers, who help keep the nearly century-old tradition alive.

“The regatta is part of the fabric of Caesarea,” said committee member Laura Robinson. “It brings people together in a way that not many things do anymore.” As the weekend drew to a close, with laughter echoing across the lake and tired kids clutching participation ribbons, one thing was clear: the spirit of the Lake Scugog Regatta is as strong as ever.