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In the days before texting, tanning booths, sunblock, and fatfree ice cream, back before the Trolley was red or today’s classic cars were classic, the Jaycees were throwing an annual summer celebration that hasn’t stopped making waves since. Seventy-five years after its inception, the Northwest Water Carnival is still a yearly highlight in the lakes area, making it one of Minnesota’s longest running festivals and an excellent opportunity for tourists and residents alike to jump into 10 days of all Detroit Lakes has to offer. And, as it turns out, Detroit Lakes has quite a bit to offer. This year’s Water Carnival, scheduled for Friday, July 9 through Sunday, July 18, boasts 60 exciting events – up 12 from last year – over 10 jam-packed days, a feat accomplished by 50-plus membership in the Jaycees. “We have the people power to make it all happen,” Johnna Thorson said. Thorson, who served as the club’s president last year, is sharing this year’s Water Carnival admiralship with husband Chris and their fellow Jaycees Nathan and Jackie Weber. “We have 35 years of Water Carnival experience between the four of us,” Thorson said. “We knew we could work together to make it a good year.” Thorson noted that good communication between the quadmirals has kept everyone involved in the planning process and helped them find that four heads are better than one when troubleshooting and trying to make the 75th anniversary the best Water Carnival yet. “When you get to the 75th year, you want it to be special,” Thorson said. “We’ve added lots of little things. We have 16 new or
Washington Avenue will be packed with spectators for the Parade of the Northwest Sunday, July 18. resurrected events.” After questions from community members about why certain events have been absent in recent years, the admirals realized many current Jaycees hadn’t been involved long enough to realize what Water Carnival week was missing. This year, veteran attendees will see old favorites return, like the watermelon feed, boat parade, toddler trot, and water ski show. The Winnipeg Police pipe and drum band will also be back to march in the finale Parade of the Northwest, a continual favorite that Thorson promises will be “as fun as always.” This summer will also see the return of bed racing, which will ask teams of five to form, raise funds, decorate beds, and race them through the City Park parking lot while onlookers enjoy ice cream, compliments of their Water Carnival buttons. All pledges will go to the Lakes Crisis and Resource Center to purchase new
beds and bedding. “We’re bringing (old events) back to breathe some new life into them and shake things up a bit,” Thorson said. Like every year since 1935, fresh events have also been added to the lineup. These include a reception for past queens following the Miss Northwest Pageant, a kickoff dance, the incorporation of Water Carnival-themed library programs, a tennis tournament, and a youth basketball competition. Admirals are also looking to make a tribute to Water Carnival’s history. “We are hoping to get classic cars to represent each year for the classic car cruise,” Thorson said. “We’d love to see it happen.” Anyone with a classic car dating from the past 75 years is asked to contact the admirals if they are interested in lending it to the cause. CARNIVAL to page 5