Photos: Mohegan’s annual Lake Day leaves community hooked on fun

The serenity of the floating lantern experience was briefly interrupted by an unexpected fireworks display from another part of the lake, delaying the start of the movie as attendees gathered along the lakefront to watch the colorful show.

Mohegan’s annual Lake Day brought the community together Saturday, July 11, for a full day of activities celebrating “Lake Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness on our Nation's 250th Anniversary.”

Theo flashes a soft smile after catching a fish during Mohegan’s annual Lake Day.

James catches a fish.

C.J. takes first place in the fishing derby after catching five fish. He is flanked by his father, Carlton Connell, and Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman.

Kids’ games were held at Mohegan Highlands Beach, including a sponge race and water balloon toss.

Kids’ games were held at Mohegan Highlands Beach, including a sponge race and water balloon toss.

Lynn Briggs engages the audience at Mohegan Highlands with a storytime presentation about Yorktown’s Revolutionary War history, including the encampment of French troops under General Rochambeau and how the Town of Hanover was renamed Yorktown after the decisive battle in Yorktown, Virginia, led by George Washington and Rochambeau.

A tent display at Mohegan Lake Day highlighted the encampment of French troops under General Rochambeau and Yorktown’s Revolutionary War history.

Lynn Briggs presents on the encampment of French troops under General Rochambeau and how the Town of Hanover was renamed Yorktown after the decisive battle in Yorktown, Virginia, led by George Washington and Rochambeau.

Attendees enjoy swimming at Mohegan Highlands Beach during Lake Day. A water taxi transported guests between beaches and offered lake tours when time allowed.

The Mohegan Lake Improvement District, which sponsored the event, also shared information about the lake environment through a roving display of informational trifolds. Despite past blue-green algae blooms, the lake has maintained exceptional water quality on most days this summer.

Lake Day events at Lake Mohegan Park Beach began with a parade into the beach led by Katherine Jewell, followed by Joseph Merriam on bagpipes and Lawrence Merriam on drums.

Mohegan’s annual Lake Day brought the community together Saturday, July 11, for a full day of activities celebrating “Lake Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness on our Nation's 250th Anniversary.”

Mohegan’s annual Lake Day brought the community together Saturday, July 11, for a full day of activities celebrating “Lake Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness on our Nation's 250th Anniversary.”

Art on the Lake is an annual feature at Lake Mohegan Park, where local residents showcase their artwork, crafts and photography.

A traditional Thai dance performance entertains attendees at Lake Mohegan Park during Lake Day.

A traditional Thai dance performance entertains attendees at Lake Mohegan Park during Lake Day.

Mohegan’s annual Lake Day brought the community together Saturday, July 11, for a full day of activities celebrating “Lake Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness on our Nation's 250th Anniversary.”

A traditional Thai dance performance entertains attendees at Lake Mohegan Park during Lake Day.

Families enjoy Amazon Park Beach while participating in a scavenger hunt during Lake Day.

An old-time square and contra dance, led by local caller Liz Slade, gets attendees moving with music from guitar, banjo and fiddle players.

Violet and Theo present their poster to judges

Evening events at Mohegan Colony Beach began with an old-fashioned square and contra dance, followed by the judging of a kids’ poster contest based on the Lake Day theme, a sing-along performance by the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, decorating and launching Chinese floating lanterns, and a screening of Episode Five of the documentary series on the Peekskill Riots with a Q&A by local filmmaker Jon Scott Bennett.

Decorated lanterns

The serenity of the floating lantern experience was briefly interrupted by an unexpected fireworks display from another part of the lake, delaying the start of the movie as attendees gathered along the lakefront to watch the colorful show.