There will be something for everyone at the annual DeFuniak Springs Lakefest May 17 – 18, 2024. LakeFest is an annual festival in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, celebrating safe, recreational activities for the entire family on the water and banks of beautiful Lake DeFuniak. The 2024 event is comprised of a fish fry, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, toy duck hunts, hilarious cardboard boat races, and the thrill of watching hydro-flight athletes performing for the crowds. There will be live entertainment, waterslides, a dunking booth, and many other activities in the kids zone, a variety of food and merchandise vendors, educational vendors, exhibits, and the 2024 LakeFest Car Show “Under the Oaks” sponsored by Krewe de Yak.
The 2024 program will include overnight primitive camping for those who sign up in advance for an event or who are vendors, sponsors, and educational booth hosts. Personal paddle crafts are welcome. Paddle crafts will need to be unloaded and the vehicle removed from the Lakeyard by 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Canoes and kayaks will be available to rent. The fee is $10.00 per 1/2 hour. A hold harmless form must be signed by the renter. All Lucky Ducks on the water must be turned in at the canoe and kayak rental booth. Only one duck per person. All winners must be present to win and winners will be announced at the amphitheater at 2:15 p.m. after the car show winning results.
For more information go to: https://www.defuniaksprings.net/1101/LakeFest
Schedule:
Friday, May 17th, 2024
11:00 a.m. – V.F.W. Post 4437 LAKEFEST FISH FRY- Fish, fries, beans, coleslaw, and hushpuppies – $12.00
12:00 p.m. – Primitive tent camping – set-up begins – Circle Drive
3:00 p.m. Vendor Setup Begins – Vendors can set up between 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
** 7th Street to Live Oak Road – CLOSED between 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. **
5:00 p.m. Food vendors open, disc golf opens
5:30 p.m. Live entertainment
9:00 p.m. LakeFest concludes until Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, May 18th, 2024
** ROAD CLOSURE starts at 6 a.m. ALL of Circle Drive and West to 7th Street **
7:00 a.m. Artists/Vendor Market check-in, Live Oak Avenue and Circle Drive
8:00 a.m. Check-in for the LakeFest Car Show and the Tractor Show – 7th Street and Circle Drive
8:00 a.m. Farmers Market- Baldwin Avenue between 7th Street & 8th Street
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – The DeFuniak Springs Garden Club will be hosting a plant sale at 3 Circle Drive next to the Library. Great prices and varieties of Florida-friendly species, unique plants, floral arrangements, and baskets.
9:00 a.m. Events & activities area:
Opening ceremony – Amphitheater Stage
Welcome and Invocation – Mayor Bob Campbell
Present the Colors – Walton High School Air Force Junior ROTC
Post the Colors – Walton High School Air Force Junior ROTC
Pledge of the Allegiance
National Anthem – Andy Avery
Introduction of 2024 LakeFest Queens
Introduction of 2024 DeFuniak Springs Queens
Introduction of 2024 Walton County Queens
LakeFest Officially Opens
Cardboard Boat registration begins
Tractor show opens
Disc Golf Opens
9:30 a.m. – Live Entertainment – Crews Wright – Amphitheater Stage
10:00 a.m. – Events & Activities by area:
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Walton County Heritage Museum, Circle Drive
Caboose opens for tours, Circle Drive, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lucky duck hunt for children – At the Walton County Heritage Museum
LakeFest Car Show and Public Voting (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
Circle Drive, Under the Oaks at Chipley Park near the amphitheater
Lucky Duck Hunt on the Water – Lake DeFuniak – 1 duck per person- turn in duck at kayak & canoe rental tent behind amphitheater -winners will be announced at 2:15 p.m. on the amphitheater stage after the car show results.
10:30 a.m. – Cardboard boat registration ends
12:00 p.m. – Cardboard Boat Competition Begins, Circle Drive, Lake DeFuniak
1:30 p.m. – Early Lineup – Parade Early Lineup can begin (turn on Bruce Avenue and follow signs)
3:00 p.m. – LakeFest Parade – Circle Drive, clockwise direction beginning at Hubbard Street
Narrated by Andy Avery
3:30 p.m. – Live Entertainment