Thousands Attend Return of Regatta and Lake Festival
Central New Yorkers picnicked, walked, played, and cheered along the shoreline Saturday as a summer rowing tradition returned to Onondaga Lake.
![01 “The lake is back. The lake is coming back faster than anyone predicted,” said New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo (second from right). “It’s a story of renewal and rebirth, and an optimism about that rebirth that nobody expected.”](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/01.jpg)
“The lake is back. The lake is coming back faster than anyone predicted,” said New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo (second from right). “It’s a story of renewal and rebirth, and an optimism about that rebirth that nobody expected.”
![02](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/02.jpg)
“Learning to row has given me a wonderful opportunity to experience Onondaga Lake,” said Joseph Torrillo, a first-time rower (left center), who participated in the corporate rowing competition organized by the Chargers Rowing Club. “It is encouraging to see the changes happening at Onondaga Lake.”
Right: Sixteen corporate-sponsored rowing teams competed for the Onondaga Cup. Anchor QEA won the title.
The Onondaga Cup and Lakefest included a full day of rowing, kayak, and paddleboard competitions. The morning kicked off with a canoe race between New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s team and the Central New York team with Onondaga County Executive Joanne Mahoney, among others. The festival also featured local artisans, live music, food, a 61-foot-tall rubber duck, a mermaid swim, and a kids’ zone with face painting and inflatables.
![03](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/03.jpg)
The event spotlighted the ongoing return of Onondaga Lake as a community asset. As the cleanup nears completion, the community’s spirit and hope for the future is evident as users experience a renewed Onondaga Lake.
![04](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/04.jpg)
Left: Laura and 2-year-old Evan Penn, of Liverpool, New York, enjoy the family-friendly festival.
Right: Seven-year-old twins Annalya and Isabella Hughes, of Marietta, New York, in the Onondaga Cup and Lakefest kids’ zone.
On the shores of Onondaga Lake and along the lake’s tributaries, Honeywell is improving 87 acres of wetlands and planting about 1.1 million plants, shrubs, and trees. To date, more than 50 acres of wetlands have been created or enhanced. More than 170 species of fish, birds, and other wildlife have already returned to restored habitat near the lake. Dredging was completed in 2014, a year ahead of schedule. Capping will be completed this year with shoreline plantings and habitat restoration continuing in spring 2017.
For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, visit www.lakecleanup.com.
View more photographs from the event.