Lake Festival splashes down in Celina

CELINA - Sure, the Celina Lake Festival focuses on having a good time.

But after 47 years in the Celina community, the three-day event has taken on additional meaning for past and present residents, said festival co-chair Michelle Emerine.

"This is a homecoming for these people," she said. "As the festival gets closer, you start to see the chairs going out on people's lawns. It draws a lot of people back to their hometown. I think they come back home for this weekend to get together with their families and friends."

The festival has maintained a pretty steady schedule over the past several years, Emerine said. Several staple events stay on the roster through consistent popularity: among these is the Amphicar "swim-in" on Friday in which dozens of the land-to-water vehicles drive straight into the lake. This year's swim-in will feature 35 of the cars taking the plunge, Emerine said.

"It draws a big crowd to the lake," she said. "People like to watch the cars go in. Some might even get splashed if they're standing close."

Other highlights on Friday include a cruise-in, craft show and fireworks, which will begin at 10 p.m. on the lake by North Shore Park.

Emerine said Saturday's annual parade is also a festival favorite. This year's parade should be one of the biggest, with more than 160 entries scheduled. The parade route will progress west on Market, north on Main Street, east on Johnson Avenue and finish near the junior and senior high schools.

Saturday will also feature a little silliness at the cardboard duct tape boat race beginning at 2 p.m. (registration starts at 1 p.m.). Two-person teams will have only a small amount of time to construct a boat with only cardboard and duct tape, Emerine said, which they will then race to see who has the best boat. The winner will be featured in the parade.

The Lake Festival fills out with live musical entertainment today and Saturday and rides the whole weekend (wristbands to ride cost $15). Events will be happening both at the lake and uptown in the city, but visitors can catch a ride on a free trolley to and from either location.

Celina Lake Festival

WHEN: 9 a.m. to midnight today, 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: North Shore Park, downtown Celina

COST: Free admission, $15 for ride wristbands.

FOR MORE INFO: Call 419-586-0993 or visit www.lakefestival.com.

Today

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Sidewalk sales

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Craft show

Noon to 11 p.m.: Rides

6 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Cruise-in

7:45 p.m.: Amphicar "swim-in"

8 p.m.: Borrowed Time

10 p.m.: Fireworks

Saturday

8 a.m.: 5K run

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Boat poker run

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Sidewalk sales

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Craft show

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Car show

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lift-a-thon

Noon to 11 p.m.: Rides

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Cardboard duct tape boat race

6:30 p.m.: Grand parade

9 p.m. to midnight: MC Blues

Sunday

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Craft show

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Children's fishing derby

Noon to 4 p.m.: Rides

1 p.m.: Garden tractor pull

1 p.m.: Kiddie tractor pull