Record-Breaking Harvest Festival Draws 13,665 to Clear Lake
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa – The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its largest Harvest Festival to date on Saturday, Oct. 3, welcoming an estimated 13,665 attendees to downtown Clear Lake for a full day of shopping, wine tasting, live entertainment and fall festivities.
The record-setting crowd included visitors exploring 136 vendors and 16 wine and beverage tasting locations, along with Clear Lake’s downtown shops, restaurants and businesses. Following the event, numerous Chamber members reported record sales during Harvest Festival.
“Seeing 13,665 people come together in downtown Clear Lake was incredible, but hearing from our Chamber members that they experienced record sales is what really makes the day a success,” said Trish Fundermann, Events Director for the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. “Harvest Festival is one of Clear Lake’s signature events, and this year was our biggest yet.”
Best Wine of the Day
Festival attendees once again had the chance to vote for their favorite tasting of the day. The 2026 winners were:
1st Place: Madison County Winery – Lollipop
2nd Place: 3 Drunk Brothers Meadery – Blood Orange
3rd Place: Soldier Creek Winery – Paragon Pink
Gary Christensen took home the title in the Harvest Festival Salsa Contest, while the Shako Stompers claimed victory in the always-popular Grape Stomp.
Champagne 5K Kicks Off Harvest Festival Weekend
Harvest Festival weekend began with the 8th Annual Champagne 5K, which welcomed 214 runners and walkers to Clear Lake. Participants crossed the finish line with bubbles in the air and champagne waiting to toast their accomplishment.
The 2026 Champagne 5K winners were:
Men:
1st – Ben Lloyd
2nd – Trevor Ronnei
3rd – Mac Spotts
Women:
1st – Lillie Stockberger
2nd – Melissa Coulter
3rd – Tracy Walker
Youth:
1st – Luciano Cannistra
2nd – Lyla Brookshire
3rd – Carter Hall
The event also recognized participants who brought a little extra creativity to the course. Kristy Shafer won Best Individual Costume as the “Professional Wine Runner,” with a prize donated by T’s Sweets. The “Criminals” team of Michelle Dornbier, Robin Hamrick, Gina Prohaska and Conrae Huinker won Best Group Costume, with a prize donated by Lake Pin & Play. Bear the Spider, with owner Abby Assink, earned Best Pet Costume, with a prize donated by Paws at the Lake.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce thanks the businesses and organizations whose support helped make the record-breaking 2026 Harvest Festival possible.
Presenting Sponsors: Curries/ASSA ABLOY and Rookies/Sevens/TAP’d
Gold Sponsors: CL Tel, Clear Lake Bank and Mediacom
Silver Sponsors: Bergland + Cram, Dean Snyder Construction and Laird Law Firm
Bronze Sponsors: Oakwood Care Center and Joy Supply Co.
Champagne 5K Sponsors: Bank Iowa, BRANDED by ASB, CENT Credit Union, Hogan-Hansen, McKesson, Mort’s Water Company and Studio 65
The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce also extends its thanks to the vendors, tasting partners, downtown businesses, volunteers, race participants and thousands of visitors who helped make the 2026 Harvest Festival one for the record books.
Save the Date: Harvest Festival October 2, 2027