Bicycle riders, rock 'n' rollers and rockets red glare

Out for a spin with BRASL

The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Bike Ride Around Spirit Lake — or BRASL — on Saturday, July 8. Organizers welcomed dozens of cyclists as they coasted to the starting line on Hill Avenue while the sun was still rising. The chamber's annual ride offers several options for participants — a 15, 25 and 50 mile route around Big Spirit Lake. The longest of the three courses took riders well west of Milford. A lunch was also provided for participants in Memorial Park following the ride. (Photos by Seth Boyes)

Fireworks light up Saturday sky

Cacophonous crackles and boisterous booms echoed across West Lake Okoboji the evening of Saturday, July 8. The display was originally scheduled to take place the evening of Independence Day, but a fire broke out on the display barge during the previous night's show over Big Spirit Lake. No injuries were reported, according to a statement from the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, but the West Okoboji show had to be delayed until the weekend. (Photos by Dave Petrick)

Jump! gives Lakes Area the Van Halen experience

A crowd filled Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park ahead of Saturday's fireworks to hear Jump! Van Halen Experience perform live. The concert was the only Iowa stop the tribute band's 2023 tour schedule. The band rocked their renditions of numerous Van Halen hits — including "Jump" — from the outdoor stage. Their costumes as well as some on-stage antics drew cheers from Saturday's crowd. Jump! then headed out toward eastern Wisconsin for the next portion of this year's tour. (Photos by Dave Petrick)