Past Water Carnival Admirals

Past Admirals

1935 (1): F. C. Schroeder
1936 (2): Dick Glaholt
1937 Cancelled
1938 (3): Dick Glaholt
1939 (4): Paul Borlin
1940 (5): Norman Olson
1941 (6): John Huss
1942 (7): Bill Piechowski
1943 (8): John Pearson
1944 (9): Elmer Hanson
1945 (10): Maurice Garter
1946 (11): Robert Oman
1947 (12): Ray Glaholt
1948 (13): Wally Kershner
1949 (14): Leroy Carlson
1950 (15): Walter O. Anderson
1951 (16): Wayne Lance
1952 (17): Bob Eide
1953 (18): Bill Steinke
1954 (19): Gordon Hutton
1955 (20): Earl King
1956 (21): Jack Renner
1957 (22): Sigwel Wood
1958 (23): Gerald Price
1959 (24): Dale Hagen
1960 (25): James C. Larson
1961 (26): Duane Wething
1962 (27): Dick Johnston
1963 (28): Curt Cherry
1964 (29): Dave Knutson
1965 (30): Lynn Hummel
1966 (31): Robert Bergquist
1967 (32): John Moling
1968 (33): Arnie Porkkonen
1969 (34): Ed Rotenberger
1970 (35): John Quam
1971 (36): Dave Rogstad
1972 (37): Jim Sinclair
1973 (38): Wayne Benson
1974 (39): Larry Anderson
1975 (40): Dick Duffney
1976 (41): Roger Hesby
1977 (42): David Stowman
1978 (43): Dennis Schurman
1979 (44): Larry Buboltz
1980 (45): Randy Bauer
1981 (46): Brian Lund
1982 (47): John King
1983 (48): Jim Shoemaker
1984 (49): Jerry Rogers
1985 (50): Dale Westley
1986 (51): Glenn Gifford
1987 (52): Mark Hagen
1988 (53): Bruce Imholte
1989 (54): Thomas Reiffenberger
1990 (55): Steve Spaeth
1991 (56): Dave Aune
1992 (57): Carl Malmstrom
1993 (58): T. J. Foltz
1994 (59): Karen Skoyles
1995 (60): Jeff Radermacher
1996 (61): Don Beaton
1997 (62): Ann Jenson
1998 (63): Jim & Dana Gulson
1999 (64): Patti Boller & Greg Nyland
2000 (65): Dawn Olson
2001 (66): Patti Nelson
2002 (67): Rita Stelzer
2003 (68): Tom Trowbridge
2004 (69): Bryan Domholt
2005 (70): Rob DuChene
2006 (71): Josh & Kim Bettcher
2007 (72): Andrew Gag
2008 (73): Cara Frank
2009 (74): Dave & Melissa Opsahl
2010 (75): Nathan & Jackie Weber and Chris & Johnna Thorson
2011 (76): Aaron Lauinger
2012 (77): Jon & Angie Olson
2013 (78): Matt & Amy Boeke
2014 (79): Nick Omberg & Tom Winters
2015 (80): Alma Alaniz & Nathan Woodard
2016 (81): Chris & Aly Larson
2017 (82): Dustin Hildenbrand & Kate Spaeth
2018 (83): Andy Castagneri & Natalie Bly
2019 (84): Brian Anderson & Matt Kelly
2020-2021 (85): Annette Korth & Mandie Tretbar
2022 (86): Drew Lessin & Kasey Fetzer
2023 (87): Garrett Malstrom & Kyle Pereira

‍

About the Water Carnival

The Detroit Lakes Jaycees have been sponsoring the annual Northwest Water Carnival since they organized as a chapter in 1935. The Water Carnival is one of the longest running festivals in the state of Minnesota. It has become one of the premier summer events in the lakes area, and includes a wide range of activities for the whole family.

The first Water Carnival was held in 1935. It took several years to become established, and was even cancelled in 1937. However, it has been held every year since then. Water Carnival has been well-attended, and has grown to be as much as an 11-day affair with more than 60 events. In its current format, it will be a 10-day event, beginning Friday, July 14th, with the Miss Northwest Pageant at the Historical Holmes Theater, and will conclude on Sunday, July 23rd with everyone’s favorite: The Parade of the Northwest.

The Detroit Lakes Jaycees is an all-volunteer civic organization. Led by the “Admiral,” the Jaycees work hard all year planning and coordinating the Water Carnival, which is supported by our area’s business community. After the parade, the Jaycees traditionally gather by the Pavilion to find out who will be the next Admiral. The Admiral is selected by the current Jaycee President to be in charge of the Water Carnival. The identity of the new Admiral is kept secret until after the Parade, and is the subject of much speculation by Jaycees past and present.