By Pamela A. Zinkosky
Hydroplane boat racing, car displays, live music, food and kids’ activities. Who could ask for more?
The 12th annual Quake on the Lake at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area July 16 and 17 promises a host of low-cost, family-friendly activities, all surrounding the main event – the Inboard Hydroplane Championships. The annual event attracts some 30,000 people and has raised more than $150,000 for children’s charities over the years, said Dale Hampshire, Quake on the Lake chairperson.
Hampshire, who’s a boat racer himself, said Quake on the Lake is the largest inboard hydroplane race in North America, according to the number of race teams participating, which this year surpasses 100. The race course is conducive to high speeds, Hampshire said. Boat racers have set 17 world records on the course.
This year’s stakes are even higher for Quake on the Lake racers, as they will be competing for the national championship – what Hampshire calls “the granddaddy of all races.” Nine different classes of boats will compete.
In addition to boat racing, Quake on the Lake includes static car displays like Chevy Corvettes and other classic cars, new electric cars, race cars and ski boats.
Not a gear head? Read on. There’s plenty of other family-friendly entertainment. The family fun zone includes inflatables for kids to bounce on and other kid-friendly activities. The live music lineup has something for everyone, with The Verve Pipe, Rare Earth and The Infatuations headlining Saturday’s music. There’s even a kids’ concert, “Calling All Kids,” performed by The Verve Pipe at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Sunday’s lineup is all-country, with Shotgun Willie, Billy Craig, Terrie Lea and The Mustangs, and Bullhonkey Deluxe.
All concerts are included in the $10 admission – a bargain by any standard.
Proceeds for the 2011 Quake on the Lake go to The Rainbow Connection, founded by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. The charity grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
“We try to grant four to six wishes per event,” Hampshire said. Past wishes granted have included trips to Disney World and other fun destinations, and meeting the President of the United States. “Some of the kids, as sick as they are, make wishes for their parents,” Hampshire said.
Quake on the Lake is held at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, a state park with more than 3,700 acres of land designated for swimming, camping, hiking, fishing and other recreational activities. “It’s just a great venue,” Hampshire said.
A wide range of sponsors help make Quake on the Lake happen, including individual Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers and other auto dealers, Genisys Credit Union, White Lake and Waterford Townships, Oakland County Parks and Recreation, and many more.
“We get a lot of good support from the community,” Hampshire said.
Attendance at this outdoor event is weather-dependent, but Hampshire said he hopes to see a good crowd this year. “The gas prices are going to help us a lot this year. People are going to be looking for things to do close to home.”
The races run Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Concerts run 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Children age 4 and younger get in free. Pit passes and other special tickets are also available.
For more information, visit www.quakeonthelake.org.
