Did you hear the roar of the powerboats last weekend? It may have sounded similar to the tractor pull we usually hear at the county fair.

Fountain Lake was host to the Upper Midwest Powerboat Association Powerboat Drags last Sunday in Albert Lea. Twenty-eight boats participated in the speed class divisions.  Scott Kalash of the Upper Midwest Powerboat Association was thrilled to have so many boats compete, especially because they’ve never held a Sunday race.

A fantastic location, Edgewater Bay on Fountain Lake and the new Edgewater Bay Pavilion were the perfect fit to host all the spectators that came out for the event. It was amazing to see the crowd along the bay watching this new event!

“All the drivers thought that Albert Lea was the best race they have been to,” Scott commented about the location.

A heartfelt thank you to the sponsors of this new event, Ultimate Automotive & Tire, Northstar Powersports & Marine, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Broadway Automotive and Motor Inn Co.

I would like to thank everyone involved in the planning, attending the meetings to help with the organization and volunteered their time: Bob Kindler and Glen Strom, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office; Matt Leverson, Freeborn County Boat Patrol; Mayo Clinic ambulance staff; Iowa Underwater Search and Rescue; Scott Hanna and the Albert Lea firefighters; Adam Syverson who provided the pontoon; City Councilor Larry Anderson for helping at the boat landing. Thank you to Jay Hutchinson and Joe Grossman and staff of Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department for providing the picnic tables along Edgewater Bay. And a special thank you to Denny Brue for those yummy corn dogs!

Thank you Albert Lea Tribune, Freeborn County Shopper, KATE Radio, Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, Arrow Printing and Power 96 for helping us promote this event.

And, lastly, thank you to everyone who came out to watch this event on a beautiful sunny afternoon!

We are looking forward to hosting this event again next year!

 

Susie Petersen

executive director

Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau

Albert Lea