The Indian Lake Region was alive this weekend with visitors braving the chill and occasional snow flurry to see the latest must-have water toys at the Indian Lake Boat Show, the annual kick off to the boating season with food and entertainment at Bud's Marine, Indian Lake Marine and Spend-A-Day Marina.

Sunday at Spend-A-Day, Balloon artist and children's entertainer Erica Carlson inflated smiles for Shelby Marker, 3, left, and Jacob Marker, 7, both of Springfield, who along with their parents attended the boat show with their grandparents from Fort Wayne, Ind., and an aunt and uncle from Detroit.

Perennial community volunteers Don and Jackie Thompson of Indian Lake have been welcoming Indian Lake visitors at various events for decades, including the annual boat show where Mr. Thompson first volunteered in 1975.

EXAMINER PHOTOS | RICK PITTS