Its homecoming weekend in Okoboji [Video]

ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa (KTIV) – While this summer had been anything but usual on the Iowa Great Lakes, there are some traditions that folks can count on. The university may be mythical, but the impact has been immeasurable to the Iowa Great Lakes community.

“The University of Okoboji was up and coming, and they said, we need to have a homecoming. So, this is how it all started forty-seven years ago,” explains Matt Richter, owner of The Three Sons.

This year’s celebration was a record year, with nearly 1,200 participants making their way to Northwest Iowa from 26 states, and two countries.

The day kicked off early as triathletes dove into West Lake Okoboji. As they made their way back to shore and hopped on their bicycles, the 5K, 10K, and half marathon took off, with fans cheering them on every step of the way.

After a slow start to …