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May 06, 2023

Northwest Water Carnival's 10

DETROIT LAKES — The 87th Northwest Water Carnival will be jam-packed with summer

DETROIT LAKES — The 87th Northwest Water Carnival will be jam-packed with summer fun during its 10-day run on July 14-23 in Detroit Lakes.

More than 65 events are on the schedule, including a mixture of new and old — as well as a few events that are returning from hiatus.

"Gretchen Hunter at Hub 41 said they haven't done Breakfast Off the Beach in four years," said Garrett Malstrom, the water carnival's co-admiral for 2023 (along with Kyle Pereira). "That event — which is July 15 from 8 to 11 a.m. — will be a fun one to bring back."

The Sailboat Regatta, which was a new event last year, will be returning on Saturday, July 15 as well, with Malstrom and Charlie "Skip" Honke at the helm. Though Honke is "super-pumped" to be bringing the event back for a second go-round, there is a bittersweet aspect to its planning, Malstrom noted. Sadly, the organizer of the inaugural Sailboat Regatta will not be returning, as Water Carnival stalwart Kate Spaeth died unexpectedly in January, at age 39.

Spaeth's favorite event, the Pup Plunge, has been renamed in her honor, Malstrom added. The Kate Spaeth Memorial Pup Plunge is set to take place as part of the Family Day lineup of activities at the City Park and City Beach on Sunday, July 16. It will get underway at 2 p.m.

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There are a couple of new Family Day events planned as well, Malstrom said, including a LEGO Building Competition at 11 a.m. and a Kids Tell Dad Jokes event (which is just what it sounds like) at 1 p.m.

But there are plenty of returning Family Day events on the schedule as well, from the trolley rides and family picnic to the sand castle contest and turtle/frog races. And that's not all that will be returning.

"We're also bringing the Chili Cook-Off back, and pairing it with the Home Brew Beer Tasting," Malstrom said. "Both events will be hosted by Bucks Mill Brewing on Saturday, July 22 (from 12-3 p.m.)."

The popular helicopter rides are also returning to the schedule this year (after a one-year absence), with Water Carnival attendees having an opportunity to take to the skies above Detroit Lakes throughout the festival's final weekend, July 21-23.

And that's not all that's on the schedule for the final weekend: The extremely popular "Kegs and Eggs with K-FAN" will be back on Friday, July 21, which is also the beginning of the two-day Bash on the Beach. The concert lineup for this year's Bash will feature 90s alt-rock icons Everclear as headliners on Friday, July 21, with opener Born Too Late, and country favorite Craig Morgan as headliner on Saturday, July 22, with Nashville singer-songwriter Antonio Moraes as his opening act.

Here's a little sneak peek at the full 10-day schedule:

Additionally, the curfew in City Park will be extended to midnight on July 17 and 19, following the Xtreme Tippy Cup and Water Fight events. The park will remain open until 1 a.m. on July 21 and 22, following both Bash on the Beach performances. For a full schedule, visit the Jaycees website, dljaycees.com/water-carnival, which also has tickets on sale for both Bash on the Beach concerts.

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