August 03, 2023| Events, Fundraising, Recreation
By: Caitlin Doran
The Lake Hopatcong Foundation organizes three big special events annually and offers plenty of opportunities to celebrate our lake in between - in the form of community programs, a native plant sale, eco-cruises, hikes, paddles, and more.
With May’s Block Party and July’s Gala and Auction now in the rearview, the special event trifecta is coming to a close quickly with its final installment on Sunday, October 1. That’s right – it’s Lake Loop time! This is your chance to have fun, raise funds, and shine a light on Lake Hopatcong as an important recreational resource. The Lake Loop has something for everyone. Participants are invited to choose a single challenge from the following menu of activities:
Ride!
A 20-, 40-, or 62-mile bike ride: whichever distance you choose, each ride offers great views and challenging hill climbs. Rest stops sponsored by Cycle Craft will keep you powered and hydrated throughout your ride.
Run/Walk!
A 5K trail run: this is a unique course that takes you through the wooded trails and over the sandy beach at Hopatcong State Park. Runners and walkers are welcome. Come enjoy a day in nature!
Paddle!
A 2.5-mile paddle: we have a marked course for you with volunteers on hand to ensure a safe and enjoyable paddle out toward Bertrand Island and back to the beach at Hopatcong State Park. Don’t have your own boat? Reserve one at registration courtesy of Ramsey Outdoor! Kayaks, canoes, and SUPs are welcome!
Let’s party!
Post-activity, we’ll all come together to enjoy music, lunch, and refreshments at the State Park pavilion, courtesy of presenting sponsor Live the Lake NJ. Food and refreshments come free with your registration and are available for purchase for friends and family who would like to meet you at the finish line.
Wanna help us raise additional funds for our lake? There’s nothin’ to it, and you could win PRIZES!
Be like Elena, who won a Margaritaville bicycle, or Regina, who won the bike-run-paddle dream package, or Team Saint Clare’s Health who won a Lake Hopatcong cruise: all for being our top 2022 fundraisers!
There’s no legwork when it comes to getting your fundraising page going (save the legwork for the event)! When you register, your own personal fundraising page is automatically created and emailed to you, with the option to form or join a team. Share the links to your personal and/or team fundraising pages widely: with your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, knitting club, softball team - anyone and everyone who will support your run/ride/paddle. You can see how your fundraising stacks up to other Lake Loopers at any time on lakeloop.org (just click the "fundraising" button!). Fundraising is not a requirement to participate, but the rewards for doing so are pretty sweet!
Sponsorship opportunities!
There are still opportunities to support our efforts to protect and improve Lake Hopatcong and receive all the benefits of becoming a Lake Loop sponsor. See all the opportunities here!
More information – including final fundraising prize announcements and cue sheets– is being added every week. So, punch that registration button and keep it tuned to lakeloop.org for all the details! Questions about participating in or sponsoring the Lake Loop? Call Caitlin at 973-663-2500 or email her at Caitlin@lakehopatcongfoundation.org.
