Each summer, the air around Bass Lake begins to buzz with festive anticipation. Neighbors start swapping stories. Children count down the days. By the last weekend in July, the shoreline comes alive with music, laughter and cherished traditions.
This year’s Bass Lake Festival returns July 25–27, promising another packed weekend of family-friendly fun, community pride and the kind of spirit that has grown over generations. “It’s deeply rooted in the people who live here,” says Tabitha Dillner, vice president of the festival board. “But everyone is welcome. We love seeing new faces discover what makes this place so special. The festival is about celebrating where we live and who we are.”
The tradition began in the 1970s, when local business owners joined forces to create summer events that would draw people to the lake and support hometown shops and eateries. By the 1980s, the festival had become a nonprofit, powered entirely by volunteers. Today, local businesses and organizations continue to play a central role, from school groups raising funds for prom to the historical society offering family activities during the event.
Food is not the main attraction—the spotlight is on experiences. “We’re more activity-driven,” Dillner explains. To avoid repetition among vendors and to encourage patrons to visit local restaurants, the festival limits food booths and ensures that each offers something unique. Some restaurants even bring their own food trucks to participate, while still welcoming guests to dine in as well.
Signature events include the classic car show, the Miss Bass Lake pageants and the annual fishing tournament affectionately known as the Blastic Blast. The Lions Club hosts a much-loved Sunday breakfast, while the beer garden features live music throughout the weekend. Children enjoy bounce houses, magic shows, an obstacle-course fun run and the ever-popular ice cream eating contest, where the fastest eater takes the crown.
One of the most anticipated events is the cardboard boat race. While there’s a children’s division, many boats are large enough to carry adults and are decorated with clever, often comical themes. Some teams even arrive in full costume. Boats are judged not only on speed but on creativity and determination. Spectators line the beach and the road, cheering as brave crews paddle across the lake—or sink trying. Dillner remembers a boy from an early race whose boat began to go under. “He just kept scooping out water and pushing forward,” she recalls. “He finished the race, and I never forgot him.” Years later, she learned the boy was Devon, the grandson of a neighbor. Now living in Germany, he still returns for the festival. “All that time I’d been telling the story,” Dillner says, “and now I know who he is.”
Stories like that are part of what makes the festival so meaningful. “You see children grow up here,” Dillner says. “One year they’re setting napkins on tables, then suddenly they’re running a 5K or competing in volleyball. It’s full circle.”
Another hands-on tradition is the “Cover Your Bass” decorating contest. Participants paint and embellish wooden fish and sailboats, which are then displayed throughout the area during festival weekend. The vibrant designs add charm and offer memorable photo opportunities.
Then there’s the quirky crowd-pleaser: the goat drop. A live goat is placed in a penned area marked with numbered squares. Participants guess where the goat will do its business. The lucky winner receives a prize, and proceeds help fund the fireworks display, which lights up the sky on Saturday night.
Behind the scenes, the entire community comes together. Local businesses donate funds, sponsor entertainment, host musicians and share equipment or space. “Some help with street safety, others store the fireworks barges,” Dillner says. “We rely on that generosity.”
Planning begins in January and intensifies as summer nears. “Many of our board members are part-time residents,” Dillner explains. “We make it work through texts and calls until we can meet in person.”
Festival merchandise is sold at all the Bass Lake businesses. Items are also available on-site during the weekend. This year’s T-shirt was designed by the committee, though in some past years, the design has been chosen through a public vote. Proceeds from merchandise help cover festival costs, including the Saturday night fireworks display and the Sunday parade, which brings the weekend to a close.
Vendor spots at the Bass Lake Market are limited and thoughtfully curated. Only handmade or homegrown items are accepted. Vendors keep 100% of their sales after paying a single application fee. Food vendors are carefully chosen to avoid repeating similar offerings. Booths are spaced out to prevent clustering and to help guide visitors toward nearby restaurants.
Each volunteer hopes festivalgoers walk away with more than a souvenir. “We want people to take home a memory,” Dillner says. “A tie to this lake. A tradition they’ll want to return to, year after year.”
That’s the heart of the Bass Lake Festival—something remembered, something passed on, something renewed each summer. “Our hope,” Dillner adds, “is that today’s children are the ones running it tomorrow.”
For updates, vendor applications or to get involved, visit basslakefest.com or follow @BassLakeFestival on Facebook.
