How the Stony Lake Sparkler 5K came to be

In August 2014, the Board of Trustees of the Stony Lake Property Owners Association voted unanimously to sponsor a community 5K race to raise funds for a local charity. Board member, and Race Director, Janie Denman assembled a focused team of volunteers that worked throughout the year to guarantee that the event would be memorable for all. The title Stony Lake Sparkler 5k was chosen, and the race was off and running!

Janie and The 2015 Sparkler Committee Members

The goal of the Stony Lake Sparkler 5k is to create a fun, family activity as part of the Fourth of July celebration. The event encourages community involvement and brings together young and old, runners and walkers, and families and friends. The race drew over 500 runners and walkers in the first year, growing to 873 runners and walkers in 2018 (fourth year). The generous support of area businesses that sponsor the event made it possible to raise $11,579 in 2015, $17,579 in 2016, $20,487 in 2017, $21,187 in 2018, $21,724 in 2019, $8,830 in 2020, $9,331 in 2021, $22,062 in 2022, and $24,850 in 2023 for the Crystal Valley Care Fund, a local grass-roots organization established in 1992 to help Oceana County families facing catastrophic hardships, house fires, life-threatening illnesses, and other life-altering events.

Planning for the Stony Lake Sparkler 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run for 2022 is underway and, once again, the race promises to be a memorable community event for all!