4th annual

Witches on the Lake

Where community spirit meets the fight against childhood cancer

10/18/25

What’s it all about?

Ivy Foley, Oct 5, 2011-Jan 31, 2025

Four years ago, a dear friend and local family received the unimaginable news that their daughter had been diagnosed with a rare cancer—clear cell sarcoma.

As a community member and local realtor, I’ve sought to build connection and foster community. Inspired by this family’s journey, I partnered with Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance, a local organization dedicated to supporting families as they navigate the challenges of pediatric cancer, and created a community gathering to uplift and raise awareness.

Blending our community’s love of paddling with purpose, Witches on the Lake was born.

Earlier this year, we lost the brave young girl who inspired this event’s beginnings. In her honor, we continue- raising awareness, offering support, and building hope.

Now in its fourth year on Lake Natoma, and last year with well over 400 participants, Witches on the Lake has become a tradition of resilience, remembrance, and community. To those who share your stories of survival and loss, and to all who come to support- you are the heart of this event.

Woman dressed as a witch sitting in a kayak on a river, smiling, wearing a black hat, black outfit, holding a paddle, with trees and a bridge in the background at sunset.
A young woman dressed as a witch standing behind a table with a sign for Keaton's Child Cancer Alliance at a lakeside park. She is holding a Halloween wreath. The background shows people swimming and playing by the water.

Who can attend?

*

Who can attend? *

Anyone may attend! Grab a paddleboard or kayak, life jacket, and join us on the water, stay on shore, or watch from above on the Rainbow Bridge. Wear a witch/wizard or any halloween costume if pointy hats aren’t your thing.
Meet at Black Miner’s Bar of Lake Natoma from 4:00 pm until Sunset on October 18th.

Come experience fun and community, while supporting the fight against childhood cancer.

THIS IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY EVENT

October 18th Schedule of Events

4:00 pm

Meet at Black
Miner’s Bar boat
launch area with
your board or
kayaks

4:00-5:00 pm

Trick or Treat on
the water for
children-must
rsvp below. Begin
paddling for all

5:30 pm

Everyone on the
water be near
Rainbow Bridge
area for a group
photo!

How to Participate and Support

Due to the larger number of attendees, to have the support of Folsom state parks, an event permit and insurance was required.

PLEASE use the link below to rsvp so we can ensure a safe event, and have the continued support of the state parks to host this event each year.

Your donation goes directly to our local non-profit, Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance.

  • A young boy on a paddleboard on a lake, wearing a large black hat for sun protection, smiling and leaning on one hand, with a water bottle attached to the board. In the background, other paddleboarders and kayakers are visible near the shoreline with trees and a bridge.

  • A woman dressed as a witch with a black hat and sunglasses, smiling and making a peace sign gesture, seen from a low angle against a clear blue sky, with her legs in colorful striped leggings in the foreground.

  • Two people wearing pointed witch hats on a boat in a river, with trees and rocks in the background. The woman is smiling and making a hand gesture, while the man is smiling and facing away from the camera.

  • Young girl in a Halloween costume wearing a black witch hat, a pink life jacket, and a yellow skirt, sitting on the ground outdoors near rocks and trees.

  • Two young women wearing large black hats laughing outdoors on a sunny day.

  • People in Halloween costumes paddle on a river in Halloween-themed costumes, including witches, skeletons, and a character with a red cape and skeleton face mask, during sunset.

  • Two people in costumes paddleboarding on a river during sunset, one dressed as a witch and the other as a witch with a red hat and cape.

  • Woman dressed as a wizard with a witch hat and cape, smiling at camera while paddleboarding on a river, with two women in the background also on paddleboards.

  • Woman dressed as a witch, wearing a black pointed hat and a white dress, holding a staff or broomstick, outdoors with a bridge visible in the background.

  • Two women wearing witch hats and smiling, taking a selfie by a lake with paddleboards in the background on a clear day.

  • Person sitting on paddleboard wearing purple witch hat and striped purple and black leggings, surrounded by others on paddleboards under a bridge during daytime.

  • A woman dressed as a witch with a large black pointed hat decorated with feathers and a spiderweb net, featuring a small spider decoration on her face, is standing outdoors near a body of water with a bridge in the background.

  • Two women wearing witch hats, one with pink sunglasses and the other with a smiley face balloon, outdoors in a parking lot with people on paddleboards in the background.

  • Two young girls dressed in Halloween costumes standing outside in a parking lot with trees in the background. One girl is dressed as a witch with a purple hat and broom, and the other girl is dressed as a princess or fairy in a black, white, orange, and yellow dress.

  • Two people, a man and a woman, dressed as witches with large hats, standing on a dock by a lake at sunset. The man is wearing a black shirt, gray shorts, and orange and black striped socks with sandals. The woman is wearing a black dress, green and black striped socks with sandals, and has a pink flower bracelet. The background shows a lake with a boat, trees, and a cloudy sky.

  • Two women dressed as witches on a paddleboard in a lake, with trees and blue sky in the background.

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See what makes living near Lake Natoma & the American River so special!