Lake Natoma’s annual paddle for a cause brings community spirit together with the fight against childhood cancer
More than 550 paddlers are already registered for the fifth annual Witches on the Lake, the signature event that helped Folsom become known as the “Paddling Capital of the West.”
The annual Lake Natoma paddle will once again support event partner Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance, a local nonprofit offering aid to Sacramento-area children facing cancer. One hundred percent of participant donations go to Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance.
The event will take place Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. on Lake Natoma. Due to the large number of participants — last year there were about 1,000 — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area requires organizer and local Realtor Janay Taua and Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance to obtain a special event permit and event insurance.
Both requirements have been completed so the event can continue, but everyone who plans to attend needs to register in advance at www.witchesonthelake.com.
The tradition of floating trick-or-treat stations on the water will continue again this year. Each child participating in trick-or-treating also needs to be registered.
Event host Janay Taua of Taua Realty Group thanked the community for its continued support of the Halloween event, which has now become an annual tradition that many look forward to each year.
Participants can wear a witch or wizard costume, grab a paddleboard or kayak and meet at Black Miners Bar on Lake Natoma as early as 3:30 p.m. The event continues until sunset, and the park gate closes at 7 p.m.
From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., children can trick-or-treat on the water.
At 5 p.m., paddlers will gather in the Rainbow Bridge area for a group photo. There will be a photographer from above and on the water. Participants may paddle wherever they want, but by 5 p.m., the goal is to fill the lake in the historic Folsom area near Rainbow Bridge for photos.
Parking at Black Miners Bar is $10. The event is family-friendly and open to all ages. Participants are asked to exercise all regular water safety precautions, including wearing life jackets, and paddle and participate at their own risk.
With more than 550 participants already registered, this year’s Witches on the Lake is shaping up to once again bring a large gathering of costumed paddlers to Lake Natoma for an afternoon of Halloween fun and support for a local cause. Updates are posted on the Instagram page @WitchesOnTheLake and the Witches on the Lake 2026 Facebook event page.
Businesses or organizations that would like to be part of the event may contact organizer Janay Taua at 916-337-3669 or janay@tauarealty.com. Visit Folsom have already signed on to be one of this year’s event sponsors. For more information and registration, visit www.witchesonthelake.com.
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