October 01, 2021| Community, Events
By: Caitlin Doran
It’s finally here! Tomorrow from 10 am-4 pm, the much-anticipated Lake Hopatcong Block Party returns to Hopatcong State Park after a year-long hiatus. The event – now numbering over 150 vendors - celebrates all facets of Lake Hopatcong life by bringing visitors together with businesses, non-profit organizations, community groups, crafters, and food vendors for a community day like no other, featuring: activities, raffles, giveaways, a children’s scavenger hunt, and more.
The team has been working tirelessly since winter to bring this great event to life. Now, all we need is you!
Here are some of the highlights if you are thinking about joining us tomorrow:
Onsite parking at Hopatcong State Park is available on a first-come, first-served basis for a $10 donation to the Lake Hopatcong Foundation. This lot will be open no sooner than 9:45 am, so we can safely and efficiently complete setup of all vendors and activities. No space left at the State Park when you arrive? No problem! We’ve secured 7 nearby parking lots with complimentary shuttle service from all but one, The Barking Lot, which is walkable to the State Park and reserved for guests with dogs, as dogs are not permitted on the shuttles. This is also a good time to remind visitors that masks are required on the short shuttle ride, so please remember to bring your mask (we’ll have a limited supply on the shuttle for those who need one).
We’ll be holding a 50/50 cash raffle with all proceeds supporting the Lake Hopatcong Foundation’s mission to protect the environment and enhance the experience on New Jersey’s largest lake. With your ticket purchase, you can help the Foundation and possibly win some big money! The cost (cash only) is $10 for 10 tickets and $20 for 30 tickets. The drawing will be at 3 pm, and you need not be present to win! To purchase your ticket, stop by the 50/50 Raffle Booth at the Pavilion, or look for one of our roaming ticket sellers.
The total value of all Passport Adventure prizes is now over $2,400! You could possibly win: a Reverse Osmosis Purified Drinking Water System courtesy of Culligan, a Frog Falls Family Membership courtesy of Picatinny MWR, Nolan’s Point Experience Baskets courtesy of Live the Lake NJ, an Everything Fitness basket courtesy of Fitness Knocking, a Fire Pit filled with warming goodies courtesy Animal Care Centers, a Lake Hopatcong Nautical Chart Fleece Blanket courtesy Fox Architectural Design, or a basket with SOLitude Branded lunch cooler, battery pack, and SOLitude SWAG. To get in the running to win these prizes, guests should visit the Passport Adventure booth (pavilion) and pick up a passport (one per household). They will then visit a combination of required and optional stops at participating sponsor booths to have their passport stamped. Once complete, passports should be turned into the Passport Adventure booth by 3:15 pm. Winners will be announced at 3:30 pm. You need not be present to win!
Children 12 years and younger are invited to participate in our children’s scavenger hunt. Participants who complete the scavenger hunt will receive a voucher for a free Skyscraper cone at Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream! The scavenger hunt includes hands-on learning opportunities throughout the Block Party. Cards will be picked up/turned in at the Children’s Activity Area in Zone B.
Lake Hopatcong's own Miss Lotta will be embarking on five FREE cruises throughout the day, courtesy of Lake Hopatcong Cruises! Cruises will depart at 10:30 am, 11 am, 11:30 am, 12 pm, and 12:30 pm. Tickets will be available in Zone A (booth closest to the boat ramp), They will be released 25 minutes before each cruise on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also purchase tickets for a special $20 Block Party Cruise scheduled for 1 pm. This hour-long cruise around Lake Hopatcong will include a full-service cash bar. Food is not provided on this cruise; however, guests are welcome to come aboard with food purchased from the vendors at the Block Party. Tickets will be available in Zone A and you can also purchase advance tickets for this special cruise.
Learn about the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and Lake Hopatcong Speaks Out
Come visit Kyle and Donna at the Lake Hopatcong Foundation booth and learn about the Foundation's programs and initiatives fostering a vibrant and healthy Lake Hopatcong. Joining Kyle and Donna tomorrow is Dorothy Sabarese, author of Lake Hopatcong Speaks Out, a children’s book about keeping Lake Hopatcong clean and healthy. Books will be available for purchase, and for those who have already purchased a book, Dorothy is offering to sign your copy!
To facilitate a safer environment, hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event. In addition, the food court will have added space between tables and sanitizing wipes will be provided. As a reminder, the CDC recommends masks in all public indoor spaces and suggests considering masks in crowded settings. Finally, federal mask mandates require face masks on public transportation and masks will be required to ride on all event shuttles. Thank you for your help and cooperation to ensure a safe event!
These are just some of the highlights of the Block Party, more details are available on our Block Party page. I’ll end by giving a shoutout to our indefatigable volunteers and our generous sponsors, who made this Block Party dream come true!
