BY: RACHEL WUMKES

I’d like to make it known for the record that I, Rachel Wumkes, a forty-year-old woman of sound mind, has made a paper chain.

Yes, you read that correctly.  A paper chain.  Just like the one my Kindergartener made last winter to countdown the days until Christmas.  It hangs proudly from the side of my desk and each day I discard one circle into the trash can.

Don’t judge!

I made said chain to signify the official countdown until our super fantastical 4th of July Extravaganza makes its grand re-entrance into our lives!

Because seriously… did we all not miss the ever-loving heck out of it last year?

I’ve been pondering for days now as to what I’m going to do first.  Do I hit up the Ferris Wheel?  Grab a bucket of cheese balls?  Maybe I should snag a seat at the Bingo Tent.  I can’t decide, there are just too many fun activities going on at once!

As I was feeling a bit nostalgic this morning, I decided to check out old blogs I had written about the holiday in the past.  After spending a good hour in the rabbit hole of pure awesomeness, I came to the conclusion that I really love this holiday.

I mean, how could you not?

Maybe if you lived in some boring town in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do and no community celebration.  But we live in CLEAR LAKE.  The middle of everywhere with a killer 6-day non-stop party of live music, games, lake activities, a giant carnival, fireworks over the lake, and awesome parade down Main Avenue.

So, let’s all take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?

There was that one time I rode the “Freak Out” ride and screamed through the entire thing.  And who can forget the incredibly awesome remix of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?”  Then, there’s my very first blog post about the 4th of July of all time.

I think that one is my favorite.

Regardless of how much fun past 4th of July Extravaganza’s have been, I just have a feeling this year is going to blow them all out of the water.  After the 2020 cancellation due to COVID, I have been longing for some old-fashioned Clear Lake Independence Day fun.

I’ll be the one salivating over at the fried pickle stand.  The one buzzing from ride to ride, screaming and laughing and enjoying every single second I possibly can.

But for now, well, it’s time to pull off another link in my epic paper chain as we are one day closer to having all the fun.

For a complete rundown of all the awesomeness happening in town, be sure to check out https://clearlakeiowa.com/events/4th-of-july/

We are still looking to fill some BINGO tent volunteer slots, which you can sign up for HERE.

See you at the Lake!