I hope you're gearing up for a fun summer at Smith Mountain Lake! There's already a ton going on. Just last weekend, you had the chance to take part in a relaxing float as part of Ramble Weekend or play cards as part of the Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run. Of course, Memorial Day weekend is packed, and the 50th anniversary of the lake's full pond is bringing with it a whole other set of things to do.

I've rounded up some of what I consider to be summer must-do events at Smith Mountain Lake. Following that is a list of links to several calendars that highlight even more goings-on at the lake. Check them out. I can assure you you'll find something for everyone!

Memorial Day weekend:

Saturday, 5/28: Opening of Smith Mountain Lake Community Park Beach

Saturday, 5/28: Memorial Day Family Fun Extravaganza. Get free admission to Mariners Landing Resort Entertainment area, including live music, food and adult beverages. Inflatables and lots of other kid-friendly activities. The Mariners Landing events page has more information.

Saturday, 5/28: Stars and Stripes Forever concert. Featuring The Let's Dance Band and the Jefferson Choral Society at the National D-Day Memorial. Find information on the memorial's website.

Monday, 5/30: Memorial Day Ceremony. Also at the National D-Day Memorial, including music, a wreath-laying ceremony and dedication of new veterans' bricks. Get more information.

More this summer

June 3: Smith Mountain Lake Invitational Golf Tournament. The 18-hole, captain's choice tournament at The Westlake opens the golfing season at the lake. Download a registration form and get more information

June 12: 50th Anniversary of Smith Mountain Lake party.Tour the Virginia Dare and much more. Find details here.

June 25: Smith Mountain Lake Standup Paddleboard Race. Demonstrations and race at Smith Mountain Lake Community Park.

July Fourth fireworks: There are so many July 4 celebrations around the lake. As a sampling of events, you can see fireworks July 2 at the Moneta Fire-Worx Fest and at Parkway Marina. On July 4, head over to Mariners Landing for more fireworks and an Independence Day celebration. If you want to make a weekend of it, check out the festivities at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

July 9: Horse and Hound Wine Festival. Demonstrations and wine tastings at Johnson's Orchards and Peaks of Otter Winery. More information.

July 15-17: Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days. A family-friendly pirate weekend. More information.  

July 26: Wake the World. Boat owners join forces to give disadvantaged youth and the physically challenged the opportunity to participate in watersports. Contact Smith Mountain Wake Company for more information.

July 29-30: Burchett, Dickinson, Payne & Associates Smith Mountain Lake Cardboard Boat Regatta. I'll be sharing more about this event in a couple of weeks, but our team is happy to be the title sponsor for the Smith Mountain Lake Cardboard Boat Regatta. This inaugural event organized by the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce and the W.E. Skelton 4-H Center to celebrate the lake's 50th anniversary will feature a race of boats made entirely of cardboard. It should be great fun! Learn about rules and registration here.

Aug. 6: Smith Mountain Lake YMCA Guinness World Record Challenge. Join in as participants try to break the record for most number of people floating on inflatables on a lake at one time. Hosted by the Smith Mountain Lake branch of the Franklin County Family YMCA.

This isn't meant to be an exhaustive list. There are plenty of other things going on this summer that I haven't mentioned here. Check out these links for more event listings:

• Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce events calendar
• Smith Mountain Laker magazine events calendar
• Smith Mountain Eagle events calendar

For more information about lake living, call me at (540) 353-0123 or email me at sonya@sonyadickinson.com. Browse my listings here and be sure to like my Facebook page.