Messages From Our Mayor - Celebrating 100 Years of Lake Lure: Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future
Message from the Mayor
July 2026
There are moments in the life of a community that remind us not only where we have been, but where we are going. As we prepare to celebrate the Town of Lake Lure's Centennial in 2027, we have the unique opportunity to reflect on a century of history, resilience, and community spirit while looking forward to an exciting future.
Our Centennial celebration officially begins on September 30, 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Lake Lure Dam. This remarkable engineering achievement transformed a mountain valley into one of America's most beautiful lakes and laid the foundation for the town we know and love today.
The Lake Lure Dam has stood strong for a century, and perhaps its greatest testament came in September 2024, when it withstood the devastating forces of Hurricane Helene. While our community experienced tremendous loss and hardship, the dam remained steadfast—a powerful symbol of the strength and perseverance that define Lake Lure.
To commemorate this historic anniversary, I invite everyone to join us for a community celebration at the Lake Lure Gazebo. The day will feature an Antique Boat Show showcasing beautiful vintage wooden boats from the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, alongside treasured classic boats from our own Lake Lure community.
Following the display, the boats will parade across the lake, departing from Washburn Marina and traveling past the Lake Lure Gazebo, Lake Lure Beach, Pool Creek Picnic Park, and into the main channel before arriving at the Lake Lure Dam. There, we will gather to raise a commemorative toast in honor of the visionaries who built this engineering marvel and the generations who have cared for and cherished it over the past 100 years.
This event marks the beginning of a year-long Centennial celebration. Throughout 2027, our community will host a calendar of special events recognizing the rich history, traditions, and people who have shaped Lake Lure over the past century.
One of the highlights will be the celebration of the Town's incorporation on March 7, 2027, featuring a Roaring Twenties-themed event complete with historical presentations from local historians and longtime community members. Together, we'll revisit the stories, accomplishments, and enduring spirit that have made Lake Lure such a special place.
As we celebrate our past, we are equally excited about our future. We are grateful that our beautiful lake, parks, and trails have been restored following Hurricane Helene, and we look forward to continuing the work of rebuilding the amenities our residents have identified as priorities.
Our recently completed Comprehensive Planning Process has provided a community-driven vision for Lake Lure's future. We encourage everyone to attend the Public Hearing on August 5, 2026, where the conceptual plans will be presented. Your ideas and participation will help guide the next century of thoughtful stewardship and responsible growth.
Lake Lure's story has always been one of vision, determination, and resilience. The generations before us created something extraordinary. Today, we have the privilege and responsibility of preserving and enhancing that legacy for our children, grandchildren, and all who will call Lake Lure home in the years to come.
The future is bright. As we begin our Centennial celebration, I invite every resident, business, civic organization, and visitor to join us in honoring our remarkable history while helping shape the next 100 years of Lake Lure.
Here's to our first century—and to an even brighter second century together.
Carol Pritchett, Mayor, Town of Lake Lure
