Lake Day fun rolls out across Mohegan

The annual event was celebrated at six beaches on July 12

Hikers pass a pollinator-friendly native plant garden at a home along the trailway.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Randall Duggan, the trail maintainer who led the hike, and Laura Kosbar, who shared the history of the Tall Timbers site, address hikers at the trail kiosk.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Jasper shows off the smallest fish of the day, a tiny bluegill.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Tomas holds a 3.6-pound largemouth bass caught by his sister, Tereza—the first and biggest catch of the day.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Emmett holds the white bass he caught.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Patrick shows off his white bass

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Kids line up to swing at the pinata.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Kids at the Mohegan Highlands beach enjoy traditional summer games.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Kids at the Mohegan Highlands beach enjoy traditional summer games.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Joseph Merriam plays bagpipe while leading the parade into Lake Mohegan Park, with son Lawrence Merriam on drums.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Members of the Lake Mohegan Fire Department demonstrate their marine rescue boat during a water safety presentation.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Rick Lee of the Nature Awareness School, aka “Ranger Rick,” shows the crowd one of his snakes.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Community kids show posters they made about Lake Mohegan.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Steven Dillard leads an enthusiastic group in line dancing, Mohegan Lake style.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

The Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, originally founded by Pete Seeger, gets the crowd singing as the sun begins to set.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Seventy lanterns, with people's wishes written on the flower petals, are set afloat as darkness sets in.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Local documentarian Jon Scott Bennett introduces Episode 4 of his series on the Peekskill Riots, then stays after the outdoor screening on the handball court for a Q&A.

Photo courtesy of Ken Belfer

Posted Thursday, July 24, 2025 11:58 am

BY HALSTON MEDIA STAFF

The annual Lake Day celebration took place earlier this month across six beaches around Mohegan Lake. The festivities kicked off with a morning hike through Tall Timbers Park, followed by a fishing derby for kids at Mohegan Beach Park.

Lake Mohegan Improvement District President Ken Belfer said the festivities included something new this year, as the Lake Mohegan Fire Department showcased its marine rescue boat and spoke with attendees about water safety.

Events continued throughout the day with crafts at SOLE Beach, a bagpipe and drum parade at Lake Mohegan Park, children’s games at Mohegan Highlands Beach, and lawn games at Alpine Woods. At Amazon Beach Park, Rick Lee of the Nature Awareness School gave a thrilling—and, for some, frightening—wildlife presentation.

The day wrapped up at Mohegan Colony Beach, where kids presented posters, Steven Dillard led a crowd in lively line dances, and the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus had attendees singing folk songs in the spirit of Pete Seeger as the sun began to set.

At sunset, participants took part in a cherished tradition: writing wishes on Chinese floating lanterns and releasing them onto the lake.

The celebration ended on a reflective note, with filmmaker Jon Scott Bennett screening Episode 4 of his documentary series on the Peekskill Riots, followed by a Q&A.