Take the Lake weather should be dry Saturday

Diana Matthews of The News Reporter shares last minute Take the Lake updates...
Although Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to affect coastal weather increasingly over the next week, local meteorologist Christopher Cawley predicts mostly sunny weather for Saturday’s Take the Lake events. Saturday temperatures will warm up by afternoon, with the chance of thunderstorms only around 20-30 percent, he said, based on the best data available Wednesday.
Cawley predicts a 50 percent chance of “typical” scattered North Carolina summer thunderstorms Monday, the day of the two water events. He thought there could be “thunder and lightning, then some heavy rain, and then they’ll be done.”
Cawley emphasized that any thunderstorm should be taken seriously.
Stuart Rogers, chair of the organizing committee, recommended that participants check Take the Lake’s Facebook page and takethelake.org for weather updates and other current information over the weekend.
Rogers felt “pretty excited” over the cool temperatures of about 70 degrees F being forecast for early Saturday morning. “All of our Saturday events will be over by noon,” she said.
“Monday is the day I’m a little more concerned about,” said Rogers. “That’s the day of our water events. Folks do need to keep an eye out and watch our website for updates.”
One change already announced is the cancellation of the planned 1-Mile Swim. “It was a new event this year,” Rogers said, “but it didn’t receive the interest and participation we hoped for.”
Not too late
Online registration is still open at takethelake.org for six free events and one certified 5K walk-run costing $25 (t-shirt included). A portion of each 5K registration fee will support trail improvement efforts at Lake Waccamaw State Park.
T-shirts are still available for purchase while supplies last through the weekend.
T-shirts and preregistration packets will be available for pickup at Take the Plate, tonight’s pasta fundraising dinner at Lake Waccamaw United Methodist Church, 506 Lakeshore Dr., from 5:30-7 p.m. Donations for the eat-in/carry-out meal will support the church’s outreach missions in the community. Members of the public are invited to Take the Plate regardless of whether or not they plan to participate in Take the Lake.
Participant packets not picked up tonight will be at the check-in table for each event.
Schedule
The 5K Run/Walk will be the weekend’s first event at 8 a.m. tomorrow, beginning and ending in Elizabeth Brinkley Park. Parking is next to the ballfields on Bald Cypress Circle, accessible from N.C. 214 (Sam Potts Hwy.) Columbia Avenue will be closed between Schley Ave. and Bald Cypress for registration and start/finish sites.
From 8-10:30 a.m. Elizabeth Brinkley Park will be the site of the first-ever Take the Lake Family Celebration, with free games sponsored by the Columbus County Parks and Recreation department.  DJ Terry Basobas of Play That One DJ will provide music and announce events.
“The Family Celebration is going to be really fun,” Rogers said. Culinary students from Boys and Girls Homes will prepare breakfast items for purchase, including breakfast burritos, fruit cups, muffins and sports drinks. Proceeds will benefit the Homes. “Everyone in the community is invited to come enjoy the Family Celebration,” said Rogers.
Rules of the road and water
The 9:30 a.m. Family 1-Mile Fun Run and 10:30 a.m. 10K Family Bike Ride are free. Every bike rider must wear a helmet.
Parents are responsible for the safety of their children at all times. Minors need an adult to sign their waivers at check-in. Pets are not allowed.
Swimmers will assemble at 7:45 a.m. Monday to receive instructions for the traditional 4-Mile Lee J. Greer Labor Day Swim. Depending on conditions, the starting location, either Dale’s Seafood or the dam, will be posted on Facebook early Monday morning.
As always, each swimmer must be escorted by a boat or kayak. State boating laws require everyone in a boat to have access to an appropriate personal flotation device and everyone under 13 must wear vests at all times.
A swimmer may take a break by holding onto a boat that is sitting stationary, but her or she may not receive propulsion toward the finish.
Goggles and swim caps are recommended, and wetsuits are allowed. Swim fins and snorkels are not allowed.
The final event, the free 6-Mile Paddle, will commence at the dam at 12 noon Monday, following the perimeter of the lake to Dale’s Seafood. A clockwise or counterclockwise course will be determined that morning based on wind direction. A shuttle will return paddlers to the dam after their finish.
Participants are urged not to undertake the water challenges unless they have prepared for several weeks. N.C. Wildlife rangers will patrol the lake to enforce the life vest rule. Experienced paddlers and swimmers also recommend bringing a supply of water and snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a long-sleeve but cool shirt and a hat.