Ready, set, Otter Fest!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The sun shines down on Otter Lake, creating a shimmer on the water. Suddenly the vibrant sound of laughter fills the air and boats are cast out. Military members and their families participated in the second annual Otter Fest hosted by the 673d Force Support Squadron on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 5, 2014.

Otter Fest is an annual event for military members and their families to enjoy the many outdoor recreation opportunities JBER has to offer.

"The idea was to create an event to get people outside during the summer months," said Trevor Bird, 673d Force Support Squadron supervisory recreation specialist. "We wanted to orient an event toward the interest of families as much as possible to get them out, and using our facilities and showing them what we offer on base."

All races were done with boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and stand-up paddle boats that the Outdoor Recreation centers have available for daily rentals.

"Last year most of our staff was on the stand-up paddle boards," Bird said. "This year with more events going on, we decided it would be a better idea to have two staff members on a motor boat out on the water just in case we had to rescue anyone that tipped over during any of the races and to rescue our boats."

Participants were required to wear life jackets, which were provided by the Outdoor Recreation centers, at all times while on the lake and dock to ensure safety precautions.
Courses were marked by buoys before the start of the fest to ensure the competitors knew the layout of each race. More than 100 individuals signed up to participate in the races.

"We had more participation for this year's events than last year's events," Bird said. "We had three pages full of individuals signed up for the kids' kayak race."

Prizes were given to the first-place competitors such as water guns, kick balls, water slides, toys and free Outdoor Recreation rentals.

Included in the festivities were a coloring booth, bouncy houses, and many other events. Bottled water, sodas, hamburgers, hotdogs and chips were provided free of charge.

"This is my second year at Otter Fest, but my first time competing," said Tech. Sgt. Justin Pederson, 673d Civil Engineer Squadron battalion chief. "My daughter and I had a lot of fun. I recommend anyone come out and enjoy Otter Fest at least once while they are here on JBER."

More than 200 military members and their families participated in this year's Otter Fest in both on and off water activities.

For more information about Otter Fest or future events at Otter Lake, contact them at 384-6245 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/otterlakejber.