DETROIT LAKES — Music filled the City Beach in Detroit Lakes on Friday, as October Road and Born Too Late played to concertgoers during the kick-off party for the 86th Northwest Water Carnival.
The July 8 event is usually held in the street on West Lake Drive, but, due to ongoing road construction and traffic worries, the concert was moved to the beach to the delight of event organizers and music fans alike.
Kasey Fetzer, co-admiral for the water carnival, said she felt "relieved" the kick-off for the annual event was finally here and residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the the next 10 days backed by a host of volunteers organized by the Detroit Lakes Jaycees.
"Now it's here and now we can just enjoy it, there's no stopping it, it's happening and I love it," said Fetzer. "We've been really working as a team ... everybody comes out, they show up, they work hard, they want to do their part, and it's really appreciated"
One kick-off concertgoer has attended more than 60 water carnivals in Detroit Lakes over the course of her life and said these two-weeks will always have a special place in her memories.
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"I've probably been coming to them since I was three," said Krista Korth. "There is nothing like this. I don't think you find this anywhere else."
Korth said she loves watching the annual water fights in the City Park, which will take place on Wednesday, July 13 this year. She is also an avid Bingo player and will be attending that event on Thursday, July 14.
October Road headlined the kick-off event; the opening act, Born Too Late, featured a group of siblings and high schoolers from the Duluth/Superior-area .
Rokkyn Nelson, 15, lead singer for Born Too Late, said this wasn't the group's first time playing on a beach.
"We play weddings as well, so there was a beautiful wedding on a beach in the Duluth area," she said. "It's a little tricky setting up on the sand, but it's beautiful, you get to look over your shoulder and see (the lake) and we got the sunset and everything. It was super nice."
Traxx Nelson, 17, guitar/vocals for Born Too Late and Rokkyn's brother, said they had just played an event for Lakeshirts last month and one of their staff members thought they'd be a good fit for the kick-off party too. He added that both he and his sister got into music at a very young age because both music and different creative-types run deep in their family.
"Our whole family is into the performing arts scene in Superior and they are all very creative," he said. "We have dancers, baton twirlers, musicians, carpenters, painters, everything like that, so we have a very creative family ... and it really kind of evolved from there."
Traxx Nelson said the whole band was grateful to be able to play in front of people who maybe hadn't seen them before and they would love to come back in the future.
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