The Longest Day to be held June 15

Bring your blanket or chair to the southwest side of Lake Lorraine on Thursday, June 15 from 6-9 p.m. to partake in The Longest Day, a free, family-friendly event to learn more about Alzheimer’s, honor those who have battled the disease and celebrate caregivers. The Longest Day features a Memory Stroll, luminaries, yard games, live music and giveaways. All activities will take place on the Lake Walk, with free parking at CarsForSale.com, Westlake Office Building and on Westlake Drive.

The Alzheimer’s Association encourages people from across the world to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through an activity of their choice. The longest day of the year is the summer solstice — the day with the most light, which is also in June. A number of activities to fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Association are planned throughout the community this month as June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. The goal is to bring people together for an activity to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Luminary bags that honor loved ones will be available to decorate onsite and then placed along the Lake Walk. A one-mile Memory Stroll around the Lake Walk will take place at 8:15 p.m. Luminaries will be lit at the end of the stroll, just before dusk. Freewill donations will be accepted throughout The Longest Day event with 100% of funds going to the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. Luminaries can also be picked up at the weekly Lake Lorraine Farmers Market, held Thursdays from 4-7 p.m.

The Alzheimer’s Association South Dakota is the premier source of information and support for the more than 18,000 people living with Alzheimer’s in South Dakota, their families and caregivers. Worldwide, more than 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The South Dakota chapter has been providing services, information, and advocacy since 1982 to people with dementia, their families and health care providers.

This is the second year that Lake Lorraine has hosted The Longest Day. More information can be found online. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association can also be made here.

Here’s a rundown of activities:

6-9 p.m.:

  • Yard games along the Lake Walk on the southwest side of Lake Lorraine

  • Luminary decorating (freewill donation)

  • Live music from The Back Porch Pickers and Sound Made Simple

  • Food trucks including Curbside Delights and Rudy M. Navarrete’s Tex-Mexican Catering (plus food options from Lake Lorraine businesses)

  • Door prize drawings

8:15 p.m.

  • Memory Stroll around the Lake Walk (approximately one mile)

  • Following the Stroll, a brief luminary ceremony will take place and the luminaries will be lit for a beautiful display at dusk

Amy Smolik