 For more than 70 years the Water Carnival has been an annual summer tradition in Bemidji. Tonight, Haiti Clowder shows us how the Bemidji JC's are now taking it back to where it all started. This way for the Bemidji JC's. They held a press conference to discuss changes for its 73rd annual Water Carnival. The festival is a six-day event that goes along with the city's Fourth of July celebration. It's just a tradition for the community. We like to see everybody come out and bring their families. People seem to look forward to it. A new logo was unveiled featuring none other than Paul and Babe in highlighting the location change to Fourth Street. Last year the Water Carnival was held at the Sanford Center, but due to construction that changed. It may be snowing now, but come this summer, Fourth Street and the city lot will be filled with Marion's Midway. The last time it was held at this location was in 1995. The parade will be shortened by five blocks and will travel from 15th Street, then south down Beltrami Avenue, turn west on Fifth Street and then travel north on Minnesota. The carnival will also have an effect on local businesses downtown, but the Bemidji JC's are hopeful for a positive impact. Bringing the Water Carnival back downtown is an important thing for them during that time. Parking will be a big deal and city manager Nate Matthews believes the Bemidji JC's will work well together with the Bemidji Downtown Alliance to find a solution. We'll be able to work it through okay. We've got good communication with the Downtown Business Alliance and the city and we'll be communicating with them with the JC's leadership on the best way to handle the parking this summer. While some things still need to be figured out, this big move will show how the community has evolved. It's a time for us to celebrate our lake and it's a time to get together in the summer with our visitors and also with the residents of Bemidji to celebrate summer and celebrate our community. In Bemidji, Haiti-Claude, Lakeland News. Last year an estimated 10,000 people attended the Water Carnival that featured in an entertainment tent, a fireworks show and more. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.