DETROIT LAKES
79th Northwest
UNIQUE COCKTAILS
Water Carnival
CLASSIC GASTRO PUB MENU
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKWAY SUITE 111 • DETROIT LAKES 218.844.5932 HOURS: MONDAY-THURSDAY 11AM-12AM FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11AM-1AM SUNDAY 11AM-11PM
JULY 11-20, 2014
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904 Lake Ave Suite 1 | Detroit Lakes, MN • 218-847-2142
BY KRISTIN MILLER
kmiller@dlnewspapers.com
The 79th Northwest Carnival is set to kick off July 11, and this year’s admirals have had their work cut out for them with more than 60 individual events taking place over the carnival’s 11 days. Admirals Nick Omberg and Tom Winters have been responsible for organizing the events and making sure 2014 will be a carnival to remember. “It’s not a one-person job anymore,” Omberg said about all of the work that goes into organizing the carnival. In many past years, one admiral has been chosen to lead the Water Carnival. Recent years, however, have brought an increase in attendance and number of events, prompting the move to nominate two admirals per year. This year’s admirals both live in Detroit Lakes. Omberg has lived here his entire life, and Winters moved here four years ago from Sauk Centre. They have both been involved with the Jaycees since 2010, and have seen membership grow over the past few years from 60 members to around 80. That membership base has provided much needed support as the two took on the task of planning the Water Carnival. “A lot of new members are stepping up, which is awesome,” Winters said. Jaycees members serve as
Water Carnival Admirals Nick Omberg and Tom Winters expect this year’s carnival to be a success and look forward to a big-name band and new derby competition. chairpersons for all of the carnival’s events and keep things running smoothly during the festivities. However, much of the work that goes into planning out events and booking entertainment has been done by Omberg and Winters. One big get for the two was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, who will be playing Bash on the Beach on Saturday, July 19. The concert, and Parade of the Northwest the following morning, are the two biggest carnival events and will cap off a year’s worth of work for the pair. “What’s done is done,” Omberg said about reaching the culmination of their efforts, adding that he will be happy to “kick back and enjoy everything” as the band takes the stage. Something else they’re both excited to see this year is a special demolition derby match, deemed a “dealership grudge match.” The event will feature cars put together by local auto dealers, with the winner taking home a
trophy. The first-time event, to be held before the derby finals on July 12, is expected to be repeated during future carnivals. “Hopefully it will gain momentum over the years,” Winters said, with the trophy traveling between yearly winners. Proceeds raised from the carnival’s events will go to local charities and nonprofit organizations. Arrangements have already been made for money raised from the Bed Races to go to the Food for Thought Backpack Program of Becker County. The program provides weekend meals for qualifying area students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Other charitable donations are still to be determined. “We’ll see how everything goes…we have to make some money first,” Omberg said. The Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, set to open this November, has been among doADMIRALS to page 10