'Riot' may help lake live up to potential

The cooler, wetter weather is a pleasant break from the usual summer, fair-time heatwave, but it's also a reminder that Saturday is Aug. 1, the first day of the unofficial last month of summer.

August, when stores shift into high gear for back-to-school sales and fans start thinking about football and other fall sports.

But it's still summer, and there's plenty of time to enjoy outdoor activities with a trip to the lake.

Nik Johanson, superintendent of the Red Willow State Recreation Area for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, is recruiting volunteers and participants for the first "Red Willow Recreation Riot" on Saturday at the lake 10 miles north of McCook on U.S. Highway 83.

Anyone who has been to festivals like ones held at Lake McConaughy knows what a blast they can be.

Saturday's event has the potential to be just as good. Some of the events:

* A 3K run/walk from the dam to the marina at 9 a.m.

* A co-ed 4 on 4 sand volleyball tournament at 10 a.m., with a $20 team entry fee.

* A sand castle building contest (bring your own building equipment) with construction beginning at 10 a.m. and judging at 2 p.m.

* Slip-n-slide into the water at the beach from 2 to 4 p.m.

Kudos to Johanson and the volunteers for their effort to help the Red Willow SRA live up to its potential as a center for outdoor activities.