By Captain Tyler Ryan
“It all started with some hot dogs and a grill,” says Wacky Wednesday Foundation Founder Ken Jones says of the weekly party he now hosts every Wednesday during the summer at Sandy Beach, where it is not unusual to find a hundred boats.
What started as a simple mid-week break and a way to enjoy the lake without all of the boat traffic on a Saturday, has become a “thing” with a mission – to raise money for local children centric organizations.
Lifelong Lexington and Lake resident Jones, recalls becoming tired of how busy the lake was getting on the weekends and told his friends that he was going to head out on Wednesday afternoon.
A few friends joined him, and as the summer weeks rolled on, more and more people found their way to Sandy Beach to enjoy a quiet afternoon and dog, before going out their business, but always with the “see you next week,” promise.
The following spring, Jones decided he wanted to do it again, but maybe organize it a little. He reached out to Carolina Wings owner Rob Schoolmeester who agreed to provide some food, and then he started spreading the word.
A few weeks into the second year, the word was spreading, and what had been ten or twelve weekly visitors was becoming much more. More people were joining the party, and staying longer.
By the time the third season came around, “Wacky Wednesday” as it had become known was something that people looked forward to fifteen or so times a summer.
It wasn’t only boaters who planned their weeks around Wednesday. Other restaurants and businesses were starting to take notice also, as a unique way to market their businesses, and wanted to be a part of it.
Jimmy Johns, and others saw the benefit in an attentive, hungry audience sitting on the beach, and would bring food, set up tents, have giveaways and more.
Jones says it was the following year that things started becoming the Wacky we know now. “It was probably in the fourth year that using Wacky as a vehicle to help raise money for a local charity made sense.” Jones and his wife Sharon partnered with Homeless No More, an organization that helps shelter and stabilize families. He started asking the folks who showed up for a small donation, as they enjoyed networking, or a game of cornhole. Small donations quickly became something that made people take notice. Jones says that they raised $10,000 that first year for the Organization.
Covid, like most every other business or organization, had a negative impact on the fledgling charity. “As soon as I had the momentum rolling, Covid hit, and tore everything down,” Jones says.
After a year of restrictions on visiting islands, tying boats off, and other restrictions we all remember, when Wacky returned, it was time to “ramp things up.”
He invited DJ’s out to spin music, had even more food, and businesses wanting to be a part, and even a local Meteorologist Boat Captain would emcee for the growing crowd all wanting to “network for a cause.”
Two summers ago, the Wacky Wednesday Foundation, as it became, partnered with The Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter in Lexington. Their mission is to provide a safe place and family environment to children who wouldn’t traditionally have either.
Executive Director Ryan Taylor remembers when Jones reached out to him to use the Foundation as a vehicle to raise money, it was an immediate “yes,” he recalls.
As much fun as Wednesday’s are there is more asked of beach goers who enjoy the day. The Foundation is involved in the Community beyond sunny mid-week afternoons, and as such, encourages people to take part in lake cleanups, and other lake centric initiatives.
With each summer, the mid-week party grows, not only in the amount of attendees, but also with partners, and even the Foundation itself…Oh, and there is the sea plane… The Wacky Wednesday Foundation earned its 501(c)3 as a non-profit, and with it, the Board of Directors, with Jones serving as the Executive Director, works well beyond Wednesday’s and even Nancy K. Perry.
“We now have corporate sponsors who share the vision and passion, and have really stepped up,” Jones says, including the 2026 Title Sponsor, Captain’s Choice Marine.
The Foundation is also very proud of the partnership with SC Department of Natural Resources and the Lexington and Richland County Sheriff’s Departments. “DNR is right there…litterally steps away,” Jones laughs, pointing to the fact that the home of Sandy Beach is Bundrick Island, which happens to be the Headquarters for SCDNR and Lexington County Marine Operations on the lake. Sea Tow also often helps with traffic control and works to keep boaters safe as they come and go.
Wacky Wednesday runs through Labor Day, each Wednesday, starting “officially” at noon, however, with the amount of people who seem to not have to work on Wednesday, a pro tip: get there a little early, as 100-200 “Wack-O’s” will be headed that way.
Look for the “Wacky Wednesday Foundation” Group Page on Facebook for updates and more information on this great way to enjoy fellowship and help the Children.
(Captain Tyler Ryan runs Lake Murray Boat Tours, and serves as the Foundation’s President)
