The Lure of Lake Anna 2023

6 The Central Virginian • 2023 • Lure of Lake Anna Lake Anna’s first camping destination, Christopher Run Campground, has been here al - most as long as the lake. It was established by Sam and Jean Bazzanella in 1973, a year after the lake was filled by Hurricane Agnes. Now, the campground that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year is celebrating its 50th year of business. Christopher Run Campground celebrates 50 years The campground offers a lake retreat for visitors from far and wide. Aside from its forested campgrounds, it features a na - ture trail, a minigolf course, a convenient store, playgrounds and basketball courts, but the main appeal is of course Lake Anna. “The lake is what everyone’s attracted to,” says Sammy Kel - ley, the Bazzanella’s grandson, who nowmanages the property with his wife Emily. “I couldn’t imagine running a campground without a destination. That lake is the attraction.” Back in 1973, the Bazzanella family was displeased to hear they would be losing 40 acres of farmland to the lake. But they made the best of the situation by building a boat ramp and camping area. Soon enough, passersby started asking to use the boat ramp. Not long after, Jean Bazzanella had the idea to start a camping business. It started with 60 camp - grounds, which Jean says would fill up every weekend. Now, Christopher Run has 200 campgrounds, and still has to turn customers away during busy weekends after it reaches capacity.