Block Party Aims to Unite Lake Hopatcong Communities

In an effort to unite the surrounding communities, the first Lake Hopatcong Block Party is planned for May.

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is organizing the inaugural event for Saturday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hopatcong State Park in Landing.

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation, which launched in 2012, aims to improve the state's largest lake "for everyone, now and in years to come."

"Within those efforts, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has worked to make the lake safer, to improve the health of the ecosystem, to bring lake education to local schools, to preserve the lake’s rich history, and to build the sense of community around the lake," according to a statement released by the foundation.

"That last item can be a challenge when the community is so split into multiple towns and counties. But by sponsoring a 'Shop Local Lake Hopatcong' promotion last July and then bringing together more than 400 volunteers to clean the lake’s shoreline this November, the foundation is making efforts to unite the broader lake community."

The Lake Hopatcong Block Party is a "natural extension of these efforts." The event will include lake demonstrations, booths for local organizations and businesses, live performances, a children’s area, food trucks, antique and collectible vendors, and more.

“We are excited to take a day to kick off the summer and celebrate all that Lake Hopatcong has to offer,” Lake Hopatcong Foundation President Jessica K. Murphy said. "People in different towns and different counties around the lake have a lot in common, and it will be nice to bring everyone together in one place."

Booth space remains available for local non-profit organizations, businesses, antique and craft vendors and food sales. Cost of booth space is $25 for nonprofits, $75 for local businesses, $125 for antique vendors and $75 for craft vendors (all 10-foot by 10-foot spaces), and $150 for local food vendors or $200 for non-local food vendors (20-foot by 10-foot spaces). Local vendors are those within the four towns that surround Lake Hopatcong. There are also several sponsorship opportunities.

There are also volunteer opportunities, suitable for teens and adults, for the day of the event.

"This promises to be a wonderful day to celebrate the Lake Hopatcong community," Murphy said. "But with so much activity and so many moving parts, we do need the help of enthusiastic volunteers to make sure everything runs like clockwork."

Those interested in being a part of the event, either as a sponsor, vendor or organization, or as a volunteer, can email blockparty@lakehopatcongfoundation.org or visit www.lakehopatcongfoundation.org.