Parks Marina Live Cam

You'll see the most unique collection of antique wooden boats at the Antique Classic Wooden Boat Show. It's easy to imagine yourself cutting through the waves as only a 'woody' can, with the comforting purr of the motor. Plan to spend Sunday, August 2nd, lakefront at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park where you can view these beauties up close.

Who doesn't love a little red Corvette? To tempt the sports car enthusiast, visit the U of O Corvette Club 'Vettes at the Park' at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park on Sunday, August 9th, with more than 100 Corvettes on display.

Did you know that the 'World's Greatest County Fair' is just a few minutes from the Iowa Great Lakes? Spencer, Iowa, just south of Milford on Hwy. 71, hosts the annual Clay County Fair. This year's fair dates are September 12th to 20th. The Clay County Fair boasts the largest agri-business machinery display in the United States and Canada, and features traditional rides and games, popular musical acts, tractor pulls, livestock shows, car races, rodeos and an assortment of stage shows.

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) provides transportation on Rides buses to the public. A morning and afternoon route with designated pick-up spots runs between Milford and Spirit Lake throughout the year, five days a week. In the summer, the route is extended to seven days a week.

When you come to the Great Lakes, pick up a complimentary copy of the Okobojian to keep abreast of the latest concerts, sales, dances, special events and local news.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has partnered with area businesses and civic groups to make decisions about a multi-year construction plan for Hwy. 71 in Dickinson County. This five-year plan is now underway. The new highway will be safer, new utilities will be safely buried and it will provide better access for businesses, while complementing the areašs natural beauty. The partners agreed that due to the high summer traffic count, no construction that affects traffic will occur in the summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There will be construction the remainder of the year. Highlights of the construction expected in 1998 will be as follows:

Beginning just north of the Jct. of Hwy. 71 and Iowa 86 at Milford and proceeding north to the entrance of the Arnolds Park Amusement Park, a new four-lane highway will begin construction. The usual two-lane traffic on the existing Hwy. 71 can be expected.

From south of The Stables in Okoboji, going north to Hwy. 9 in Spirit Lake, the two new northbound lanes will be constructed. Hwy. 71 will remain open to through traffic during the construction period.

The bridge and pedestrian under-pass between Arnolds Park and Okoboji will begin construction after Labor Day, 1998. The staging of one-way traffic, controlled with traffic signals, will be in place during construction.

Utility work will resume in Arnolds Park and Okoboji after Labor Day, 1998. You will always be able to access local businesses during our highway beautification project. For through traffic, short delays can be avoided by using Iowa 86, which runs around the west side of West Lake Okoboji. To hear the latest updates on Hwy. 71 construction progress.

The area is fortunate to have a number of first-rate, full-service banking institutions. You will appreciate their friendly customer service and their easy- to-find locations.

You can easily see the stately Bank Midwest building on Sanborn Avenue in Okoboji, one-half block west, off Hwy. 71. Their ATM is in the Kum-N-Go at the intersection of Sanborn Avenue and Hwy. 71.

There are two locations for United Community Bank. The main bank is on Hwy. 71 in downtown Milford, and the Okoboji branch is on Hwy. 71 across from Village East Resort. Both the main office and the branch have an ATM service.

First Bank & Trust is in downtown Spirit Lake, one block north of Hwy. 71 on Hill Avenue. Their drive-up branch has an ATM and is on Hwy. 71 three blocks west of the Dickinson County Courthouse. The Lakes National Bank is in the Lakes Center Mall, on Hwy. 71, in Arnolds Park. Their ATM is inside their entrance.

Security State Bank is inside the Great Lakes Mall, west of downtown Spirit Lake. Their ATM is in a kiosk at the Great Lakes Mall. They also have a bank in downtown Lake Park.

When most people think of the Iowa Great Lakes, beautiful blue bodies of water come to mind. Lesser known, though no less appealing, are the public parks and nature areas that surround them.

Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Area is very popular with all nature lovers. It is three miles north and one mile west of Spirit Lake. It's a great place to hunt, fish, birdwatch, canoe, hike, cross-country ski or swim.

Caylor Prairie is six miles west and two miles south of Spirit Lake, featuring 160 acres of natural prairie, with more than 200 plant species. Caylor Prairie is one of Iowa's last natural prairies. The National Park Service registered it as a Natural Landmark.

For year around recreational opportunities, visit Horseshoe Bend. This recreational area and park is three miles south of Milford on Hwy. 71, then four miles west on 240th Street. Horseshoe Bend is dissected by the Little Sioux River and includes 180 acres of lowland and upland forests, meadows and marshes. Visitors can enjoy the use of three-season shelter houses, mowed trails, a birdwatching blind and other wildlife and habitat areas. Tubing and skiing are popular in the winter. Equipment and shelter rentals are available, as are private party and non-profit group rates.

Gull Point, Emerson Bay, Pikes Point and Marble Beach State Parks are just a few of the many public parks that provide perfect settings for wholesome family get-togethers or romantic picnics by the lake.