Family fun-filled week is ahead

Glenwood’s 67th annual Waterama gets underway this week and visitors from all over come to Glenwood and the Lake Minnewaska area for one of the oldest continuous summer celebrations in Minnesota.

Waterama 2023 will again feature all the fun-filled family activities for which it has become known.  Just some of those activities include street dances, food and merchandise vendors in the Glenwood City Park, a Grande Day Parade (Sunday), Kiddie Parade, junior and senior Waterama queen coronations, sports tournaments, laser tag, the unique Pontoon/Boat Parade, fireworks, waterski shows and much more.

The Grand Marshals of this year’s Grande Day Parade are the Pope County Law Enforcement officers including Pope County Sheriff’s Office, the Glenwood and Starbuck Police officers.  

Honored in the Pontoon Parade will be Diane and Gerald Rust, lifetime residents of the Glenwood area.

The Waterama Street Dances this year will again feature two familiar bands– The Johnny Holm Band from 9 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. on Friday and Arch Allies from 9:30 p.m. until midnight on Saturday.  The street dances will be held in front of Lakeside Ballroom on Lake Minnewaska in Glenwood.

Pope County Law Enforcement honored  

In light of the tragedy that struck the community when Pope County Deputy Josh Owen was shot and killed in the line of duty in April, Waterama officials this year wanted to recognize all Pope County Law Enforcement officers and bring attention and appreciation to the dedicated officers for their service to the community.

That’s when it was decided that the Grand Marshal for the annual Waterama Grande Day Parade would be Pope County Law Enforcement.  While making their decision on the Grand Marshal, Waterama officials realized that local law enforcement agencies do not always receive as much support and recognition for the work they do to serve and protect the Pope County Community.  

This year, Pope County Sheriff Tim Riley and Pope County Chief Deputy Nathan Brecht will represent all local law enforcement and be riding at the front of the parade, which begins Sunday at 1 p.m.

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, July 25th

• 9 am  Medallion Hunt – 1st clue released on KMGK 107.1 FM and Glenwood Chamber 

of Commerce

• 9 am – 3 pm  Historical Exhibit by Pope County Museum at Eagle Bank Lobby

• 3 – 6 pm Ann Bickle Heritage House is open featuring Art by Faythe Mills

• 7 pm  Showstoppers, invite only for nursing home residents

Wednesday, July 26th

• 9 am  Medallion Hunt – 2nd  clue released on KMGK 107.1 FM and Glenwood Chamber 

of Commerce

• 9 am – 3 pm  Historical Exhibit by Pope County Museum at Eagle Bank Lobby

• 10 – 11 am Wonderful Waterama, with the Traveling Tree House, Barsness Park

• 3 – 6 pm Ann Bickle Heritage House is open featuring Art by Faythe Mills

• 7 pm  Showstoppers presents “The Adams Family,” at MAHS auditorium

Thursday, July 27th

• 9 am  Medallion Hunt – 3rd  clue released on KMGK 107.1 FM and Glenwood Chamber 

of Commerce

• 9 am – 3 pm  Historical Exhibit by Pope County Museum at Eagle Bank Lobby

• 9 am – 6 pm  Senior Citizen Craft Shack at Pope County Fairgrounds

• 9 am – 5 pm  Crazy Days at local businesses

• 9 am  Tennis tournament at MAHS/City Park tennis courts

• 12 pm – 12 am American Legion Post 187 & VFW Post 3815 Beer Gardens

• 3 – 6 pm Ann Bickle Heritage House is open featuring Art by Faythe Mills

• 4 – 8 pm Pickleball Tournament at the Glenwood City Park

• 7 pm  Showstoppers presents “The Adams Family” at MAHS auditorium

• 7 pm Basketball Shootout at City Park (Registration at 6:45)

• 7 pm Open Mic Night at Central Square

• 8 – 11 pm Glow Beach Party at City Park, music by Soulful Sounder. FREE giveaways

Friday, July 28th

• 9 am  Medallion Hunt – 4th clue released on KMGK 107.1 FM and Glenwood Chamber 

of Commerce

• 9 am – 1 pm Pickleball Tournament at the Glenwood City Park

• 9 am – 3 pm  Historical Exhibit by Pope County Museum at Eagle Bank Lobby

• 9 am – 6 pm  Senior citizen Craft Shack at Pope County Fairgrounds

• 9 am – 5 pm  Crazy Days at local businesses

• 9 am  Tennis tournament at MAHS/City Park tennis courts

• 10 am – 5 pm  City Park Boardwalk Sales at City Park

• 11:30 am Pie eating contest – Magnifi Financial

• 12 pm – 12 am American Legion Post 187 & VFW Post 3815 Beer Gardens

• 1 – 5 pm Pickleball Tournament at the Glenwood City Park

• 3 – 6 pm Ann Bickle Heritage House is open featuring Art by Faythe Mills

• 5 – 7 pm  Packet pickup and registration for Rotary 10K, 5K run/walk Glenwood State Bank 

Magic Mile at the Pope County Museum parking lot

• 5 – 8:30 pm Water Wars/Inflatables/Axe Throwing at City Park

• 6 pm  Senior & Junior Queen candidate revue at City Park Bandshell

•  6 – 7 pm Past Brass & Royalty Reception at Lakeside. *Everyone welcome.

•  7– 8 pm Admiral’s Reception at Lakeside. *Invite Only.

• 7 pm  Showstoppers presents “The Adams Family” at MAHS auditorium

• 9 pm – 12:30 am Street Dance featuring the Johnny Holm Band in front of 

  Lakeside Ballroom. Presale tickets at Screen Prints Plus until 3:00 pm on    

  Friday, July 28th. ($10 – cash or check only). Tickets $15 at the gate (Cash 

  only). CASH Bar only inside dance area for 21+ adults.

Saturday, July 29th 

• 6:30 – 11:30 am tee times Waterama Golf Tournament at Minnewaska 

   Golf Course

• 8 am – 1 pm Glenwood Public Library Used book sale, Glenwood 

   Public Library

• 8 am 45th annual Glenwood Rotary 10K, 5K run/walk and Glenwood 

     State Bank Magic Mile. 

• 8:30 – 11:30 am Pope County Farmers Market at Barsness Park

• 9 am Medallion Hunt – 5th clue released on KMGK 107.1 FM and Glenwood 

       Chamber of Commerce

• 9 am  Sand Sculpture Contest, south side City Beach

• 9 am  Sand Volleyball Tournament at Barsness Park (6 person co-ed)

• 9 am  44th annual Waterama softball tournament at Barsness Park

• 9 am – 12 pm  Car, Tractor and Motorcycle Show at Barsness Park

• 9 am – 6 pm  Senior citizen Craft Shack at Pope County Fairgrounds

• 9 am – 3 pm  Crazy Days at local businesses

• 9 am  Tennis tournament at MAHS/City Park tennis courts

• 9:30 am Yoga on the City Beach sponsored by Minnewaska Wellness & Fitness

• 9:30 am ASB Bean Bag tournament at Barsness Park (begins at 10:00)

• 10 am  Men’s Alumni soccer game at Museum Field

• 10 am – 5 pm  City Park Boardwalk Sales at City Park

• 11 am – 4 pm Ann Bickle Heritage House is open featuring Art by Faythe Mills

• 11 am  Swim races at City Beach for youth 18 & under

• 12 pm – 12 am American Legion Post 187 & VFW Post 3815 Beer Gardens

• 12 – 3 pm Ann Bickle Heritage House is open for tours

• 12 – 8 pm Water Wars/ Inflatables/Axe Throwing at City Park

• 1:30 pm 67th annual Kiddie Parade

• 2 pm Waterama Junior Royalty Coronation at City Park Bandshell

• 2 pm Terraplanes at the Ann Bickle Heritage House. 

• 2:30 – 5:30 pm Balloon art; Friendship bracelets (free event) at City Park

• 2:45 pm Registration ends for Kid’s Prize Giveaway

• 3 pm Waterama Kid’s Prize Giveaway at City Park

• 3:30 pm Kids Tractor Pull at City Park sponsored by Midwest Machinery

• 3:30 pm Axe Throwing contest between Waterama Brass and Glenwood Rotary at City Park

• 4 pm  Showstoppers presents “The Adams Family” at MAHS auditorium

• 6:30 pm Bald Eagle Water Ski Show on the shores of Lake Minnewaska near City Park

• 9:15 pm Midwest’s only lighted Pontoon Parade on the shores of Lake Minnewaska 

starting at City Beach

• 9 pm – 12 am Street Dance featuring Arch Allies in front of Lakeside Ballroom. Presale tickets 

at Screen Prints Plus until 3:00 pm on Friday, July 28th. ($10 – cash or check only). Tickets $15 at 

the gate (Cash only). CASH Bar only inside dance area for 21+ adults.

• 10 pm  Fireworks display over Lake Minnewaska (rain date July 30th)

Sunday, July 30th

• 8 am – 11:30 am Annual Rotary Pancake breakfast & Sausage feed at City Park

• 9 am  Tennis tournament at MAHS/City Park tennis courts

• 9:30 am  Community Church service at the City Park Bandshell

• 10 am – 5 pm City Park Boardwalk sales at City Park

• 10:30 am Visiting Queens Welcome luncheon, invite only. Rolling Forks Vineyards

• 11 am – 5 pm Water Wars/Inflatables/Axe Throwing at City Park

• 12 pm – 12am American Legion Post 187 & VFW Post 3815 Beer Gardens

• 1 pm  Waterama Grande Day Parade

• 3 – 5:30 pm Cimarron in City Park

• 3:30 pm Bald Eagle Water Ski Show on the shores of Lake Minnewaska near City Park

• 6 pm Waterama Senior Royalty Coronation at City Park Bandshell

• 7 pm Flag lowering closing ceremony at City Park following coronation

More Waterama information in our E-edition and in the Waterama Booklet.