Friends of Carlyle Lake

08/11/2026

Did you have some fun times at the Lake this summer? Share your photos here with the hashtag and your photo might be featured in a future post or media flyer/ad/other production or fundraiser item. By sharing your photos, you release your photo to be used in the aforementioned way, without remuneration, and attest your are the owner/photographer of the photo. Feel free to include the name of the photographer for proper mention.

06/25/2026

06/25/2026

Grab your life jacket and enjoy some fun in the sun! Wearing a life jacket when you’re in, on, or near open water (lakes, rivers, ponds, etc.) will help ensure that you have a great summer.

06/21/2026

To all the dads out there, Happy Father's Day! Set a good example for your kids and grandkids by always wearing your life jacket. Please Wear It

06/17/2026

Always Wear Your Life Jacket! It saves lives when worn properly.

A life jacket can’t save your life if it’s floating on top of the water and you’re sinking to the bottom. Having a life jacket on your boat, even if it’s “readily accessible,” is not good enough. so you can enjoy boating another day.

06/07/2026

Well the 2026 Great Bottlecap Bicycle Race is in the books! Thank you to everyone who participated and made it a great day! We had a blast and hope you did too!! Here are some memorable moments of the day.

06/06/2026

The inaugural Great Bottlecap Bicycle Race 2026 is underway!

06/04/2026

Get ready to ride! Here is a map of all the challenge spots for The Great Bottlecap Bike Race this Saturday, June 6th. The event starts off at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center at 9a.m. Participants have to complete 11 challenges in 3 hrs. All participants will receive a six pack of assorted Excel Bottling Soda and a chance to win prizes.
Those who would like to participate can sign up the day of the event between 8 - 9am. All proceeds go to the Friends of Carlyle Lake for environmental education and projects at Carlyle Lake.

05/29/2026

The Friends of Carlyle Lake are busy preparing for The Great Bottlecap Bike Race. Today, Bottlecaps were picked up from race sponsor Excel Bottling Company of Breese, IL. These bottlecaps will be given to participants for completing challenges. Participants will need to collect 10 bottlecaps in three hours to win. Excel Bottling Company will be at the event handing out assorted six packs of soda to those who complete the race. Participants will also be able to play the new SKI plinko game to win a one-of-a-kind collectors lenticular postcard celebrating Freedom Punch Soda. The event will take place next Saturday, June 6, 2026. To register follow the link or show up the day of the event between 8- 9 am at the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center. Race begins at 9am. https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Frunsignup.com%2FRace%2FRegister%3FraceId%3D185625%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQ0V3OGE3cnE1RW52QVN0TnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7xscThB0K3pT6jYVI2O9ppIEGIrkiFsnFNN3c64SRr4U82Zn9F-ftU-NGQFA_aem_B002Zuzyvf13fea6za46pg&h=AUDgglZD-USEST8Mg9f9FaSyxV1ZywAO0anHUsgjuTBSI2PzdUQKPd94vwnenZ6GjgXzlJABo_raQo3K1CxPyghyYKbuvttRzg6qlWDQFwNtJaKoZs0QhitN5QhNbz6XOPV5llPmxK7eLlcilElylbHXWUAmVg&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AUDGzR-2jMxAWrajUP4tndmj9tbk1bTFPZARVN0e44Rs-n31HVYJ1-TJkYwZfSVSjVYcGUFZQo8-M1511rDzSbj7qPil6p0t0ZUviNCzKeA1NkDFFLCZEKfI63qEKvlxb5m2oO8pyBCABSb5g5qqH4VZ9UI9Xloz23H-gbhXajvaC3fav_KYYLXzE4VRDwTcRVe_tB5GONrJ_HmAj1YCBtCO

05/29/2026

Using the right knot is critical to making sure your vessel is secure, so it doesn’t drift away. Many people drown every year trying to retrieve their boat, so please wear a life jacket when you’re retrieving anything in the water.