By Steve Weisman

On Saturday, August 13, that’s only a few weeks away, the seventh annual Okoboji Blue Water Festival will take place at the totally renovated Preservation Plaza on the shores of West Lake Okoboji. What a day it will be for all who attend because the entire day is FREE!

According to co-organizer Greg Drees, “This promises to be a great day! All of the renovations are now complete, and the new stage where headliner Melissa Etheridge will host her concert is an incredible venue. We, all of us who have put the 2022 Festival together, are so excited to have people join us for a full day in celebration of all our clean water efforts!”

At the same time, Drees notes, “The Okoboji Blue Water Festival is an educational day, and our goal is to raise awareness of water quality issues in the Iowa Great Lakes and beyond.”

Everything starts off at 8 a.m. with Chalkstock, part of the Sidewalk Art. It has been a staple of the Okoboji Blue Water Festival since its very beginning. As in the past, Chalkstock will take place on the Promenade sidewalk with participants assigned one of approximately 60 squares. Judging takes place at 1:30 p.m., and the award ceremony at 2:30 p.m. According to Festival co-chair, Julie Peterson, “This is always such a fun activity for both individuals and families. Chalk pastels will be provided by the Okoboji Blue Water Festival and is free and open to the public. The creativity of the participating artists is always incredible.”

A recently added event will be a special seminar at 8:30 a.m., under the big tent. Drees says, “Mary Skopec, Executive Director of the Iowa Lakeside Lab, is bringing in James L. Pease, Associate Professor Emeritus at Iowa State University, to discuss ‘Connecting Wildlife and Water Quality’. Clean water is truly an important part of how wildlife flourishes in water quality. The Festival thanks Mary for helping us secure someone with nearly four decades of experience as an educator, front-line interpreter, writer and consultant.”

Utilizing the winding sidewalk along Preservation Plaza with be Exhibitor’s Row. More than 30 exhibitors ranging from lake protective associations, non-profits and conservation organizations will be spaced out through the sidewalk answering questions and sharing their clean water stories. According to Drees, “From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the public has the opportunity to visit with these groups to talk about water quality and natural resources preservation.”

At the same time, a designated area will be reserved for the Kids’ & Family Activities. Drees notes,” The Kids’ & Family Activities area continues to grow. This is such a vital part of the festival, getting youth – our next generation of waterkeepers – interested in clean water.” Fun and educational at the same time, activities include hands-on water tables, face and t-shirt painting, a fishing pool, a special story time with the Milford Library, inflatables and free giveaways (water bottles, environmental books, sunglasses and more!).

Three huge events

The first is the Fishing Seminar presented by Keith Kavajecz, which will take place at 10 a.m. under the big tent. Sponsored by the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club, the seminar with Q & A session will last until approximately 11 a.m., after which Kavajecz will spend time visiting with anglers at the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club on Exhibitors Row. A widely renowned professional angler and an inductee into National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, Kavajecz said this about coming to the Festival. “Although I’ve visited Spirit Lake many times, I’ve never done a seminar in the area so I’m looking forward to talking with everyone. Walleye techniques and gear have really been changing dramatically the last few years so I’ll try to cover some of the new ‘hot’ information but will also spend time on the basics so I can give everyone some solid tips to make them a better walleye angler.”

The second huge event will take place under the big tent at 3 p.m. At that time, keynote speaker environmentalist Chad Pregracke will address those in attendance. Drees is confident that Pregracke’s message will strike home with the audience. “Chad is truly one of the country’s most dynamic speakers on the environment, and we know he will present a strong message for people to take home with them. His enthusiasm is contagious and his work ethic unparalleled. Chad embraces the festival’s theme of clean water, and he is excited to come here and share his impassioned journey with us. He is the president and founder of Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) and for more than two decades has devoted himself wholly and tirelessly to cleaning up the nation’s rivers”

The third huge event will be the culmination of the entire day with the musical extravaganza with headliner Melissa Etheridge taking place on the newly designed stage. The Firm will kick off the evening at 6:30 p.m. and The Nadas will follow at 7:30 p.m, all leading to the highlight of the evening. At 9 p.m., Melissa Etheridge, one of rock music’s most enduring and favorite female singer-songwriters, will take the stage. “We are proud to bring Melissa Etheridge to Okoboji to culminate our event,” said festival co-chair Greg Drees. “She has sustained a more than three-decade career of excellence. Music lovers of all ages are invited to this free event to showcase one of rock’s best-loved performers.”

Schedule of Festival Events 2022

• 8 AM-Chalkstock
• 8:30 AM-James L. Pease presentation “Connecting Wildlife and Water Quality”
• 9:30 AM-Kid’s Storytime
• 10 AM -2 PM-Kid’s & Family Activities
• 10 AM-3 PM-Exhibitors
• 10 AM-Fishing Seminar with Keith Kavajecz
• 3 PM – Chad Pregracke Keynote Address
• 6:30 PM – The Firm in Concert
• 7:30 PM – The Nadas in Concert
• 9 PM – Melissa Etheridge in Concert

(photo submitted) Keynote speaker Chad Pregracke

(photo by David Thoreson) A view of Exibitor’s Row

 (photo by David Thoreson) A gorgeous sunset at 2021 Festival

 (photos submitted)

(photo submitted) Headliner Melissa Etheridge