Sanford Lake Association Steps up to the Plate

The Great Lakes Beer Festival is pleased to announce that the Sanford Lake Association has been inserted into the starting lineup for Saturday’s Great Lakes Beer Festival at Dow Diamond.

The association will be conducting a golf cart raffle as part of its ongoing efforts to raise funds to help restore fish habitat on the lake.

Two representatives from the association will be on hand at the festival from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m, selling raffle tickets and talking to festival goers about the collaborative efforts involved in rebuilding Sanford Dam and the anticipated return of Sanford Lake in spring 2026.

“It’s super exciting,” said Sanford Lake Association Board Member Kristi Wolohan. “We are ready for the return of Sanford Lake. Having fish in the lake is important for everyone, not just fishermen. A healthy fish population speaks to the water quality.”

With the Four Lakes Task Force projecting  the Sanford Dam to be completed by December 2025, the Sanford Lake Association plans to continue raising funds for fish-friendly rock structures that need to be in place by the end of the year before lake refilling begins, noted Wolohan. The organization raised $1,000 at its August 1 Broomstick Bingo Night.

It has other events in the works and will also be selling fish-related merchandise as it ramps up efforts to raise funds to go towards creating a healthy fish habitat that will allow Sanford Lake to be restocked with a variety of species that anglers have historically sought there. These include perch, bluegill, walleye and bass, among other fish.

The golf cart the association is raffling off as part of its fish habitat project will be at the Great Lakes Beer Festival. Golfers will want to know it is a 2020 EZ Go Elite, factory refurbished cart with a lithium battery that comes with a 3-year warranty. It features a new charcoal metallic body, 20 inch tires and wheels, lights, blinkers, brake lights, new seat cushions, a long top, rear seat and mirrors. Tickets are $20 each or 3 tickets for $50. You don’t have to be present to win, and if for some reason you can’t make it to the beer festival at Dow Diamond, scan the QR at the bottom of this article to purchase your chance to win.

The drawing, Wolohan said, will occur at a concert scheduled for September 14 at Laporte Park, in Sanford.

“It’s fantastic to welcome our friends from the Sanford Lake Association to our 4th annual Great Lakes Beer Festival,” said Ed Fritz, festival director. “This volunteer organization has been doing all it can to support widespread efforts to bring Sanford Lake back to life better than ever. They deserve our support. We’re happy to do our part to help.”

Scan or click this QR code to buy raffle tickets virtually