With winter finally over, Kosciusko County residents can finally begin looking forward to summer events including the Lakes Festival. The Northern Indiana Lakes Festival is the region’s largest lake education event. The official website at www.lakesfestival.org is being updated daily as we approach the June 6-15 festival dates.

There are many events you can register for now including Run for Others 5K,  the Warsaw Aqua Mile Swim Race, Water Waddle Kid’s 1-Mile Fun Run or volunteering at the festival which will get you a free t-shirt. The new Rain Garden Workshop will offer participants a chance to win one of three rain garden kits valued at over $100 and the new Rain Barrel Workshop will allow participants the chance to win the rain barrel constructed during the presentation.

The Run for Other 5K, which is being hosted by MudLOVE, will be held on Sunday, June 15. The race will begin at 4 p.m. on Canal Street beside the Trail House. Pre-registration is due on or before Friday, May 30, and will be $20. Registration after Saturday, May 31, will be $28. Registration and packet pick-up will be from 2:30 p.m. to 3:41 p.m. on the day of the race. All proceeds will benefit Water for Good’s Love Now initiative. For further information on the race, prizes or to register, click here. 

The Warsaw Aqua Mile will be held on Saturday, June 14, in Central Park in Warsaw. To be eligible for the race, swimmers must be 11-years-old or older on the date of the event. This swim is “not for the uninitiated”. Swimmers are encouraged to train for the event and to “bring guts for the glory”. If a swimmer is unable to swim a mile in a pool in under 45 minutes comfortably they are discouraged to attempt this 1 hour timed event. Trophies will be up for grabs. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will close at 9:15 a.m. on race day. The event will begin at 10 a.m. with a 60 minute cutoff. Water temperatures will be between approximately 68-72 degrees. Cost is $35 for both adults and juniors. Those who do not pre-register are not guaranteed a medal or t-shirt. For further information or to register, click here. 

The Water Waddle 1-Miles Fun Run/Walk will also take place Saturday, June 14. Registration at the event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with check-in beginning at 12:15 a.m. The race will begin at 12:30 a.m. The race welcomes toddlers walking with an adult to those 14 years old and will be held at the Municipal Park located at 117 E. Canal St., Warsaw. Entry is free and the first 50 to pre-register by mail or at the YMCA by Wednesday, May 28, will receive a complementary t-shirt. Each participant will receive a participating medal and the top three finishers int he boy and girl divisions will receive a trophy. To view a printable entry form to mail in, click here.

The Lakes Festival is made possible by several generous sponsors. For a full list, click here.