Memorial Day weekend, that traditional opening to the summer season, has plenty to offer in Big Canoe with cookouts, pool openings, extended Clubhouse hours, and a host of hot-weather remedies to get things started.
Not lost on Big Canoe is the deeper significance of Memorial Day, which honors the military personnel who died in service of our country. Among the numerous planned activities that weekend is the 
placement of the veteran banners along Lake Petit Dam.
The three-day weekend also comes just as the community is reopening as the weather is warming up. What that means is there is no shortage of happenings. Among the upcoming events this weekend:
Pool openings – The curtains are officially raised on Big Canoe’s summer with the Saturday, May 29 opening of the pools both at the Beach Club and Wildcat Recreation Area. Both are fully staffed. Look for snacks and drinks to be served at the Beach Club, where patrons are allowed to bring in their own food and drinks – but no glassware.
On the subject of aquatic activities, the uncertainty around the timing of the completion of the Disharoon Lake drainage system has caused the closure of the Beach, inflatables and rockslide area for the Memorial Day weekend. The opening dates of those amenities are uncertain at this time.
The POA is investigating alternate locations to relocate the Beach Club’s watercraft, including kayaks, paddleboards and canoes, for later in the summer.
For more info on the aquatics amenities: tsawyer@bigcanoepoa.org.
Clubhouse – First of all, the Clubhouse has extended its Sunday hours. Dining is now available until 7 p.m. on Sundays, with the last seating at 6 p.m. And remember to lock in a reservation by calling (706) 268-1253 or using the Open Table app when you sign onto bigcanoepoa.org.
The Clubhouse, normally closed for dining on Mondays, is open noon-6 p.m. on Monday, May 31 to better accommodate the three-day weekenders. In the outdoor dining tradition so associated with the holiday, the Clubhouse staff will host a cookout that day on the adjacent patio. Look for traditional grilled eats – think burgers, classic sides, etc. – to go along with the Clubhouse’s regular menu served from its regular kitchen.
In honor of those who served in our armed forces, the Clubhouse will leave a table open as a symbolic Memorial Day recognition to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Note that the Clubhouse will be closed on Tuesday, June 1.
Racquet Club – Look for tennis and pickleball round robin socials on Monday, May 31. This will feature rotating partners for play, so it’s a great way to meet new people and play with different partners. There will be prizes for the best and worst play.
With a limit of 32 tennis and 20 pickleball players, participants will arrive at 8:45 a.m. and play 9-11 a.m. The Racquet Club will then serve hamburgers and hot dogs at 11:30 a.m. to the players after the event.
Cost: $15.00 per member, $25 per non-members. Registration info: (706) 268-3367
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