The Plum Ski-ters will return to the Portage Canal to entertain Bridgefest visitors. On Saturday, the non-profit group of expert water-skiers will uncurl the ropes and launch the boats to build human pyramids, towers and execute amazing tricks.
President Kate Draeger says the family enjoys coming back each summer. The Portage Canal’s cold waters offer the team a challenge early in the season.
“We force ourselves to get out on the waters just so we can make sure that we’re up to par, ready to put on the show since it’s so early in the season,” Draeger said. “We do the best we can with the minimal practice. I think we’ve only been on the water three days, maybe four.”
The team spans multiple generations, creating a unique family atmosphere.
“We have, I think our youngest skier is my daughter who’s eight, all the way up to, gosh, our boat drivers who ski sometimes are in their sixties,” Draeger said. “We’re multi-generational. My daughter’s actually third generation. My mom got me started when I was nine.”
The Plum Ski-ters perform twice on Saturday, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Draeger emphasizes boater safety during the shows, noting that wakes unsafe for normal boats are extremely unsafe for water-skiers performing intense tricks.
She adds the best view of the show will come from Kestner Park. Throughout the day, attendees may see skiers around the festival grounds as they also enjoy time spent in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
More information about Bridgefest activities can be found online. The parade begins at 7 p.m. Friday evening.
