It is a jam-packed, star-studded summer at the Marina!
Weather and lake conditions can cause cancellations. Watch our Facebook and Instagram pages for events updates.
Up the Creek Kayak Challenge
Saturday, July 18, 2026
6-mile course • Paddle breaks along the course • All skill levels
8am check-in • Bring your own gear • Grand and raffle prizes
Participation fee: $50
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Start-Finish in Marina Cove, follow a pre-mapped course with stops along the route.
The challenge: Collect playing cards. Like a poker run, choose a playing card at each stop, play an easy, fun game. Kayaker with the highest poker hand wins a ½-day pontoon rental.
It’s not about speed. It’s your choice: Paddle to all or some stops, go at your own pace. We encourage your return by noon for the raffle drawings and awarding of the grand prize to the high hand.
Lunch, raffle ticket, goody-bag, event t-shirt are included. Breakfast, drinks, snacks are available for sale on the patio.
Raffle and goody-bag items donated by many of our local merchants.
The event usually wraps up by 1:00, but you are welcome to relax on the patio or kayak the lake on your own.
We appreciate (and depend on) your patronage. BYO drinks and coolers are not allowed on the patio.
Credit card purchases are accepted. Tipping is cash-only.
Summer-Long Family-Fun Fishing Contest
June through August
Youth 17 and under • Catches after May 1 • Weekly drawings for gift certificates
Every entry considered for grand prizes at conclusion of contest
Participation fee: It’s free!
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Categories: 1- Catfish, 2- Bass, 3- Crappie, 4- Sunfish, and 5- Other.
- Any species in each fish category.
- Other: rough fish, turtle, crawfish, snake, frog, lizard, butterfly, etc. – anything goes!
- Each week a name is drawn from each category, and the winner receives a gift certificate.
- Every entry is considered for prizes at conclusion of contest
GRAND PRIZE: five $100 gift certificates (one in each category)
GRAND PRIZE: lifetime fishing license
GRAND PRIZE: family fishing trip with Joe -
Email a photo of your 17 and under with their catch to [email protected]
- Include name of youth, age, when and where fish was caught, and contact phone number
- Winners are announced on the Flint Hills Life Channel, Phil’s “What’s in Outdoors” radio show, and on Council Grove Marina’s social media pages.
- For more information, please contact Phil Taunton, [email protected] or 620-794-5373.
Sponsors in addition to Council Grove Marina
- What’s in Outdoors with Phil Taunton: Listen every Friday morning on KVOE Live & Local 1400 AM, 96.9 FM, KVOE.com, join us on Facebook @WhatsInOutdoorsKS
- Flint Hills Life Channel: Features news, events and human interest stories involving 9 counties in the Flint Hills, Facebook @FHLCHL, email [email protected], online flinthillslife.com
- Thump 30 Guide Service: Joe Bragg full time guide/tournament angler, Kansas Crappie Club Founder/Tournament Director, American Crappie Trail Pro, Pro Team @ Zman Fishing Products, Cabela’s Pro Staff Member, call Joe at 785-408-3172, visit thump30.com
- Council Grove Republican: Official city and county newspaper, published daily except Saturday and Sunday on the Santa Fe Trail, online councilgroverepublican.com, Facebook @councilgroverepublican, email [email protected], 620-767-5123.
- FishKS: KDWP Aquatic Education Program similar to Hunter Education where volunteers can become certified angler instructors who coordinate and assist with fishing events statewide, online ksoutdoors.com/Fishing.
- O.K. Kids: ODWC Aquatic Resources Education Program promotes the sport of fishing and aquatic resource awareness as a way to give youth an opportunity to learn about Oklahoma’s aquatic environments and how to fish, online wildlifedepartment.com.
- Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
May 30
D & The Deckhands 7pm
One night on the docks singing tunes at the Walnut Valley Sailing Club on El Dorado Lake turned into a group of friends playing gigs. They love oldies and lots of good classic tunes, and so do we!
June 5
Savanna Chestnut 7pm
Savanna is a native of the Flint Hills and music has since taken her all across the country, even to season 20 of The Voice on NBC! Savanna has her own unique, yet nostalgic country style. We can’t wait to have her at the lake, thanks to a couple of Marina friends!
June 12 | July 18 | August 15 | September 12
Lizardskin Karaoke 6pm
Lizardskin makes it happen! Rob and Carmen are so much fun and they bring 1000s of songs with them! This parrot cannot sing a note – but they can and most of you can too, so come on out and join in the fun!
June 20
Allie Jensen 7pm
Allie hails from Manhattan and grew up immersed in music! She enjoys singing and playing guitar, offering fresh interpretations of songs by artists such as George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Tyler Childers, Turnpike Troubadours, and many others.
June 27
M31 7pm
Rock / Boogie Blues, views, crew and of course margaritas on the Parrot Patio! We can’t wait to have the amazing M31 back at the lake! Again, our thanks to a couple of Marina friends!
July 4
Stars & Stripes at the Lake Noon to 4pm
It’s a traditional pot-luck 4th of July block party! Free food and fun for everyone! We are grilling hot dogs and burgers; you bring the sides! Meal served from 12 to 1. Donations welcome. There will be a variety of games set up all around the Cove to test your skill and challenge your friends. No fireworks.
July 11
Host Jornal Miller Memorial Fishing Tournament
We’ll be hosting the annual Rippin’ Lips Catfish Classic once again. Check-in begins at 7am, rules meeting at 8am, shotgun start at 8:30am. Watch the Jordan Lee Miller Memorial Facebook page for all the details.
July 11
Rudy & The Lost Boys 7pm
They were the first to perform on the dock and we are tickled to have them back again! These guys have our hearts, now let’s grab their first CD titled That’s Life! (and other platitudes)! This parrot’s favorite: “Rose Colored Glasses”… It’s sooo good!
September 20, 25-26
Drink the Marina Dry
50% off all food and drinks (except margaritas and 12-packs). This is our end-of-season Parrot Patio inventory clear-out. We’d rather you take it so we don’t have to haul it out.
September 27
Parrot Patio closed for the season. See ya next year!