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Around the Lake

Upcoming Events

There’s always something going on at Lake Wildwood. Come out, bring a friend, invite your family, and enjoy the events that bring our community together.

Make Plans. Bring Friends. Enjoy the Lake.

Events are part of what makes Lake Wildwood feel like a real community. Some are big seasonal traditions. Some are casual nights by the water. Some are contests, tournaments, volunteer opportunities, or simple reasons to gather with neighbors.

This page keeps the latest highlighted events easy to scan, easy to share, and easy to get excited about.

Featured Events

Here’s what’s coming up around Lake Wildwood.

June 20 5:30 AM
Lake Wildwood Fishing Tournaments Two June tournament dates, including the Chip Webster Memorial Tournament.
Fishing Tournaments

Bass Tournaments

$50 Per Boat Payouts Awarded Big Bass Pots
Saturday, June 20, Chip Webster Memorial Tournament
5:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Saturday, June 27
5:30 PM to Midnight

Lake Wildwood Fishing Tournaments continue in June with two tournament dates. The Chip Webster Memorial Tournament will be held Saturday, June 20, from 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by an evening tournament on Saturday, June 27, from 5:30 PM to midnight.

Registration begins one-half hour before the start of each tournament. Take-off and weigh-in will be held at the Marina ramp, with livewell checks taking place before take-off.

June Tournament Dates

  • Saturday, June 20, 5:30 AM to 12:00 PM
  • June 20 is the Chip Webster Memorial Tournament
  • Saturday, June 27, 5:30 PM to Midnight
  • Registration begins 30 minutes before each tournament
  • Take-off and weigh-in will be held at the Marina ramp

Entry & Rules

  • Entry fee is $50 per boat
  • Tournaments are limited to 2 anglers per boat
  • All boats must be legally registered with Lake Wildwood
  • All boats must have some form of aerated livewell
  • All Illinois D.N.R. and Lake Wildwood boating regulations apply
  • Only artificial lures may be used, with the exception of pork trailers
  • Trolling is prohibited
  • Creel limit is five 14-inch fish per team, largemouth and smallmouth combined

In cases of 14 or more boats, tournaments will split into two flights 15 minutes apart. End times may be adjusted during extreme heat.

June 27 9:30 AM
Pickleball at Lake Wildwood Join us for the 1st Annual Lake Wildwood Pickleball Tournament.
Tournament

1st Annual Pickleball Tournament

Cash Prizes Teams Double Elimination
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Registration begins at 9:30 AM
Tournament starts at 10:00 AM
$20 entry per pair

Join us for the 1st Annual Lake Wildwood Pickleball Tournament. Grab a partner and enjoy a fun morning of friendly competition, community, and pickleball action.

The tournament will follow a double elimination format, giving teams more chances to play and compete for cash prizes.

Event Details

  • Double elimination tournament
  • Registration begins at 9:30 AM
  • Tournament play starts at 10:00 AM
  • Entry cost is $20 per pair
  • Cash prizes will be awarded

Find a partner, sign up, and come ready for a great day on the courts.

July 3–5 Weekend
Fourth of July Weekend Music, parade fun, America 250, and fireworks over the Wildwood Dam.
America 250 Weekend

Fourth of July Weekend Celebrations

Live Music Annual Parade America 250 Fireworks at Dusk
Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5
July 3, Music at the Pavilion
July 4, Annual Parade in the morning
July 5, Fireworks at dusk over the Wildwood Dam

Mark your calendars for a full Fourth of July weekend at Lake Wildwood. This year’s celebration also marks America 250, making it a special year to gather with neighbors, enjoy the weekend, and celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary.

Members are encouraged to start planning their parade decorations now. Decorate your golf cart, ATV, or bicycle and join the fun as the parade travels from the pool area toward the Lodge.

In honor of America 250, members who wish to do so are encouraged to have fun with a patriotic theme and bring out their best red, white, and blue designs. Americana decorations are welcome, but not required. Everyone is invited to participate in the style (patriotic, Wildwood-themed, fun & funky, etc.) that works best for them!

Weekend Highlights

  • Friday, July 3: Music at the Pavilion
  • Saturday, July 4: Annual Parade in the morning
  • Parade line-up will be in front of the pool
  • Decorated golf carts, ATVs, and bicycles are welcome
  • America 250 patriotic and Americana-themed decorations are encouraged, but optional
  • Parade route will head toward the Lodge
  • Sunday, July 5: Evening fireworks at dusk over the Wildwood Dam

More details will be announced soon. For now, save the dates and start thinking red, white, blue, and Lake Wildwood as we celebrate Fourth of July weekend and America 250 together.

July 24–25 Garage Sales
Lake Wildwood Garage Sales Member-only shopping on July 24, followed by an open-gate public event on July 25.
Community Event

Lake Wildwood Garage Sales

Member Day Open Gate Event Garage Sale Map
Friday, July 24, Members Only
Saturday, July 25, Open to the Public
July 25 open-gate hours: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Lake Wildwood Community

The Lake Wildwood Garage Sales will take place Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25. Friday, July 24 is reserved for Lake Wildwood members only.

Saturday, July 25 will be an open-gate event from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event will be open to the public after visitors stop at the Main Gate to obtain an event pass.

Event Details

  • Friday, July 24 is for Lake Wildwood members only
  • Saturday, July 25 is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
  • Public visitors must stop at the Main Gate to obtain an event pass
  • Garage sale locations will be included on the event map
  • Members who want to appear on the garage sale map should complete the contact form below

Want your garage sale included on the map? Please fill out the form below so your location can be added before the event.

August 1 7:30 PM
Lake Wildwood Venetian Night Light up the lake for an evening watercraft parade around Lake Wildwood.
Watercraft Parade

Venetian Night Watercraft Parade

Watercraft Parade Counterclockwise Route Prizes Awarded
Saturday, August 1
Watercraft line-up begins at 7:30 PM
Marina line-up start and end point
Parade route travels around the entire lake

Lake Wildwood Venetian Night returns Saturday, August 1, with a lighted watercraft parade around the entire lake. Participants will line up at the Marina beginning at 7:30 PM before traveling the parade route from Marina to Marina.

Decorate your watercraft, light up the lake, and join the community for a fun evening on the water!

Event Details

  • Saturday, August 1
  • Watercraft line-up begins at 7:30 PM
  • Line-up starts at the Marina
  • Parade travels around the entire lake, Marina to Marina
  • Theme: Open - Let Your Creativity Shine!
  • 1st and 2nd place prizes will be awarded

Traffic Flow

  • Motorized watercraft must travel counterclockwise around the lake during the parade
  • All participants should follow the parade route and keep a safe distance from other watercraft
  • Please watch for decorated boats, spectators, and reduced visibility as the parade continues into the evening

Light up the lake and help make Venetian Night a fun, safe, and memorable evening for Lake Wildwood.

August 15 5:30 PM
Kids Pool Party A pool party for Lake Wildwood kids ages 6 to 15.
Pool Party

Dive-In Day: Kids Pool Party

Ages 6–15 No Cost Pool Event Music & Games
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Rain Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Lake Wildwood Pool

Lake Wildwood kids ages 6 to 15 are invited to Dive-In Day, a fun summer pool party with swimming, games, food, prizes, and music.

This event is free to attend, but online registration is requested so we can plan ahead for food, games, snacks, and supplies.

Event Highlights

  • Swimming and poolside fun
  • Games and activities
  • Food and snacks
  • Prizes
  • Music
  • No cost to attend

Please register online to help us prepare enough food, games, snacks, and supplies for everyone attending.

August 29 4-7 PM
Rock the Dock for St. Jude Member-hosted fundraiser on the lake.
Member-Hosted Charity Event

Rock the Dock for St. Jude

St. Jude Fundraiser Live Music Lakefront Gathering Sponsorships Available Donate Online
Saturday, August 29
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
In the cove near 1125 Loganberry Lane
Live music by Those 2 Guys Plus 1

Rock the Dock is a community fundraiser hosted by Lake Wildwood members in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Neighbors are invited to gather on the lake, pull up their boats, and enjoy an afternoon of music, giving, and community support.

Support begins before the main event. Look for the Rock the Dock golf cart in the Fourth of July parade, where volunteers in Rock the Dock shirts will be collecting donations by QR code and cash. Donors at the parade will receive a small gift.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available, with levels ranging from $100 to $2,500. Every dollar raised goes to St. Jude. Checks may be made payable to St. Jude and mailed to Dave Krahn, 654 Driftwood Ct, Varna, IL 61375.

Become a Sponsor

  • $2,500 Champion of Hope Sponsor
  • $1,000 Healing Hearts Sponsor
  • $500 Floatin’ for the Kids Sponsor
  • $250 Rocking 250 Years Sponsor
  • $100 Anchor of Strength Sponsor
  • Every dollar raised goes to St. Jude

Event Highlights

  • Hosted by Lake Wildwood members to benefit St. Jude
  • Look for the Rock the Dock golf cart in the July 4 parade
  • Donations accepted online, by QR code, and by cash
  • Donors at the parade will receive a gift
  • Patriotic pinwheels and koozies available during the parade fundraiser
  • Questions? Contact Joe and Diane Kinzer, Dave and Alice Wilson, or Dave and Peggy Krahn

Questions?

Please note: Rock the Dock is hosted by members of Lake Wildwood Association and is not an official Lake Wildwood Association event.

Make the Most of Lake Season

Check back often for new activities, updated dates, added event details, and more ways to enjoy Lake Wildwood with your neighbors.

Volunteer

Great events rely on great volunteers. Whether you give an hour or help all season, your time makes our community’s favorite moments possible.

Help make the next event even better.

Recreation Event Survey

Have ideas for future events? Tell us what you love, what you want more of, and what would get your family excited to participate.

Your feedback helps shape what comes next.