FOLSOM – What began just three years ago as a small group of friends paddling across Lake Natoma in witch hats has become a record-setting community phenomenon. The 2025 Witches on the Lake paddle boarding event hosted the largest witches paddle in the country this past weekend, drawing more than 1,400 participants and raising over $10,000 for Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance.
Organized by local resident and realtor Janay Taua of Taua Realty Group, the Halloween-themed paddle filled Lake Natoma with color and creativity as hundreds of witches and wizards launched from multiple points along the shoreline. The main launch site at Black Miners Bar reached capacity early, prompting late arrivals to enter the lake from alternate access points to join in the charitable spectacle.
The family-friendly event featured trick-or-treating both on and off the water, drawing families, friends, and spectators to the lake’s edge to watch the costumed crowd paddle beneath the evening sky. Children joined parents on paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes, turning the lake into a floating Halloween parade that shimmered from Rainbow Bridge to the Folsom bluffs.
Now in its third year, Witches on the Lake has grown exponentially from its early days of just 100 participants to this year’s record-breaking turnout. The growth mirrors the community’s passion for supporting the event’s cause—helping children and families affected by cancer. Every dollar collected goes directly to Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance, a Sacramento-based nonprofit dedicated to providing financial, emotional, and educational support to children battling cancer while raising awareness and funds for a cure.
Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance was founded in 1998 by Robyn and Kyle Raphael after the loss of their young son, Keaton, who bravely fought neuroblastoma. Determined to honor his memory, the Raphaels created what was first known as the Keaton Raphael Memorial. Over the years, it has evolved into a regional network offering direct assistance to families, financial relief for treatment expenses, and programs that inspire hope through every stage of the cancer journey.
Through community partnerships, volunteer support, and fundraisers like Witches on the Lake, the organization continues to carry forward Keaton’s spirit of courage and compassion—helping families face one of life’s hardest battles with strength and dignity.
The overwhelming success of this year’s event not only broke records for participation but also showcased the heart of the Folsom and Lake Natoma communities—where fun, creativity, and philanthropy come together on the water for a cause that truly matters.
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