A flurry of activity in a Winter Wonderland

BY: RACHEL WUMKES

I’m not sure “flurry of activity” is the right phrase to use in this title.  It might be more of a full-on blizzard of activity.  All the fun will be swirling around Main Avenue in Clear Lake this weekend.  The Christmas cheer will be so thick, you won’t be able to see straight from being simply delirious with joy.

Because there are SO MANY things happening this weekend at the Lake!

The annual Christmas by the Lake festivities kick off on Thursday evening at 5:30pm with One Vision’s annual Lights on 5K fun run.  There’s still time to get registered at www.lightson5k.org.  Participants are encouraged to dress up in fun Christmas attire.

On Friday you can immerse yourself into a winter wonderland at the Surf Ballroom for Lorrie Morgan’s Enchanted Christmas show.  Morgan was a country music icon in the 90s and is sure to bring out your holiday spirit.

I suggest everyone gets a good night of sleep on Friday, because Saturday is JAM- PACKED with Christmas fun on Main Avenue!

Here is the official rundown of events:

Breakfast with Santa 7-11am
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (1101 9th Ave S)
Presented by the Knights of Columbus with the Boy Scouts, enjoy
pancakes, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee provided by Cabin Coffee!
$6 per person, no advance ticket sales, pay at the door.

Holiday Bake Sale & Crafts 8:30am-12:30pm
United Methodist Church (508 2nd Ave N)
Cookies, candies, breads & more treats, plus crafts, books and holiday decorations.

Holiday Bazaar & Vendor Market 9am-3pm
Clear Lake Middle School (1601 3rd Ave N)
There will be donuts and coffee in the morning and a sloppy joe meal deal for $5 in the afternoon.
There will also be a bake sale and door prizes.

“The Christmas Story” Indoor Nativity Scene Displays 9am-4pm
Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church
Enjoy free cookies, cocoa, & coffee

Clear Lake Candy Land Contest Voting 10am-5pm
Clear Lake Arts Center

Story Time
Clear Lake Public Library
2 sessions, 10:30am & 11:30am, ages 3-6

Pizza & Photos with the Grinch & Cindy Lou Who 10am-3pm
Lakeview Room
Clear Lake Dance Team Fundraiser

BINGO 11am-3pm
VFW
C.A.R.E.S. Fundraiser

Crowning of Prince & Princess 11am
Clear Lake Bank & Trust

Family Matinee, Elf (PG) 11am
Lake Theatre
Free admission with a donation to the food bank (cash or non-perishable items).

Simply Nourished Outdoor Christmas Market 11am-3pm
N 3rd St (along City Park)

Petting Zoo 11:30am-3:30pm
City Park

Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Performance times, 12:30pm, 2:30pm & 4:00pm
Clear Lake Arts Center

Christmas Karaoke & S’mores 1-4pm
400 Block of Main Avenue

Professor Von Air Balloon Artist 1-4pm
Zion on Main (corner of 5th & Main)

Zion Dock Activities 1-4pm
400 Block of Main Avenue
Cookie decorating, inflatables, kid’s activities, a Winter Princess photo opportunity, snacks, hot drinks & entertainment.

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus 1-4pm & 6-7pm
Santa’s House in City Park

FSB Warming House 1-4pm
Farmers State Bank
Enjoy warm drinks & popcorn inside FSB (210 1st Ave N)

Horse Drawn Sleigh & Carriage Rides 2-4:30pm
Boarding locations: Wilcox Furniture and Ge-Jo’s

Strolling Dickens Characters 2-5pm
Main Avenue & Downtown
Victorian characters sing and mingle with the crowd.

Lighted Parade and Spectacular Fireworks Finale over the lake begin at 5:07pm
Parade begins at 8th & Main and will travel down Main Avenue and N Lakeview Drive.
Fireworks display will begin after the parade.

Jazz Coalition Big Band 7pm
EB Stillman Auditorium (1601 3rd Ave N)
Founded in March 2005, the Jazz Coalition Big Band contains some of North Iowa’s finest jazz musicians.
Thanks to a generous donor, admission is free. During this season of giving, free will monetary or food donations are accepted at the door.

See what I mean about ALL THE FUN??

Whew!  Saturday is going to be an amazing day to be at the Lake!  But the fun doesn’t end there…  oh no.  Sunday rounds out the full weekend with some “frigid” activities for a good cause!

Family Matinee, Polar Express (G) 11am
Lake Theatre
Free admission with a donation to the food bank (cash or non-perishable items).

Polar Bear Plunge presented by Clear Lake Jaycees 12:30pm
City Beach
10:30 AM: Check-in/Registration and pre-party for Plungers at the VFW in Clear Lake. All participants will receive a BOGO token to enjoy a cocktail or beer.
12:00 PM: Check-in/Registration moves to the Yacht Club
12:30 PM: Plungers take the plunge!
1:00 PM: Warming Party at Tap’d (Tap’d will have a band and all participants will receive a BOGO token to enjoy a cocktail or beer at the party.)
Warming tents will be onsite to change afterwards. When you check-in, you can provide your team name in order to be announced to plunge together. Fun costumes or outfits encouraged but not required.

Registration is a donation to the local Toys for Tots + Clear Lake Kids & Families In Need Fund. A minimum donation of $50 will get you 2022 Polar Bear Plunge Long Sleeved Shirt. SHIRTS AND SIZES WILL BE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE UNLESS YOU MESSAGE THE CLEAR LAKE JAYCEES FACEBOOK PAGE BY NOVEMBER 4TH WITH YOUR SIZE.

Want the sweet shirt but not wanting to fully commit to jumping in the lake? Join our Toe Dippers Club. You still get the swag, still get to attend the pre-party/post-party , still get the cold sensation with a tip of your foot, and our charities still get your support, its win-win-win.

If you would like to donate and not dip, feel free to venmo @ClearLake-Jaycees.

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus 1-4pm
Santa’s House in City Park

It’s going to be an INCREDIBLE weekend in Clear Lake, my friends!

Be sure to share the news with people you know across North Iowa so they can venture to our beautiful little lake town and enjoy all the fun with us!

The more the merrier!