(Arnolds Park)– University of Okoboji Winter Games Weekend is now just a little more than a month away.
Blain Andera, President and CEO of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce says registration for the various events is now underway…
“If you’re looking to play softball or broomball, or one of the new events this year is the Hard Water Ice Open for a golf tournament. There’s tons of things for people to do and tons of activities. A cribbage tournament, you know, there’s a lot of things going on. Registration is open at uofowintergames.com.”
Andera says the earlier you get signed up for most of the events, the better…
“You know the bags tournament is always full, the softball tournament is always full, broomball is always full, so if you’re looking to get registered you need to do it soon. I know that over at The Throwing Post they have a ten for ten contest and that always fills up, too, the time slots on that get taken, so. Encourage people to register early and I’d also give a reminder, Steve, with Christmas coming up that we’ve got all of the Winter Games apparel here at the chamber and you can purchase right online, uofowintergames.com. We’re happy to ship that to people. There’s a shipping option or a pick up local option. It’s also available at The Three Sons in Milford, Fareway and Hy-Vee in Spirit Lake.”
And with Winter Games now just weeks away, Andera says final preparations are being made…
“You know, Steve, it takes a ton of volunteers, a ton of coordination and help from our business community and we certainly appreciate everything that everybody does to help us with Winter Games and we’re looking forward to a great opportunity to have some really good economic impact here on the Iowa Great Lakes in the offseason and that is really what this is all about, to help our businesses and the folks in our area get out and have some fun in the wintertime.”
Andera adds the recent cold snaps and snow are looking to make for some ideal conditions for Winter Games…
“You know what, it sure looks that way. We were out measuring some ice this weekend and I know the bait shops are doing that, too, and we’re making pretty good ice out there. Our hope is that we continue with some cold weather and continue building that ice and the snow can hold off now for a little while until closer to Winter Games, in our opinion.”
Andera also reminds everyone nominations for cheerleaders are still open.
The University of Okoboji Winter Games are coming up January 22nd-25th, 2026.
