Vacation Week June 25, 2014 | Page 11

Wed., June 25, 2014 VACATION WEEK Page 11 Three Lakes Shootout, Fly-in set on Big Stone this Friday, Saturday The roar of high-powered race boats will return to Big Stone Lake in Three Lakes this Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, for the seventh annual Three Lakes Shootout/Radar Run and Fly-in. The Shootout grounds are located on Highway 32 east of Three Lakes at Sunset Grill and Anchor Marine, with some activities kicking off Friday night at Bonnie’s Lakeside restaurant on Highway 32. All event proceeds will benefit the Three Lakes Fire Department. This year, the Ministry Health Care Spirit helicopter will visit at the nearby Three Lakes airport, and a live performance by Nashville singer-songwriter Tommy Barnes is slated under the beachfront beer tent at 6 p.m. Saturday. Lakeside and on-water spectators have come to expect the thrills delivered by the 70-plus supercharged hydroplanes, jet, drag and tunnel boats, which challenge each other and the radar gun to reach top speeds of more than 130 mph. Top Gun honors are at stake for the fastest speed across the 1,000-foot course on the south shore of Big Stone Lake. Saturday’s events will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission, parking and shuttles to the grounds are free. Visitors will have views of the race boats and waterskipping snowmobiles, along with displays of vintage aircraft, war birds, ultralights, and the Spirit helicopter at the Three Lakes airport. There will also be a motorcycle corral; lakeside beer garden; 50/50 raffles; raffles for rides in race boats; souvenir clothing sales; and grilled burgers, brats, corn, and filets on a stick — all served up by the Three Lakes Fire Department and volunteers. The ever-popular Sledfooters snowmobilers, who bill themselves as “the greatest show on H2O,” will perform between boat races, trying to keep their machines above water as they take off from the beach. Some will even attempt to pull wake boarders and waterskiers. Race fans can get an upclose look at the boats Friday night beginning at 5 p.m. at Bonnie’s Lakeside. A static display of all the race boats is planned, along with fire and rescue equipment from the Three Lakes Fire Department. Refreshments, raffles and race clothing sales also will be available at Bonnie’s. Shootout events kick off for racers earlier that day at the Harbor Campground beach and Anchor Marine boat ramp on Highway 32. Many of the race boats will be launched there to take a tour of the Three Lakes Chain beginning at approximately 1 p.m. When the racing action stops, trophies will be presented in more than 12 different race boat classes at about 6 p.m. “But the fun is far from # 1 over, as the beer garden stage will be taken over by Nashville’s own singer-songwriter Tommy Barnes,” said an event spokesperson. Barnes has written songs for many country entertainers, including Tim McGraw, Tom Wopat, Hank Williams Jr. and Little Texas. He will sing country favorites from 6 to 7 p.m. Music will continue after that at the nearby Mai Tiki Bar at the Harbor Campground. For a view of all the boat and snowmobile action, visitors may take a bleacher seat on the shore or watch from their own boats anchored adjacent to the race course. Pontoon boat shuttles also will be available to take boating spectators to the shore for refreshments and airport visits. A motorcycle parking corral will be provided courtesy of nearby Brigg’s Bar. “Now in its seventh year, the Three Lakes Shootout/Radar Run and Fly-In has established a great reputation for providing a great two days of entertainment and fun for the Marine & RV Dealer Top Brands — Award-Winning Service Over $4 million in inventory whole family,” spokesperson. said the The event began as a fundraiser to spur construction of the town’s second fire station, now complete and operational on Highway 32. All proceeds continue to benefit the all-volunteer department. Last year’s shootout raised more than $22,000. For more information, registration forms, maps and videos of past races, visit threelakesshootout. com or email info@three lakesshootout.com. Boats of all shapes and sizes will be put to the test at the Three Lakes Shootout on Big Stone Lake June 27-28. —NEWS-REVIEW PHOTO Friday, July 11, 2014 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2014 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. German • Polish Irish • Italian Wisconsin Heritages Three Lakes High School Athletic Field, 6930 W. School St., Three Lakes, WI 54562 Cultural pavilions featuring traditional Foods, History & Dress. Cultural Exhibits, Wine Sampling, Craft Show