Two summertime favorites return to City Park, serving up delicious meals and meaningful community impact

These summer food events do more than fill your plate. The Clear Lake Lions Club and Clear Lake Evening Lions Club serve up crowd-pleasing community meals each summer while raising funds for local scholarships, youth programs, and service projects that strengthen North Iowa.

Clear Lake Noon Lions Chicken BBQ

Sunday, July 19, 2026 • 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. (or until sold out)
City Park, Clear Lake, Iowa

There’s nothing quite like that secret-recipe grilled chicken—crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. This long-running summer tradition includes a meal featuring a half chicken, coleslaw, roll, cookie, and beverage. It’s a Clear Lake summer classic for a reason.

For more than 50 years, the Clear Lake Noon Lions Club’s annual Chicken BBQ has raised tens of thousands of dollars for projects and programs that have helped shape the community. From helping develop Lions Field and supporting other community improvements to funding scholarships, youth programs and vision services, the impact of each meal extends far beyond City Park.

“People come back because of the quality of the chicken, the value of the meal, and because they know the proceeds support so many organizations in the community,” said Dave Fritz, Noon Lions Club secretary.

That tradition of giving continues today. Since 2024 alone, the Noon Lions has reinvested more than $26,000 of Chicken BBQ proceeds into scholarships, youth programs, vision services, community improvements and local initiatives. Additional funding also helps provide eyeglasses, hearing aids, transportation assistance and support for local schools, nonprofits and families in need.

Advance tickets are $12; day of price $14 per meal.

Clear Lake Evening Lions Hamburger & Sweet Corn Feed

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 • 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (or until sold out)
City Park, Clear Lake, Iowa

Sweet corn season meets backyard barbecue at this casual and delicious community event. Enjoy a 1/3 lb grilled hamburger with all the fixings, delicious Iowa sweet corn, and a cookie.

Advance tickets: $12 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under.

“The event requires virtually all our members and the help of the high school cheerleaders and the Nickerson family to make it happen,” said club spokesperson Jeff Tecklenburg. “We serve about 1,200 people. We see it as a community builder as well as a fundraiser, so we put up six large tents that provide a shady spot for interacting with family, friends, and new acquaintances. Food and fellowship in the beautiful City Park!”

️ Purchase advance tickets for both events at the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s new Chamber & Welcome Center, 205 Main Ave. We accept cash or check.

Get Involved: Join a Clear Lake Lions Club

Both Lions Clubs are always looking for new members to help continue their mission of community service in Clear Lake, Iowa. If you’re looking for a way to give back and meet like-minded people, consider joining:

From flipping chicken and grilling burgers to flipping the script on need in our community, the Lions Clubs of Clear Lake live out their motto: We Serve. Come hungry, leave inspired.