Justin Lucas, Dan Weiss and the rest of the volunteers behind next week’s Lake Cumberland Thunder Run on Kentucky’s Lake Cumberland are super excited about what’s in store for the 11th annual affair taking place June 14-15 on the gorgeous lake.

For the second year in a row, State Dock Marina in Jamestown, Ky., is playing to host next week’s 11th annual Lake Cumberland Thunder Run. Photo by Kevin Johns/Instant Memories Photography

A part of me thinks that’s because I’m coming to the event for the first time this year, but that has nothing to do with it, trust me. It’s because Lucas and Weiss have a year under their belts of working with the team at State Dock Marina in Jamestown, Ky., which played host to the event for the first time in 2018. And it’s because the lake is in excellent shape, the card stop locations are eager for the event and the Naked Karate Girls are coming to town to entertain the participants.

Now that the Naked Karate Girls caught your attention—sorry there aren’t really any naked women, just the most on demand dance/rock show band in the Midwest that Lucas is excited about since he’s been trying to book it for years—it’s time to get signed up if you haven’t already. Although the discounted early-registration date has passed, you can still sign up for the event online (click here) or in person.

“The lake conditions are awesome—I can’t say for certain, but I think the lake is in the best shape it’s ever been in the history of the event,” said Lucas, who is excited to have his friends Mark and Britney Godsey of Chattanooga, Tenn., coming in their new-to-them 52-foot canopied MTI Project Mayhem. “The pre-registrations were up a little from last year and I’m sure the on-site sign-ups will be strong so we’re expecting a large group again. We’ve changed up the run a little with a new stop for Friday’s bonus chip, which will take participants to a new spot (Boy’s Camp Cove in Beaver Creek sponsored by Roberts Packaging Group) to see on the lake, not 76 Falls. We know people will go there if they want because it’s the falls, so we decided to mix things up. Saturday’s stops will be the same as last year.”

Lucas said he’s expecting a strong turnout for Friday’s stereo competition sponsored by Shore Power Marine. He added that there is live entertainment on Friday night by the band Cover Model as well as the always-amusing Instant Memories photography booth, which will be set up both evenings, provided by event photographer Kevin Johns.

“Everyone is going to love the Naked Karate Girls—it’s a crazy fun party band we’ve been trying to schedule for a long time,” Lucas said. “We always try to change up the entertainment. We’re going to have three big screens playing video from the run—it should be a cool party atmosphere.”

Like last year, State Dock is already selling Thunder Run merchandise and is going to have a bunch of items available for purchase during the event. But unlike last year, speedonthewater.com is going to be on site to cover this year’s event—and, as you can imagine, I can’t wait.

Related links
A Thunderous Effort
Moving On Up: Godseys Trade 38-Foot MTI For Canopied 52-Footer
Lake Cumberland Thunder Run Turns 10