PERRY (KSNT) – Many are beginning to prepare for outdoor fun here in northeast Kansas as warm temperatures settle in ahead of summer.
Lake Perry is already in full summer mode with the warm weather. But this Saturday, May 16 will feature an official summer kick-off and welcome back event.
Sewage spill advisory lifted at Lake Shawnee
“It’s kind of a welcome back event that we’re doing to the start of the season,” said Preston Alexander, Lake Perry boat sales manager. “We’re opening it to the general public and to the private slip holders that we have here. We’ll have bounce houses available and open for the kids. We’ll have free food from Captain’s Grill here. That is at our premises as well. And we’ll just have boats on the water ready to take out and run around and get the full feel and the effect of what you can expect out of our boat for this. “
Many boat dealers are expected to demo all sorts of different kinds of boats, including Sea-Doo and party boats, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at The Marina. With the lake offering so much, the employees said they are excited to get the season officially going. But one concern some have had before opening for the season is the lake levels.
“Water levels were a concern at the start of the season,” said Bryan Best, the general manager of Lake Perry Marina. “Every year, the Corps of Engineers draws down the lake three or four feet for navigational purposes and just a general planned winter drawdown. And if we don’t get the early, late fall, early spring rains, it puts us in a little bit of a predicament. So the lake was down about three feet. Now with all the beautiful Kansas thunderstorms that have come through and the torrential rains brought us back up. And we’re actually about two feet above two and a half, three feet above. So, we’re sitting at a great water level right now, and we’re excited for the holiday weekend.”
Day use fees revived at Perry Lake boat ramps: USACE
Boats aren’t the only thing to look forward to this summer and holiday weekend. Captain’s Grill is preparing for its second year on the premises, with an opening date set for May 15.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
