Okoboji, Iowa — The annual University of Okoboji Winter Games kicked off Thursday, bringing a huge winter boost to the Iowa Great Lakes area economy.
Tourism generated about $286-million for the region in 2017. Blain Andera, CEO of the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, says the summer season is the main tourism driver, but the winter games run a close second.
Andera says the games draw people from all over the country and they’ve grown a lot since first being held in 1981.
Events also include scavenger hunts, ice fishing and a kite festival, which is something new this year. Kiting professionals will fly 16 kites through the air, measuring from 20 to 100-feet long. The games run through Sunday.
With the crowds being drawn to the lakes area this weekend, Iowa DNR conservation officers will be partnering with the Iowa State Patrol and the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office on a special enforcement project over the Winter Games. Officers will provide additional traffic enforcement presence in and around the events.
With thousands of winter enthusiasts converging on Lake Okoboji for the games, officers will be focusing enforcement efforts on four areas that contribute to a majority of crashes: seat belts; impaired driving, including ATV’s and snowmobiles; distractions; and speed.
Law enforcement officials reminds those partaking in the Winter Games to obey all laws and celebrate responsibly.
