LAKE VIEW — The 69th Annual Black Hawk Lake Summer Water Carnival with a theme of “Soak up the Sun” takes place July 15 through 17. Designed with family fun in mind, the weekend is packed with activities for every age level.

The event officially begins Friday evening with the McDermott Midway opening at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Kiddie Parade at 7 p.m. Held between the Stone Piers on the sidewalk near the shoreline of Black Hawk Lake, this special parade is for the youngest of attendees, and participants are judged in a variety of categories including costumes, bikes and trikes, floats and best group. Local food stands, the Beverage Garden and Bingo also open for business at 6:30 p.m. with the Tank Anthony Band, providing music in the Beverage Garden. Bingo will be offered each day of the carnival with Blackout Bingo taking place at the top of every hour that the stand is open. The prize for Blackout Bingo is $100. A hit the past few years, “Open Mic” karaoke takes place on the stage near the West Stone Pier at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks show will take place Friday night after dark.

July 16 goes from dawn to dusk beginning with Yoga at the West Stone Pier at 7 a.m. then the Belgian Waffle Feed at 7:30 a.m. The day is filled with something for everyone, including Art in the Park beginning at 7:30 a.m.; a 5K Road Race/Walk that starts at 8 a.m. near the West Stone Pier; tours of the high school from 9 to 11 a.m., the traditional Street Parade at 1 p.m., a Bags Tournament in the Beverage Garden at 2:30 p.m.; Pedal Tractor Pull for the little ones immediately following the parade; and Cardboard Boat Races in Town Bay at 4 p.m. Special entertainment on the West Stone Pier Saturday night will be a hypnotist from Wand Enterprises at 6:30 p.m. There will be a DJ providing music in the Beverage Garden Saturday evening as well. The day ends with the Parade of Water Floats at dark. A long-standing Black Hawk Lake tradition, the parade consists of boats pulling decorated, lighted pontoons.

July 17 is the final day of the summer celebration. The morning begins with an Ecumenical Church Service on the West Stone Pier at 9:30 a.m. The annual Mud Volleyball Tournament begins at 11 a.m., and at noon, the Midway opens along with Art in the Park, BINGO, the Beverage Garden, and food stands. At 4:30 p.m. the Little Miss Black Hawk Pageant takes place on the stage near the West Stone Pier. A tradition since 1970, girls ages 5 to 8 dress up and compete for the coveted title of “Little Miss Black Hawk.” The annual Bill Riley Talent Show will provide entertainment at 6:30 p.m. with the traditional cash drawings for a total of $1,500 in prizes completing the three-day event.

Sponsored by several generous supporters, there is no charge to attend the Black Hawk Lake Summer Water Carnival. For more information on the weekend’s events, please visit the website at: lakeviewlifestyle.com or Lake View’s Facebook page.