Introducing your 2021 Winter Games Cheerleaders!

Jack Bauermeister

Maggie Fliss

Brock Holman

Nancy Kriener

Michael Meyers

Jon Pausley

Ryan Schmidt

Please read the nomination testimonies below on the 2021 Nominees listed in alphabetical order by last name. Once you've selected your top 8, make sure to cast your vote by the end of day on Monday, January 11th!
Don’t miss your chance to get your commemorative mug for the 41st Annual Winter Games!
This year’s Winter Games might look a little different from what we’re used to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take home a piece of the history.
You can get your $10 commemorative mug at the following locations:
– The Three Sons in Milford
– The Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce in Arnolds Park
– The Spirit Lake Chamber in Spirit Lake
We’ll see you January 28-31, 2021!
Over the course of the last few months, the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff have been meeting regularly to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our region and across the country to assess its impact on the 2021 University of Okoboji Winter Games.
After much discussion with local government, healthcare officials and committee members, we feel it is in the best interest of our visitors, volunteers, and community to make the following changes to Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber events.
The Board of Directors have made the difficult decision to cancel all INDOOR events presented by the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. The following events will be canceled for the 2021 University of Okoboji Winter Games:
Chili Cookoff
Chocolate Classic
Cribbage Tournament
Many other Winter Games events are still scheduled and we strongly encourage everyone to continue to wear your masks and practice social distancing. Stay tuned for a full schedule of events coming soon!
For more information or questions on this decision, please contact the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-332-2107 or email kiley@okobojichamber.com.
We look forward to seeing you all at these events again in 2022!
In the true spirit of community fun and recognition, the University of Okoboji Winter Games Committee is giving the public the opportunity to nominate an individual to serve as a 2021 University of Okoboji Winter Games cheerleader. Nominees must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of Dickinson County.
Each nominee should exhibit:
• a ready smile, generous heart and good nature
• an enthusiasm for all that our University of Okoboji campus has to offer and
• a sincere desire to give their time and talent to enhance the quality of life in the Iowa Great Lakes Area
Eight selected cheerleaders will cheer, cheer, cheer for O-K-O-B-O-J-I during the 41st Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games presented by GrapeTree Medical Staffing on January 28 – 31, 2021. All voting will occur online only on Monday, January 11th from 6am – 11:59pm. No phone, email, or in person votes will be accepted. Each individual will select a maximum of 8 individuals listed on the final ballot of nominees. The eight nominees with the most votes will be announced following voting.
More information and the nomination form can be found online at www.uofowintergames.com/cheerleaders. Nominations are open until Sunday, January 10th at 11:59PM.
To get involved in the University of Okoboji Winter Games, please contact Kiley Zankowski at the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber: kiley@okobojichamber.com or 712-332-2107.
The countdown is on for University of Okoboji Winter Games 41!
Get your gear for this year's celebration. Apparel is now available for purchase online at www.uofowintergames.com/wgapparel/
Clothing will soon be available in person. Stay tuned on Facebook or sign up for our email list to get live updates on apparel locations and more!
Make sure your calendars are marked for January 28-31, 2021 for the 41st Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games. Check our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UofOWinterGames for updates on all things Winter Games related!
Please contact Kiley at kiley@okobojichamber.com or 712-332-2107 with any questions.
The Chair of the 41st Annual Winter Games is John Hight. John is a civil engineer for Beck Engineering, Inc in Spirit Lake. John, his wife Jaclyn, and two sons reside in Spirit Lake. John is a 2005 graduate of Spirit Lake High school, and is always looking for ways to give back to the community that he grew up in.
He is a board member and past president of Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis. John has spent time volunteer coaching youth football and wrestling, and often speaks to middle school and high school students about the importance of STEM professions. When John isn’t busy working or volunteering, he loves spending time with family and socializing with friends while enjoying everything the Iowa Great Lakes has to offer.
Over the years, John has been active in Winter Games in various ways. He has been a spectator, participant, volunteer, was elected as a cheerleader in 2018, co-chair in 2020, and is now looking forward to being chair. He is excited to represent this great community, the IGLA Chamber, and the University of Okoboji in the upcoming 41st edition of this amazing event!
Co-Chair this year is Dr. Mara Groom. Dr. Groom is a family medicine physician at Lakes Regional Healthcare. She made the lakes area her home 5 years ago and after growing up in a military family she couldn’t imagine finding a better community to lay down roots. Dr. Groom was president of Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis club for the 2019-2020 term. She enjoys talking to high school and college students about careers in health care. She is on the board of the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians.
She and her significant other Cale live in Milford with their dogs, Stella and Otis. When she isn’t busy delivering babies and caring for patients, she enjoys all the amenities that the Iowa Great Lakes has to offer. Mara has enjoyed Winter Games every year since moving here and is a past Keg Toss champion! She is excited to represent the community, the IGL Chamber, and the University of Okoboji in the 41st Winter Games!
John and Mara are looking forward to the preparation ahead for our awesome winter tradition, and they are ready to make this year the best yet!
To get involved in the University of Okoboji Winter Games, please contact Kiley Zankowski at the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber: kiley@okobojichamber.com or 712-332-2107.
Can you believe we are only 5 months away from the 2021 University of Okoboji Winter Games?! We hope you are all as excited as we are!
2020 has been…well, a year, let’s just leave it at that…so we are more ready than ever to kick off the 2021 Winter Games fun! What better way to get started than with a brand spanking new logo!
Inspired by an 80’s/Retro theme, our very own Communications Coordinator, Andrea McMahon, designed this bright, fun and energetic logo in collaboration with local designer Jacob Polaschek, to help kick off another amazing Winter Games season. Check it out below!
And remember to mark your calendars (as if you haven’t already) for January 28-31, 2021 and visit www.uofowintergames.com for more information and to sign up for our newsletter!
The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and event sponsor Okoboji Motor Company were thrilled to present a check from the proceeds of the Winter Games 40 Polar Plunge to the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire & Rescue. The $1,939.00 check was made possible due to the 142 brave individuals who took the plunge into the frigid waters of West Lake Okoboji on January 25, 2020.
The 41st Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games are scheduled for January 28-31, 2021 and be sure to visit www.uofowintergames.com for updates and information on how you can get involved in the frigid family fun.
Winter Games Bean Bag Tournament Check Presented
Another fantastic cause benefitting from the U of O Winter Games! Parks Marina’s Millisa Reynolds, IGLACC Kiley Zankowski & Blain Andera, & Bean Bag Co-Chairs Joe & Ann Meyer presented the Okoboji Fine Arts (vocal teacher Erin Chappas, instrumental teacher Ryan Middleton, & Okoboji Fine Arts President Deb Clark) with a check for $1,641.00 raised during the 40th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games Bean Bag Tournament held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 on West Lake Okoboji in front of The Gardens.
Sixty-four 2-person teams competed in this fun-filled tourney raising funds for the amazing Okoboji Fine Arts Programs. Thank you to Joe and Ann Meyer, Parks Marina, and the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce for making this tournament a reality.
The 41st Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games are scheduled for January 28-31, 2021 and be sure to visit www.uofowintergames.com for updates and information on how you can get involved in the frigid family fun.