BY: RACHEL WUMKES
This blog originally published on April 26, 2018 and has been updated with current event dates for summer 2023.
Summer, Summer, Summertime – get ready to gear up for another full summer of Clear Lake fun!
I know, I know. I’ve jumped the gun just a bit. But with the nicer temps and the fact that I can see green grass in my yard instead of piles of dirty snow, my brain can’t help but think of all the fun coming down the pike. Honestly, I don’t know how the students (and teachers, for that matter) make it through this last month of school.
I can barely make it through the day, I’m so antsy to get outside and just do stuff!
I think of Farmer’s Market. Of strolling through the Surf parking lot while munching on some sort of deliciousness from the food truck on site. Of browsing the many stands of homemade goodness and wishing I was as talented and patient as the folks who make those items. And lastly, I think of watching my kids dance to the live music, of them shaking their little booties to the beat and just being kids. The first Farmer’s Market of the season is May 20th, by the way. So mark your calendars!
Central Gardens opens for the season on May 1st. They’re open from sunrise to sunset, and if you’ve never been there, you definitely need to make it a point to stop and (literally) smell the flowers. Starting Friday, June 2nd, they’ll once again begin the Fresh on Friday’s. This is one of their most popular events for a variety of reasons. Every Friday morning from June through August guests are able to purchase beautiful, freshly-cut bouquets from the Gardens, arranged by creative volunteers. Thinking of volunteering? They’re hosting a Volunteer Open House on April 30th!
And then, there’s one of the best things Clear Lake has to offer. For real. I’ve talked to a lot of people over the years from other towns, and when I tell them that Thursdays on Main happens each and every week, they can’t believe it. I spend my Thursdays on a rotation, eating tacos at the VFW one week, Philly Cheesesteaks at Rookies the next, followed by a visit to each and every food truck.
Don’t judge… I like food. A lot.
There’s nothing like strolling the streets of Clear Lake while your children run wild, begging you for ice cream money, or challenge the Robotics Club. The event has grown so much since it began in 2009, with new things added every year. Who can forget the Gyro Place’s mechanical bull last summer? We hear it’s coming back, plus we have some more fun stuff planned with Wayne’s Ski & Cycle, so stay tuned! It’s seriously one of the coolest things that happens in this town!
And then, just the other day, I ran some errands and noticed they had 4th of July clothes out for little kids already. Of course I had to get something, because only in Clear Lake do you need at least three complete outfits to wear during all that Independence Day fun.
This year, being that the Fourth falls on a Tuesday, we’ll jump-start our activities with the opening of the Evans United Carnival on Thursday, June 29th. We’re going to have a grand kickoff opening ceremony to celebrate the Evans Family’s 50th year in Clear Lake! It’s sure to be a fun week of music, food, and drinks with our spectacular lake in the background. Visit our July 4th page for a list of the nightly entertainment plus BINGO and Lakeside Vendor Market hours.
So you see? I can’t help it. It’s hard not to get excited about all these upcoming events. And this doesn’t even cover a lot of what’s happening at the Lake. For a full listing and to see our calendar of events, and be sure to sign up for our weekly events email. It’s sure to bring joy to your inbox each Thursday morning thinking about all the fun you’ll have at the lake!
So enjoy your spring, but get ready to gear up for another full summer of Clear Lake fun!