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Watercade 2022 was full-on fun

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on
All eyes are to the sky as fireworks erupt Friday night over Lake Ripley, one of the highlights of Watercade weekend. The fireworks capped an afternoon and evening at Memorial Park on the shores of Lake Ripley, where events includes a sand sculpture contest, followed by a beach party, along with a variety of food vendors and souvenir stands.

All eyes are to the sky as fireworks erupt Friday night over Lake Ripley, one of the highlights of Watercade weekend. The fireworks capped an afternoon and evening at Memorial Park on the shores of Lake Ripley, where events includes a sand sculpture contest, followed by a beach party, along with a variety of food vendors and souvenir stands.

Alison Holes, 6, and Aliza Laidlaw, 5, used their own wind power to push boats down water-filled tracks. The game was part of the Litchfield Cub Scouts’ booth during Watercade’s Art in the Park Saturday morning in Central Park.

Alison Holes, 6, and Aliza Laidlaw, 5, used their own wind power to push boats down water-filled tracks. The game was part of the Litchfield Cub Scouts’ booth during Watercade’s Art in the Park Saturday morning in Central Park.STAFF PHOTOs BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Teams representing the Litchfield Rescue Squad and Litchfield Fire Department squared off in the water ball competition Friday afternoon in front of the fire and rescue hall.

Teams representing the Litchfield Rescue Squad and Litchfield Fire Department squared off in the water ball competition Friday afternoon in front of the fire and rescue hall.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Adriana Wagner, 10, Owen Wagner, 9, and Aaliyah Swanson, 7, work on their sand sculpture Friday afternoon. The trio said they planned to build a volcano with a house, hoping to repeat their sculpture success of one year earlier when they took third place in the contest.

Adriana Wagner, 10, Owen Wagner, 9, and Aaliyah Swanson, 7, work on their sand sculpture Friday afternoon. The trio said they planned to build a volcano with a house, hoping to repeat their sculpture success of one year earlier when they took third place in the contest.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Brandy Fischer, right, builds a sand castle with her daughters, Bailey, 7, and Ayla, 5, during the sand sculpture contest Friday afternoon at Lake Ripley beach.

Brandy Fischer, right, builds a sand castle with her daughters, Bailey, 7, and Ayla, 5, during the sand sculpture contest Friday afternoon at Lake Ripley beach.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Central Community Transit’s parade entry has children chasing bubbles during the Grand Day Parade Saturday.

Central Community Transit’s parade entry has children chasing bubbles during the Grand Day Parade Saturday.PHOTO BY HANNAH SCHACHERER

Litchfield royalty, Princess Haylie Magoon, Miss Litchfield Claudia Toenjes, and Princess Abagayle Shoutz, lead the Kiddie Parade participants Saturday morning on Holcombe Avenue.

Litchfield royalty, Princess Haylie Magoon, Miss Litchfield Claudia Toenjes, and Princess Abagayle Shoutz, lead the Kiddie Parade participants Saturday morning on Holcombe Avenue.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Tricia and the Toonies entertained a large audience Thursday night in Central Park.

Tricia and the Toonies entertained a large audience Thursday night in Central Park.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Ethan LaGow and Carter Rothstein use their own wind power — blowing through straws — to push boats down the track. The race setup was part of the Litchfield Cub Scouts booth during Art in the Park Saturday in Central Park.

Ethan LaGow and Carter Rothstein use their own wind power — blowing through straws — to push boats down the track. The race setup was part of the Litchfield Cub Scouts booth during Art in the Park Saturday in Central Park.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

The Kiddie Parade saw a splash of the red, white and blue. The parade made its way north on Holcombe Avenue past Ecumen where residents enthusiastically waved and greeted parade participants.

The Kiddie Parade saw a splash of the red, white and blue. The parade made its way north on Holcombe Avenue past Ecumen where residents enthusiastically waved and greeted parade participants.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

A boat heads out from the staging area after its number is called Saturday morning on Lake Ripley at the start of the Litchfield Watercade fishing tournament.

A boat heads out from the staging area after its number is called Saturday morning on Lake Ripley at the start of the Litchfield Watercade fishing tournament.

The Watercade Talent Contest participants Candace and Vivian perform on the stage Saturday morning in Central Park.

The Watercade Talent Contest participants Candace and Vivian perform on the stage Saturday morning in Central Park.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Streams of water criss cross, filling the air with mist during the water ball fight Friday in front of the Litchfield fire and rescue hall.

Streams of water criss cross, filling the air with mist during the water ball fight Friday in front of the Litchfield fire and rescue hall.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Youngsters waited with excited anticipation for the Litchfield High School marching band to begin its show on North Armstrong Avenue Saturday afternoon during the Grand Day Parade.

Youngsters waited with excited anticipation for the Litchfield High School marching band to begin its show on North Armstrong Avenue Saturday afternoon during the Grand Day Parade.PHOTO BY HANNAH SCHACHERER

Litchfield Police officer Gary Gruenke inspects the work of Chris Woelfel during the sand sculpture contest Friday afternoon at Lake Ripley. Gruenke also served as the grand marshal for the parade.

Litchfield Police officer Gary Gruenke inspects the work of Chris Woelfel during the sand sculpture contest Friday afternoon at Lake Ripley. Gruenke also served as the grand marshal for the parade.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Marine Corps League members were among the many organizations participating in the Grand Day Parade Saturday afternoon.

Marine Corps League members were among the many organizations participating in the Grand Day Parade Saturday afternoon.PHOTO BY HANNAH SCHACHERER

Tennis

August Swenson returns a shot in an opening round match in the men’s open doubles tournament Friday. Swenson and Mathias Bruning teamed up for the event. They were beaten by the team of John Carlson and Mike Miller.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Patrick Boerner returns a shot in the men’s open division championship match of the Watercade Tennis Tournament Sunday. Boerner, a Litchfield High School graduate who now lives in Minneapolis, fell in the championship match 6-3, 6-2 to Stewart Morrell of Elk River. More Watercade run and tennis photos can be found at www.crowrivermedia.com/independentreview/multimedia/.

Patrick Boerner returns a shot in the men’s open division championship match of the Watercade Tennis Tournament Sunday. Boerner, a Litchfield High School graduate who now lives in Minneapolis, fell in the championship match 6-3, 6-2 to Stewart Morrell of Elk River. More Watercade run and tennis photos can be found at www.crowrivermedia.com/independentreview/multimedia/.

Tennis

Mathias Bruning returns a shot in a men’s open doubles match Friday. Bruning and August Swenson teamed up for the Watercade doubles tournament, but fell to the team of John Carlson and Mike Miller in the opening round.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Tennis

Mike Miller keeps his eye on the ball as he prepares to return a shot in a Watercade tennis tournament match. Miller and John Carlson teamed up in men’s open doubles.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Ryan Adams set a blistering pace during the 4-mile run, finding himself running all alone on the west side of Lake Ripley. Adams, 39, a Litchfield native who now lives in White Bear Lake, won the run with a time of 23:17.2.

Ryan Adams set a blistering pace during the 4-mile run, finding himself running all alone on the west side of Lake Ripley. Adams, 39, a Litchfield native who now lives in White Bear Lake, won the run with a time of 23:17.2.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Above — Runners leave the starting line on State Highway 22 Saturday morning for the Watercade's 4-mile run around Lake Ripley.

Above — Runners leave the starting line on State Highway 22 Saturday morning for the Watercade's 4-mile run around Lake Ripley.

Ole Rogness, 15, finished third overall in the 4-mile run Saturday morning. He was the top Litchfield finisher with a time of 24:48.4.

Ole Rogness, 15, finished third overall in the 4-mile run Saturday morning. He was the top Litchfield finisher with a time of 24:48.4.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Brett Penk reaches for a glass of water offered by Jim Watt at the water station on the west side of Lake Ripley. Penk, 15, finished 10

Brett Penk reaches for a glass of water offered by Jim Watt at the water station on the west side of Lake Ripley. Penk, 15, finished 10STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Fireworks erupt Friday night over Lake Ripley, one of the highlights of Watercade weekend. The fireworks capped an afternoon and evening at Memorial Park on the shores of Lake Ripley, where events includes a sand sculpture contest, followed by a beach party, along with a variety of food vendors and souvenir stands.

Fireworks erupt Friday night over Lake Ripley, one of the highlights of Watercade weekend. The fireworks capped an afternoon and evening at Memorial Park on the shores of Lake Ripley, where events includes a sand sculpture contest, followed by a beach party, along with a variety of food vendors and souvenir stands.STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER

Fireworks
Fireworks
Litchfield Royalty In Parade
Band In Parade
Runners
Fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks
Firefighters at Play

Litchfield’s annual celebration of summer and small town pride returned with a flourish this past weekend.

Watercade 2022 featured a full slate of activities that brought large crowds and plenty of fun. People mingled and didn’t seem mind waiting in line at food vendor trailers during Friday night’s beach party and fireworks at Lake Ripley and Memorial Park.

Saturday brought a full day of fun, with everything from the four-mile run and fishing tournament in the morning, Art in the Park throughout the day at Central Park, a kiddie parade and talent show in the morning, and Grand Day Parade in a new, afternoon time slot. Softball and tennis tournaments also ran throughout the day Saturday and Sunday.

The festivities wrapped up with the crowning of a new Miss Litchfield — Raina Kaping — Sunday afternoon at Bernie Aaker Auditorium.

Copyright 2022 Litchfield Independent Review/Crow River Media/Media News Group.

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Watercade 2022 was full-on fun