By: Ashley Weiss

As fireworks light up the sky this Independence Day in Clear Lake, the community will also shine a well-deserved spotlight on a leader whose dedication has helped shape the heart of the city.

The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb has been selected as the grand marshal for this year’s July 4th parade, a fitting honor for the city’s longest consecutively serving mayor

as he prepares to retire at the end of the year after two decades in office.

The parade, themed “Love of Country, Love of Community,” will highlight his lasting contributions to Clear Lake, where he has served as mayor since 2006.

“His support of our community is unwavering,” said Alice Hanley, July 4th Committee chair, who has known Crabb for more than 40 years. “He doesn’t just ‘talk the talk,’ but he ‘walks the walk.’

“Even before Nelson was elected mayor, he and his family were very involved with all things Clear Lake. He is a great ambassador for our city.”

Crabb, who grew up in Franklin, New Jersey — a small, diverse zinc mining town in the Appalachian region — arrived in Iowa in 1961 to attend Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, where he joined a fraternity and earned a biology degree in 1965.

After graduating college, he returned to New Jersey and received a draft notice. While awaiting word from the U.S. Air Force, Crabb was offered a sixth-grade teaching position by a local superintendent. During that time, he got engaged to his now-wife, Darlene, an Iowa native who missed the Midwest, prompting him to apply for teaching jobs in Iowa and Illinois.

Crabb arrived in Clear Lake in 1966 to teach fifth grade for a couple years before transitioning to junior high, where he also coached a variety of sports.

The couple initially planned to stay in Clear Lake for two years, but they developed a close circle of friends, enjoyed their jobs and appreciated the community, so they stayed and raised their three children.

Crabb earned a master’s degree in school administration and counseling from Iowa State University in 1971 and became the director of student services at the high school before later becoming the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) director of secondary education. He retired in 2002.

After some adjunct teaching, traveling and “honey-do” tasks, Crabb turned his attention to local discussions about the lake’s condition.

“I started to think, what would this town be like without the lake?” he recalls. “It’d be totally different.”

When it became clear that then-mayor Kirk Kraft wasn’t going to seek re-election, Crabb saw an opportunity to continue to help. The lake quality discussions became a community-wide movement, where everyone from the Association for the Preservation of Clear Lake to the Chamber to the county to the cities of Clear Lake and Ventura, worked together, and ultimately, led to a large-scale dredging project aimed at revitalizing the lake.

So why run again — and again — for mayor?

“To see that process through,” he says. “And because it never really ends. There’s always more to do.”

Crabb has continued to be an advocate and champion for lake restoration and water quality improvements during his tenure as mayor, including the recent Seawall restoration project.

He has also been a driving force behind the redevelopment of the Surf District and the preservation of Main Avenue, ensuring that these iconic areas remain vibrant and welcoming to visitors and residents alike.

New housing projects, commercial developments and quality-of-life opportunities have also boomed under Crabb’s leadership.

Asked why he’s stepping away now, after two decades in office, he said, “I’m not tired of it, but I feel like it’s time for a new voice.”

As he prepares to step down at the end of 2025, Crabb’s advice to his successor is simple: get to know the entire town, listen to everyone, and lead with empathy.

“Having worked alongside Mayor Crabb for nearly two decades, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication, and steady leadership he brings to our community. His commitment to public service has not only guided us through times of change and growth but has also fostered a spirit of unity and pride that makes our city stronger,” said Jennifer Larsen, Clear Lake City Clerk. “It will be an honor to celebrate him as grand marshal this 4th of July.”

The Chamber will formally honor Mayor Crabb as he leads the Independence Day parade on Friday, July 4. The parade, which begins at 10 a.m., is expected to attract thousands of spectators and serve as a memorable capstone to a remarkable civic career.

“Twenty years is a long time to be mayor. There have been many accomplishments during his tenure and many challenges.  He has handled them all with integrity, honesty, and grace,” Hanley said. “Nelson embodies the parade theme of ‘Love of Country, Love of Community.’ We are pleased to honor him as grand marshal of this year’s 4th of July parade. It is very well-deserved.”

A Look Back: Chronological List of Clear Lake July 4th Parade Grand Marshals

Each year, the Clear Lake July 4th Parade brings our community together in a vibrant celebration of patriotism and local pride. One of the highlights of this beloved tradition is the selection of the Grand Marshal, an honor bestowed upon individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to our community. Click here for the list of honored Grand Marshals of Clear Lake’s July 4th Parade, celebrating their dedication and impact on our community.