Families, nature lovers, and community members came together Saturday at Glade Run Lake for the first-ever Celebrate the Lake event, a day-long festival designed to highlight the natural beauty of the 52-acre lake and the ongoing efforts to protect it.
Organized by the Glade Run Lake Conservancy, the free event featured live music, food trucks, local vendors, animal exhibits, and children’s activities, along with fundraising raffles and a silent auction. The celebration was made possible through sponsorship from Paracca Interiors, Moraine Grove Veterinary Clinic, Burgess Law Firm, Cranberry Wealth, and the Conservancy’s board of directors.
A Celebration with Purpose
For event director Christina Handley, the goal was simple: invite more people to discover and appreciate a hidden treasure in their own backyard.
“There are so many people in Butler County and nearby who don’t even know this lake exists,” Handley said. “We wanted people to come out, experience it, and keep coming back. This is the first year for Celebrate the Lake, and we’ve broadened it to really showcase what makes this place special.”
The Conservancy, formed in 2011 after the lake was drained due to dam damage, played a pivotal role in restoring the site. Thanks to community action, the lake was refilled in 2017, and today it supports a two-mile loop trail, thriving wildlife, and a growing conservation mission.
Still, Handley noted, challenges remain.
“We’re seeing impacts from non-point source pollution—things like pesticides and herbicides running off into the water,” she explained. “And there’s constant development pressure in the area. Our goal is to balance growth with the need to protect these natural spaces.”
A Mission Rooted in Community Action
Siggy Pehel, president of the Conservancy since its founding, said the event also served as a reminder of how far the organization has come.
“When the dam failed in 2011, the lake was left a barren wasteland. At a township meeting, residents were told there wasn’t funding to fix it unless taxes were raised. That wasn’t acceptable to us,” Pehel recalled. “So we formed the Conservancy to do what government couldn’t do on its own—bring this lake back.”
Since then, the group has expanded its footprint, securing land acquisitions and conservation easements to protect more than 200 acres surrounding the lake. A recent donation and state grant allowed the Conservancy to purchase 53 acres along Glade Run Creek, a key water source feeding the lake.
“Our mission is to preserve and protect, not just for us but for generations to come,” Pehel said. “Today’s event is about celebrating what’s been achieved and energizing the community for what’s still ahead.”
Vendors, Music, and Family Fun
More than 30 vendors and nonprofits lined the lakeside, offering handcrafted goods, local food, and educational activities. Children flocked to the “Kids Nature Nook,” while animal lovers enjoyed up-close encounters with alpacas, rescue horses, and birds of prey from local sanctuaries.
Music from Terry Lee Spencer provided the soundtrack, and refreshments ranged from Hot Ash Pizza to Stick City Brewery’s craft beer.
By mid-afternoon, crowds filled the grounds—a promising sign for organizers hoping to make Celebrate the Lake an annual tradition.
Handley summed it up:
“The lake is here for all of us. It’s beautiful, it’s peaceful, and it’s worth protecting. That’s what today was all about.”