For two weeks each winter, the Lakes Country comes alive as Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, celebrates Polar Fest — a community tradition filled with kites, a fishing contest, fireworks and the ever-popular Polar Plunge. This year, Detroit Lakes Public Utilities (DLPU) found a new way to be part of the fun, launching its first Polar Fest coloring contest.
DLPU has long supported Polar Fest, sponsoring the fireworks show and maintaining staff involvement on the Polar Fest committee. When planning began for 2026, organizers were looking for new event ideas. That sparked an opportunity.
“As a past event planner, I knew we didn’t have the funds or manpower to host an in-person event,” said LaJeanna Eckhoff, energy services coordinator. “So, we started thinking creatively. That’s where the coloring contest was born.”
“It was a low-cost event with a lot of ‘Value of Public Power’ impact. We’re part of this community and showing up builds trust. This was a hands-on, feel-good event and created so much enthusiasm.”
—LaJeanna Eckhoff, Detroit Lakes energy services coordinator
Before moving forward, DLPU connected with local elementary schools, both public and private, to ensure participation. With support secured, the team developed an 11x17 coloring page featuring Polar Pete, the ice castle, kites and the Polar Plunge. Entries were collected ahead of the festival so winners could be announced at the start of Polar Fest.
The contest quickly grew beyond expectations. After seeing the social media announcement, an assisted living activities director asked if residents could participate.
“We immediately said ‘yes’ and added a senior category,” Eckhoff shared. “It ended up being the highlight of the contest.”
More than 300 entries were submitted across four age groups: K–1st, 2nd–3rd, 4th–5th and senior. Finalists were selected anonymously, with commission members and staff voting on their favorites.
Winners were featured in the local newspaper story and received Chamber Bucks to support local businesses, along with Polar Fest hats and polar bear-themed prizes. Classrooms received donated polar bear books, complete with a Detroit Lakes Public Utilities sticker inside.
The Becker County Museum displayed winning artwork and additional entries during Polar Fest events, giving students and seniors a chance to see their creativity celebrated publicly.
“It was a low-cost event with a lot of ‘Value of Public Power’ impact,” Eckhoff said. “We’re part of this community and showing up builds trust. This was a hands-on, feel-good event and created so much enthusiasm.”
The 2nd Annual DLPU Coloring Contest is already in the works.