Pirate Days prepares to take over Portage Lakes
7/12/2012 - South Side Leader
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| Sailboats are shown turning at the buoy on Turkeyfoot Lake during last year’s Pirate Days regatta sponsored by the South Shore Yacht Club. This year’s regatta will take place July 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Photos: Lew Stamp |
Most activities are free, but some have a fee. Activities will include boat tours, treasure hunts, disc golf tournaments, a demonstration of dock dogs, a sailboat regatta, dragon boat rides and more.
The schedule includes:
• July 20:
√ 7 to 9 p.m.: Pontoon boat tours of the Portage Lakes will offer a relaxing ride on a pirate festooned pontoon boat, views of lakeside homes and other attractions. Reservations are required and cost $20 per person. Tours leave from the Old State Park. To make a reservation or for more details, contact Larry Hunter at 330-644-1540.
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| Bonnie Smith looked the part of a pirate while helping at the registration table during last year’s Pirate Days event. |
√ At 9 a.m., a Chain Shot Disc Golf Tournament will take place at the Portage Lakes State Park disc golf course. A $5 registration fee is required to play the 18-hole course, and the top three players will win prizes. For details, visit www.pldga.com.
√ From 9 a.m. to noon, Buckeye Dock Dogs will give a presentation at the boat ramp.
√ From 1 to 3 p.m., the PNC Bank Kids Treasure Hunt will be offered, with children invited to dress as pirates and dig for buried treasure, create their own pirate hat and walk the plank before sailing a boat out to the Secret Treasure Island. Participants should be prepared to get wet and battle the pirates on the island.
√ At 5:30 p.m., the Kiwanis will host a Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction at Prime 93, located at 4315 Manchester Road. Visitors are asked to dress like a pirate for a costume contest, take part in a Reverse Raffle, Silent Auction and Chinese Auction, and enjoy grog and grub while listening to live music of the 1950s and ’60s. Tickets are $35 for grub or $100 for food and the raffle. A table of eight is $345. For tickets, contact Esther Cole at 330-414-7021 or ercole275@att.net.
√ At 9:30 p.m., at the park, a Night Sky Spectacular, sponsored by the Akron Astronomy Club, will offer information on legendary astronomers and views of the night sky through high-powered telescopes.
• July 22:
√ From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Poker Run on the Lakes, sponsored by Portage Lakes Kiwanis, will take place, with all proceeds donated to the Portage Lakes Fireworks Fund. The starting point is the Upper Deck. There will be five checkpoints throughout the lakes to draw cards from, or participants can draw all five cards from the Upper Deck. No boat is required. There will be a $500 prize awarded for best hand, plus prizes for Best Decorated Boat. Preregistration costs $25 per entry, with unlimited entries per boat. Registration also will be available on the day of the event at the Upper Deck.
√ From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Sailboat Regatta on Turkeyfoot Lake will be run, with views of the event available from the Tudor House. The regatta includes a race to win the Mayor’s Cup or Best Overall awards. Afterward, lunch will be served at the Tudor House from 2 to 4 p.m. for $5 per person.
√ From 1 to 3 p.m. at the swim beach, the Dragon Dream Team, comprised of breast cancer survivors, will offer free rides aboard pink 40-foot boats to Pirate Island.
Also planned during Pirate Days are complimentary vessel safety checks sponsored by the Akron Power Squadron July 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the boat ramp in the park.
A children’s life-jacket exchange also will be offered July 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the boat ramp and July 21-22 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the swim beach. Sponsored by Safe Kids Summit County/Akron Children’s Hospital, it offers parents an opportunity to exchange worn or ill-fitting jackets or other flotation devices for children ages 14 and younger for proper-fitting ones, while supplies last. Children are required to be present for fittings. A monetary donation will be accepted.
The Akron Power Squadron also will offer trailering safety checks July 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Kiwanis Civic Center, 68 Portage Lakes Drive in Coventry.
For more information on events, call 330-644-8967 or visit www.plkiwanis.org.
Portage Lakes Kiwanis reserves the right to cancel the event if there is a lack of participation. All participants who preregistered will receive a full refund, according to Kiwanis officials.
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