Detroit Lakes 81st Northwest
Water Carnival FRIDAY, JULY 8 - SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2016
Meet the 2016 Admirals Anna Schumacher
aschumacher@dlnewspapers.com
The Northwest Water Carnival in Detroit Lakes will be celebrating its 81st year this July, and admirals Chris and Alyson Larson are confident that it will be a blast. With the help of their fellow Jaycees, they’re bringing back favorite carnival activities and planning new events for the ten day long celebration of the community.
Meet the Larsons
Detroit Lakes couple Chris and Alyson Larson have been married for eight years. They moved to the area in 2011 when Alyson took over the position of pharmacy manager at CVS Pharmacy in Detroit Lakes. Chris Larson works as a crane operator and instructor for the
North Dakota National Guard in Fargo. Three years ago, they decided to join the Jaycees to get more involved in the community. “We were looking for a way to meet people of our own age when we moved into town, and it was recommended by a neighbor that we should check out the Jaycees,” Alyson Larson said. “It’s been a great way for us to meet people, meet the community, meet the businesses.” “We’ve had a great time. We went from having a lot of free time to not so much, ” added her husband, Chris. As admirals, the Larsons are responsible for organizing events, booking entertainment and finding venues for the various happenings during the carnival. Other mem-
Split Personality Ruud® high efficiency heat pump systems keep your home the most comfortable at any outdoor temperature.
218-847-7459
218-847-7542
Detroit Lakes, MN www.modernheatingandplumbing.com
001444740r1
“For Your Family’s Comfort”
bers of the Jaycees are appointed as chairpersons for specific events, while the Larsons are in the background offering support for anyone who requires it. During the Carnival, the Larsons will be present for almost all the events. “Once it starts, we’re there to make sure it continues to run smoothly. Event chairs are named for each specific event. We’re right there to back them up if there’s anything they need,” explained Alyson.
Why they were chosen
Every year at the closing of the Northwest Water Carnival, usually right after the big parade, the current Jaycee president selects the next year’s admiral or admirals. “It’s a big honor to be asked, so we were very excited when they asked us” said Alyson Larson about the couple’s appointment to the position. The Jaycees, when they chose the Larsons, must have taken into account their obvious ability to work together as a couple. Being in charge of the water Carnival appears to have been a fun and time consuming undertaking for the pair. Chris admits that it has been a busy year but also that they’ve had plenty of help. “Everyday it gets a little more busy,” he said. “We have a lot of good help and a lot of good people. Everybody takes their piece of the puzzle; it’s not all just us.” Alyson, too, has noticed that the Carnival has become a very big part of their lives. “I don’t know what we’ll talk about as a married couple when Water Carnival is over,” she joked.
Chris and Alyson Larson were chosen as co-admirals for the 81st Annual Northwest Water Carnival, which opens this Friday, July 8 and continues through Sunday. July 17.
Keep the old, bring in the new
In addition to the usual Water Carnival events, Chris Larson has come up with a new way to begin the Carnival: a Kickoff Party. The free party will be held in the Lakeside parking lot at 7 p.m. on June 8. It will feature live music by area musicians and promises to be great fun. Leighton broadcasting will also be holding a Wefest ticket qualifier during the party. On that same morning, the Larsons will be up bright and
early for the 5 a.m. “Kegs and Eggs” event with the hosts of KFAN Power Trip Morning Show. It’s a sports-centered talk show based out of Minneapolis that will feature an interview with a Minnesota sports icon. Saturday, June 9 also holds lots of fun activities for participants. The morning will be oriented around fitness activities including paddle board races, Maniacs in the Sand, and Beast on the Beach, a strongman competition open to all. A admirals to page 6