Virginia Lake Festival

07/21/2026

The Mecklenburg County YMCA 5k on Saturday, July 18th during Virginia Lake Festival was an amazing time for everyone! And now - the wait is over! See the official results from their 2026 LakeFest 5K below.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this event such a success—incredible sponsors, volunteers who dedicated their Saturday morning, the 200+ runners and those who came out to run, cheer & celebrate, and The Brick for providing race timing.
We couldn't have asked for a better morning, and we're so grateful to everyone who joined us! Thank you!

Photos by The Brick.

07/20/2026

All of our Lake Fest vendors did an incredible job this year and we thank them for their hard work to make Lake Fest a success in spite of the hot weather and storm!

This year's Craft booth winners are:

1st Barry Cowart
2nd Kelio's Art
3rd Wildflowers VA
Honorable Mention: Dastkaari

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!!!

07/19/2026

And a few 2026 Lake Fest memories...

07/19/2026

07/19/2026

The hot air balloons are now history for Lake Fest 2026 and we're already looking forward to our 50th Virginia Lake Festival celebration in 2027! Hoping for clear skies and cooler weather in '27!!!

Thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed the festivities on Friday evening and Saturday (until Mother Nature took over and the electrical power was out!). Our staff, volunteers, and vendors work VERY long and hard to prepare for this event and we appreciate every one of them and their dedication to our community.

07/19/2026

UPDATE: It was crazy weather for balloons this year so until Lake Fest 2027, enjoy the pictures!

07/18/2026

UPDATE:

We are very sad that weather conditions are unsafe and unfavorable for our pilots to take the hot air balloons up again this evening. This decision was not made lightly, but the hot air balloons are officially cancelled. Thank you all for your understanding and grace as we have worked through a severe storm and numerous challenges this afternoon. Decisions are all made with the primary goal of keeping everyone as safe as possible. Our staff, vendors, and many volunteers have done everything possible to make Lake Fest a great event and we applaud their hard work and commitment!

07/18/2026

URGENT UPDATE 🚨

DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER EARLIER AND THE LOSS OF ELECTRICITY DOWNTOWN, THERE WILL BE NO FIREWORKS TONIGHT AND IT IS QUESTIONABLE WHETHER OR NOT THE PILOTS WILL BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THE HOT AIR BALLOONS. IT IS LOOKING DOUBTFUL AT THIS POINT BUT WE ARE CHECKING WITH THE PILOTS. SOME VENDORS ARE PACKING UP AND IT IS VERY WINDY RIGHT NOW. AS WE KNOW MORE, WE WILL LET YOU KNOW.