Northwest Water Carnival

When Dave and Melissa Opsahl were named as Admirals for the 74th Northwest Water Carnival, they had no idea what they were in for.

“At first it was kind of easy, not a lot to do, but when January hit it became busy,” said Melissa of their responsibilities, which include organizing “just about everything” for the 10-day event.

“Nobody from the past 73 years tells you how hard it is,” said Dave. “It’s fun, but it’s a lot of work.”

This month, the couple’s dedication, planning and extensive use of cell phone minutes will pay off. The entire Detroit Lakes area will appreciate their efforts throughout 10 days worth of traditional Water Carnival fun, food and sun, with a few fresh activities thrown in, including a geocache and a polka at the Pavilion.

Schedule of Events

Friday, July 10

Noon – 4th Annual

Habitat for Humanity

Golf Scramble, Forest

Hills

7 p.m. – Miss Northwest

Pageant, Historic Holmes

Theatre

Saturday, July 11

7-9 a.m. – Detroit Lakes

Midsummer Bike Tour,

DL Pavilion

9 a.m. – Water Carnival

Swim, DL Pavilion

9 a.m. – Jaycee Geocache,

DL Pavilion

9-11 a.m. – Fly-in and

Pancake Breakfast, DL

Airport

10 a.m. – Kids’ Midsummer

Bike Tour, DL Pavilion

6 p.m. – Demolition Derby,

Becker County

Fairgrounds

Sunday, July 12

7 p.m. – DL Angels Baseball

Game, Washington Park

8 p.m. – Great American

Trailer Park Musical,

Historic Holmes Theatre

Monday, July 13

6 p.m. – Junior NWC

Pageant, DL Pavilion

8 p.m. – Great American

Trailer Park Musical,

Historic Holmes Theatre

Tuesday, July 14

10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Farmer’s

Market, DL City Park

7 p.m. – Water Carnival

Talent Show, DL

Pavilion

Wednesday, July 15

4 p.m. until hat is found –

Great Admiral’s Hat

Hunt, Detroit Lakes

4-6 p.m. – NWC Open Swim

Meet, DLCCC – Aquatics

Center

6-6:30 p.m. – Jr. Water

Fights, DL City Park

6-6:30 – Water Balloon

Toss, DL City Park

6:30-7 – Ice Cream Social,

DL City Park

7-9 p.m. Water Fights, DL

City Park

Thursday, July 16

1-10 p.m. – 15th Annual

NWC Legion Baseball

Classic, Washington

Park

5-10 p.m. – Bingo, DL

Pavilion

7-10 p.m. Beer Tasting/

Home Brew Contest,

Zorbaz

7:30 p.m. – Kathryn

Knuttila Piano

Performance, Historic

Holmes Theatre

Friday, July 17

1-10 p.m. – 15th Annual

NWC Legion Baseball

Classic, Washington

Park

3-9 p.m. – Inflatable Games,

DL City Park

5 p.m. – Water Carnival All-

Comers Track Meet,

Mollberg Field – DLHS

7-11 p.m. – Polka at the

Pavilion, DL Pavilion

Saturday, July 18

7 a.m. – NWC Fun

Run/Walk, DL Pavilion

9 a.m. – Pet Show, DL City

Park

9 a.m.-10 p.m. – NWC

Softball Tournament,

Snappy Park

9 a.m.-10 p.m. – 15th

Annual NWC Legion

Baseball Classic,

Washington Park

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Chili

and Salsa Cook-off, DL

Pavilion

10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Farmer’s

Market – DL City Park

10:30-11:30 a.m. – Pet &

Doll Parade, Washington

Avenue

11 a.m.- 2 p.m. – Classic Car

Show, DL City Park

11:30 a.m. – Family Picnic,

DL City Park

12 p.m. – Kid’s Show, DL

City Park Bandshell

12-9 p.m. – Inflatable

Games, DL City Park

1-6 p.m. – Bean Bag

Tournament, DL

Pavilion Beer Garden

1 p.m. – Frog Jump/Turtle

Race, DL City Park

2 p.m. Build Time; Race

2:30 p.m. – Ship Building

Contest, DL Pavilion

3-3:30 p.m. – Old Fashioned

Kids Games, DL Pavilion

3-4 p.m. Sand Castle

Building Contest – DL

Pavilion

4-4:30 p.m. – Sand Treasure

Dig, DL Pavilion

Saturday, July 18

Music Acts

10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Island

Time, DL Pavilion Beer

Garden

1-5 p.m. – Show Tyme DJ

Service, DL Pavilion

Beer Garden

5-7 p.m. – Tim Eggebraaten,

DL Pavilion Beer Garden

8 p.m.-12 midnight – Bash

on the Beach – October

Road, DL Pavilion Beer

Garden

Sunday, July 19

8-11:30 a.m. – Knights of

Columbus Pancake

Breakfast, DL Pavilion

12-5 p.m. – 15th Annual

NWC Legion Baseball

Classic, Washington

Park

12:45-1 p.m. – Classic Car

Cruise, Washington Ave

1-3:30 p.m. Parade of the

Northwest, Washington

Avenue

Despite all the toil that the two have put into preparing for this year’s Water Carnival, their excitement is evident.

“For me, it’s the enjoyment of doing something everyone in town knows about,” said Dave.

“There are no other service organizations in our area that do a 10-day event,” said Melissa. “And this is the longest running event in Minnesota — it’s a big deal.”

With most activities accessible via a $2 button, it’s a big deal with a small cost that can’t possibly be passed up.

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