By Madeline Otten
Correspondent
Sunshine, ice cream and the beach all have something in common, and that something means one thing – summer is finally here. With activities, restaurants, and stores slowly returning to the way things were before the pandemic, summer activities throughout the county are not holding back to ensure a fun-filled season.
To kick start summer, the Lake Monticello pool opened on May 29 with a couple of changes. The first is, that as of May 20, the pool is operating under normal conditions for the 2021 season with no restrictions. In addition to this change, the Lake is requiring membership cards to have photo identification. Members are to upload photos to their profile and their dependents profile if applicable. Hours for lap swim at 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and open swim at 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. will remain the same, and the snack bar, Shark Tank, will be open on both the pool and beach sides. The season’s last day will be on Sept. 6.
For Father’s Day on June 19, the Young Residents and Families Committee is hosting “Donuts with Dad” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the main beach in Lake Monticello.
Fluvanna Parks and Recreation (FCPR) is also making sure the youth of Fluvanna County is occupied during the summer. The kayaking program for ages 7-13 will take place on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays throughout June, July, and August. It will be limited to 14 registrants per day and safety protocols will be in place. It also has two different starting locations for those of different skill levels: inside Lake Monticello at Beach 4 for learning the basics and the other at the Crofton boat launch for those who have kayaking skills. The program starts on June 21 and will finish on Aug. 6. Pre-registration is now open and required.
Another program hosted by FCPR is disc golf and a hiking program. This program is limited to 20 participants from ages 7 to 13. Those wanting to learn the basics of disc golf and hike the trails of Pleasant Grove are asked to bring water and a snack along with appropriate clothing and tennis or sport shoes. The hiking program will teach children to read the trail map, offers a tour of the Old Farm House and of exhibits in the nature room, and provides a visit to the Farm Heritage Museum. Disc golf will be held every Tuesday starting June 22 and the hiking program will be on every Thursday starting on June 24 until Aug. 5. For all programs hosted by the FCPR, it is encouraged to check their Facebook page for announcements regarding the programs.
Regarding Independence Day, this year will be different from last year’s 4th of July celebrations. Instead of hosting a virtual run, the Lake Monticello Owner’s Association (LMOA) is planning for a fantastic event-filled weekend starting on July 3 with a Stars & Stripes Forever Parade and then the return of the fireworks display over the Lake on July 4.
“We are planning a great community celebration for the Fourth of July,” said General Manger Steve Hurwitz. “Everyone missed this event during the summer of COVID-19 and residents are eager to get out this summer.”
The toughest part of the planning this year so far has been finding volunteers, so any organization with at least ten volunteers and reaching 20 hours of service can receive a free four-hour Ashlawn court or room rental. Organizations, businesses, and individuals who would like to volunteer could assist with kid and adult activities, a 5-K run, golf putting contest, horseshoe tournament, swim across the lake, and more.
As summer warms Fluvanna County and residents enjoy their planned vacations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still advises those who have not been vaccinated to continue to wear a mask and to practice social distancing. ully vaccinated people should continue to follow any applicable federal, state, and local, laws, rules, and regulations.
