Yo Ho, Yo Ho . . . Season ending with a lineup of fun events

Kambria Dalton was the winner of last year’s Little Mermaid Costume Contest. Photos by Donna Kupke

With most families now settled into their school routines, several end-of-summer events will provide a welcome opportunity to enjoy the lake before the season draws to an end.

First up is the Mermaid Festival tomorrow, August 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Indian Beach. This second annual event will include the Cardboard Boat Challenge, vendors, pirate ship battle, costume competitions, prizes, food vendors, children’s play area with crafts and jumpers, and, of course, the Mermaid Lounge, where one can pick up the Woman’s Club’s signature Mermaid Cocktail.

The Cardboard Boat Challenge will begin at 11:30 a.m. All ages are welcome to enter (see prizes and rules at the end of this article).

Children are invited to dress up for the Mini Mermaid Competition or the Mini Pirate Competition, both of which offer a prize of $25 donated by the Canyon Lake Woman’s Club.

For adults 17 and older there will be a Big Pirate Knobby Knees Competition (best dressed pirate). The $50 prize is sponsored by the Heart to Heart Foundation and hosted by Aprile McKinnon. Aprile is serving as the event’s master of ceremonies.

The Yacht Club is set to stage a Pirate Battle off shore from Indian Beach between famous buccaneers Captain Black Bob Templeton and Captain Long Shanks Chuck Lafferty.

In the kids’ area, the Family Matters Club will offer $5 wristbands, which comes with unlimited use of the jumpers/slide, game booths, prize table, crafts and tattoos.

Food vendors include Susie Q’s BBQ (specializing in tri-tip sandwiches, pulled pork and nachos) and Classic Tacos (specializing in homemade street tacos). The Woman’s Club will offer hot dogs and kid-friendly pirate and mermaid sack lunches  with a choice of PBJ sandwich or hotdog and a drink.

Here’s the schedule:

11:30 – Cardboard Boat Challenge

12:30 – Mini Mermaid Competition on the stage

1:00 – Pirate Battle off Indian Beach

2:00 – Mini Pirate Competition on the stage

3:30 – Big Pirate Knobbly Knees Competition on the stage

Maui Monday

Labor Day weekend is coming up next week and with it the ever-popular Maui Monday gathering at Sunset Beach on September 5. Festivities will take place from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by DJ Mike Shroyer, complete with music, contests and a kids zone. The Lighthouse Restaurant promises “a mouth-watering Hawaiian-themed menu.

The fun doesn’t end there. Once the sun goes down, everyone will be invited to gather on the beach to watch Polynesian dancers, Samoan drummers and fire dancers.

Fishing Derby, Paddle Regatta

The Fishing Derby was rescheduled to Saturday, September 10. See details about this event on Page A-6.

The Paddle and Pedal Regatta has been rescheduled to Sunday, September 25, at 11 a.m. at Indian Beach. Paddleboards, kayaks and pedal boats are invited to join up for a fun cruise from Indian Beach to the East Port launch ramp and back, followed by a barbecue lunch. A $5 donation is requested for lunch, with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and children’s cancer research at Rady Children’s Hospital. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish to share.

There will be paddleboard demonstrations and basic instruction for new paddlers, along with a prize drawing. Sup N Safari is providing rental boards with one-half price one-hour rental during the Regatta ($10). This event is hosted by the Fitness and Triathlon Club.

For more information about participating or volunteering, contact Karin Cassidy at 951-764-9503.

Cardboard Boat Challenge

Awards will be given as follows:

1st Place in Race: $100 – sponsored by GNC of Lake Elsinore

Best Dressed Pirate Vessel: $50 – sponsored by Jan May, Realtor

Best Dressed Mermaid Vessel: $50 – sponsored by Sue Collins, Realtor

Judges Choice: $50 – sponsored by Cal Ski

• Boats must be constructed of corrugated cardboard and duct tape. Other materials are not allowed.
• Boats cannot be longer than 21 feet.
• To qualify for 1st place, they must remain afloat with everyone inside for the full race.
• Propulsion must be by arms, hands and/or paddles only.
• Coast Guard-Approved personal flotation devices must be worn by all participants in the race.

For more information about the Mermaid Festival, contact Lyne Hall at 310-210-7366 or ly967hal@gmail.com.