SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club celebrated its 22nd annual “Day in Paradise” on Saturday, July 18, at Tahoe Paradise Park in Meyers. By all accounts, the event was a great success! Visitors who attended the event enjoyed the craft vendors, games, entertainment, raffles, custom cars, silent auction, and of course, most important of all, the Duck Races!
Headlining the entertainment this year were local youth dance groups from The Studio and Ballet Folklorico. Throughout the day, the Gigabite competition robotics team entertained the crowds by demonstrating the capabilities of their robot. One other guest was Taiko Tsurunokai Drum Group from Reno. The highlight of the day was local magician Alex Ramon, who amazed the audience with his magic. More than one person kept saying…”How did he do that?”
The Duck Races were the featured event of the day. Duck entrants competed in several categories: Small Duck, Business Duck and Best of Show. The winning entries were awarded prize money.
The winners were:
- Small Ducks- 1st Jack Groen and 2nd Barry Hogan;
- Business Ducks- 1st Fire and Ice (donation made to Boys and Girls Club);
- Best of Show- Western Nevada Supply;
- Best Dressed- 1st Mountain Valley Supply, 2nd Simply Tahoe, 3rd Langenfeld Ace Hardware;
- Honorable Mention- Herbeck Engineering, Tahoe Tastings, and Boys and Girls Club.
The annual event is a major fundraiser for the local Optimist Club. Funds from the event will be used to support various local youth charities, teacher/youth oriented projects, field trips, and scholarships. During the past year, the club spent more than $43,000 on youth. The motto of the Optimist Club is “Friend of Youth.” Our club is always looking for new members to support youth, so ”Get Involved!”
For more information, please check out our website https://southlaketahoeoptimist
-Larry Lambdin, Optimist Club