Preparations underway for 2024 Northwest Water Carnival; new co-admirals selected

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Preparations are already underway for next year’s 88th annual Northwest Water Carnival in 2024 following the announcement of the festival’s new co-admirals by the Detroit Lakes Jaycees on Monday.

Rachel Kohler and Jack LaBarre were selected by the group to lead planning and the organization of next year’s summer festival.

Kohler said she didn’t think she would ever want the co-admiral job after watching the stress level of others steering the annual 10-day, event-filled party with tens of thousands of dollars on the line. 

“I’ve been to many Water Carnivals and then when I became a Jaycee, I actually thought to myself, ‘I don’t think I’d even want that job,’ just because I watched what they kind of do,” said Kohler. “And, holy buckets, they do a lot.”

But, she said, when she was asked, she knew she’d regret it, if she turned down the opportunity.

“I went into this year thinking it was my final year,” she said. “After thinking about it, you’d just regret it if you didn’t do it.”

She also said her and Labarre should work well together since their personalities are complementary and they can fill in each other’s weaknesses. Adding, they both have different tastes in music which should bring a slight pivot to the artists that will be booked next year.

Kohler also said she saw a few things over the last two weeks that she wants to adjust for next year’s Water Carnival.

“A lot of people left out of the Bash on the Beach area to go get food,” said Kohler. “So, maybe bringing in a vendor or two … so you don’t actually have to leave the barricades, but can stay inside the Bash area and get food.”

She also said the Jaycees need a lot more help and volunteers for next year’s Water Carnival because this year’s festival was staffed by about 20 people for the whole 10 days. Kohler encouraged anyone between 19 to 40 years old to seriously consider joining the Jaycees to help bolster their volunteers and attendance at all of the group’s future events.

“On top of just making new friends, that feels more like a family than friends, just that giving back to the community is what really drives me to continue to do it,” said Kohler. “I always want to be that person that is out there giving back more than receiving. So, if that’s something that you are interested in, than this is definitely the group that you want to join.”

For more information about the Jaycees, or to reach out about joining the volunteer service organization, visit the Jaycees Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/dljaycees.

The 88th Northwest Water Carnival will be held from July 12 to July 21, 2024.