Gov. Rick Snyder officially declared July 15 Lake Superior Day. Save the Wild U.P. celebrated with Waterpalooza at Mattson Lower Harbor Park. It was our first ever and it was a splash.

For an event that may take as long as three to six months or longer to coordinate, we pulled it off in the two months since I became office manager/outreach coordinator.

Some things on the schedule did not happen and some did that weren’t planned. But it was fun and I am already planning and looking forward to next year.

The board and I want to thank everyone that stopped by to share in the celebration of Lake Superior, to learn more about Save the Wild U.P., enjoy a cold KBC beer and let the kids splash down the water slide.

Thanks to our food and beverage vendors, Border Grill and Pike Distributing. Also much appreciation to the folks from Moosewood Nature Center, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Sierra Club, UPPAA, YMCA, Superior Watershed Partnership and Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve. Music by Skip Jones, Bobby Bullet, Pam Nesbit and Kiddy Wompus made for lively entertainment. Thanks to artists, Cindy Engle, Mike LaTulip and Amy Cherette for displaying their art and photography. Many participants walked away with works of art of their own, thanks to Heather Anderson, the Sand Art Lady.

Endless appreciation for the day-long commitment to the ticket table by Charlotte Key and Judy Jones and to beer pulling by Sue Belanger.

Thank you for your time, Bob and Eeva. And credit for so much of the success of the day goes to our young volunteers , Sky, Logan, Tessa, Anna, Crystal, Joe and Brett.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. With a year to plan for next Lake Superior Day, we expect it to be bigger, better and even more fun.

Heidi Gould

Office manager/Outreach coordinator

Save the Wild U.P.

Marquette