Fireworks, parade set for Saturday

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Everything seems to be a little bit bigger in Ottertail and the annual OtterFest celebration will be no different this weekend. 

Ottertail Business and Community Association President Ron Grobeck said there will be a number of unique events throughout the weekend with an emphasis on providing family fun for all ages. 

“It should be a good and really fun day,” said Grobeck. “It will be a lot of the same events as years past, but we are also going to have a wood carver this year. He is going to carve up an otter, we think.”

The wood carver Grobeck talked about is an artist based in Brainerd who will be on hand to create a custom piece that may be displayed in Ottertail down the road.

OtterFest will officially kick off on Friday night with the annual demo derby. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the demo derby pit near the water tower in Ottertail. 

The celebration will kick into high gear on Saturday with events from sun up to long after the sun goes down. Saturday’s events get underway with the Ottertail Lions Club pancake feed and vendor show beginning at 8 a.m., while Nick the Strolling Magician will be performing street magic at various locations in town beginning at 9:30 a.m. He will return to perform an always popular magic show from 12-1 p.m. near the community park. 

The classic car show will get underway at 10 a.m. and the big parade will roll through downtown Ottertail beginning at 11 a.m.

Following the parade, the Ottertail Lakers will be holding a petting zoo and family games will get underway at 1 p.m. Six bikes will be given away following the conclusion of the family games, which are typically one of the highlights of the day. Grobeck said the bikes will be age appropriate and feature several different sizes. All an individual needs to do is put their name in front of the bike they would like to have a chance to win.

The afternoon will also include bing and chicken poop bingo beginning at 1 p.m., while the Otterwalk will get underway at 3:30 p.m. 

The pork and corn feed will get underway at 4:30 p.m. and the Red Letter Band will take the stage for a street dance from 4-7:30 p.m. Grobeck said the band is being brought to OtterFest by request.

“We are bringing the Red Letter band by request. They are really, really good,” he said. 

OtterFest will come to a close on Saturday night when the fireworks display lights up the sky at dusk. 

The day will also include inflatable rides, face painting and a number of food vendors throughout the day. All of the events on Saturday will be held at the Ottertail Community Center and Ottertail Community Park.