If all your friends jumped in the lake, would you? Apparently, for 36 people, the answer is “yes!” As part of the inaugural Lake Superior Storm Festival, a Wave Dash was held on the beach of Lutsen Resort. Above: Cook County Visitors Bureau Director Linda Kratt and friends rush back to shore. Left: Mary Sue Stothart of Blaine, Minn. and Julie Edwards of Chicago, Ill. traveled a long way to catch a wave. The money raised goes to the Cook County Community YMCA for swimming lesson scholarships and the local food shelf.
The Cook County Visitors Bureau (CCVB), which organized the first-ever Lake Superior Storm Festival, was delighted with the response from community members and visitors during the event, November 7, 2013. It appears that a festival celebrating Lake Superior is just what is needed as the weather turns dreary.
CCVB Marketing Manager Shelby Gonzales shared a summary of attendance at various events, such as the Friday night “Taking Fashion by Storm” fashion show at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. The outfitting store was crowded with more than 30 enthusiastic people wanting to see the latest in clothing and gear for outdoor adventure.
On Saturday night 55 people came out to enjoy a presentation by Jim Shinners. There was standing room only for his White Hurricane talk. Likewise, the Storm Photography presentation by Paul Sundberg. The room filled and some of the 70 people spilled out into the hallway.
The Superior Songwriters Shindig, emceed by Bump Blomberg at Cascade Restaurant and Pub saw easily 100 people. Local and visiting musicians shared their favorite storm songs from 6 to 10 p.m.
Gonzales said the Thursday evening presentation Storm Surfing by Randy Carlson of UMD was not as well attended as it was added to the Lake Superior Storm Festival at the last minute. However, those who were at the event at Harbor House Grille encouraged Carlson to come back for the next Storm Festival.
But most surprising to organizers was the response to their invitation to jump in the frigid November waters of Lake Superior. Thirty-six people took part in the Wave Dash, held at Lutsen Resort. Many more came to watch and laugh at the spectacle. As watchful lifeguards from the Cook County Community YMCA and Bluefin Bay stood by, people from Cook County, Minnesota and Cook County, Illinois screwed up their courage and took a dash into the icy cold waves.
CCVB Executive Director Linda Kratt welcomed all the Wave Dashers and allayed some concern when she told them, “You can dive in over your head or you can just stick your toes in the water—this is your dash!”
Kratt and a group of friends then headed to the Lutsen Resort beach and proceeded to dive in, if not over her head, but well into the chilly Superior water. Much laughter ensued and as people dashed up to the Lutsen Resort swimming pool and hot tub, there was already talk of doing it again next year!
Gonzales expressed appreciation to the many community members and businesses that helped promote the inaugural Storm Festival. She said CCVB is starting to plan the next Lake Superior Storm Festival.
For more information on upcoming events in Cook County, visit www.VisitCookCounty.com.
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