Detroit Lakes firefighters reclaim Northwest Water Carnival water fights title

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – When the last sprinkles from the hoses finally settled at City Park on Wednesday night, the Detroit Lakes Fire Department reclaimed, what they considered, their rightful place as 2023 Northwest Water Carnival water fight champions.

In a marathon final against a water fighting team from Strehlow Insulation, the Detroit Lakes fire fighters took back the coveted title that was lost to a team from out-of-state during last year’s fights.

Detroit Lakes Fire Chief Mike Hanson said he couldn’t be more proud of the team they put forward this year.

“All five of those guys put in a lot of work,” said Hanson. “They all did good. They all came home soaked, but, all five, they did a great job.”

Even though a heavy rain storm moved through the area about 30 minutes before the event’s start time in City Park, the crowds returned and filled the grounds with cheers and excitement, which is something Hanson loves about Detroit Lakes and the water carnival.

“It’s always great to get the community together,” he said. “Everybody is so positive. It’s such a great time at the Water Carnival. It’s the 87th annual this year, so a really great showing for everybody to be out there. We got lucky, it’s been some great weather. A little shower at the beginning, but I think we all wanted that anyway just for our lawns and all the crops around here to keep everything a little bit wetter. There was still a lot of people there throughout the night and it was an exciting atmosphere.”

Friday’s Northwest Water Carnival events include Kegs and Eggs with KFAN’s Power Trip morning show at the Pavilion until 9 a.m., followed by airboat and helicopter rides at City Beach and the Becker County Fairgrounds beginning at 1 p.m. Kids may also enjoy the large inflatable play area that will be running from 3-8 p.m. before Everclear hits the Bash on the Beach stage with gates opening at 6 p.m. at the Pavilion.