It’s going to be a fun one!

BY: RACHEL WUMKES

I must sound a bit like a broken record, but we are on the cusp of another fabulously fun weekend at the Lake!  This one, however, has some interesting pieces adding to the anticipation and excitement.  A drop of culture.  An ounce of creativity.

The Clear Lake Public Library’s 2023 Summer Reading Program comes to an end this week.  To celebrate, they have brought in storytellers from across the Midwest for an epic celebration.

The Iowa Storytelling Festival kicks off with the Ghost Boat Cruise.  The storyteller, Darrin Crow, will perform dockside from 6:30 – 8:00pm.  Each story guaranteed to raise the hair on the back of your neck and send a bit of a shiver down your spine.

Then, at dusk, the Lady will make a short cruise across the lake as the sun dips below the horizon.  Keep in mind, this voyage is for anyone 18 years and older, and tickets can be purchased at the Clear Lake Library.

On Saturday, the storytelling fun continues in City Park with the following performances:

9:00am – Darrin Crow

10:30am – TellersBridge

1:00pm – Sarah Poff

But that’s not the only thing happening around town this weekend.  City Park and the Arts Center grounds will be a buzz of excitement as we welcome artists to the 44th annual Art Sail.

Art can be a scary word for some people.  People often feel if they don’t know and understand art, they’ll feel awkward or out of place.

That’s okay!  Nobody will check your credentials at the entrance to see if you’re cultured enough to attend this event.  In fact, feel free to chat with the artists and ask questions about their work.  They love to share their story and passion for doing what they do.

And you just might learn a thing or two!

The Clear Lake Arts Center has over 60 artists setting up shop in City Park and the Sukup Performing Arts Wing from 9am – 4pm on Saturday.  There will be food trucks, art activities, and musicians on hand as well.

The primary focus of the Art Sail is the juried exhibition of quality fine art.  A variety of mediums will be represented for all ages to explore and enjoy.

Whew!  That’s a lot of culture for one weekend at the Lake!  But the fun doesn’t stop there.  As always, Clear Lake will be hopping with activity.

Here is a rundown of some of the scheduled weekend events.  We like to kick things off big here at the Lake with Thursdays on Main and then sail into a weekend of fun.

Check it out!

THURSDAYS ON MAIN – Date: July 20, 2023 – Time: 06:00 PM – 09:00 PM

RECORD SHOW POPUP – 173 Craft Distillery – Date: July 20, 2023 – Time: 04:00 PM – 08:00 PM

LIVE MUSIC AT TAP’D – REED – Date: July 20, 2023 – Time: 09:00 PM – 11:55 PM

FRESH ON FRIDAY – Central Gardens – Date: July 21, 2023 – Time: 09:00 AM – 11:00 AM

LIVE MUSIC AT 173 CRAFT DISTILLERY – Luke LeBlanc – Date: July 21, 2023 – Time: 07:30 PM – 09:30 PM

BROTHERS OSBORNE – Surf Ballroom – Date: July 21, 2023 – Time: 07:30 PM – 09:30 PM

LIVE MUSIC AT TAP’D – Ryne Owen – Date: July 21, 2023 – Time: 09:00 PM – 11:55 PM

YOGA BY THE LAKE – Seawall – Date: July 22, 2023 – Time: 07:00 AM

FARMER’S MARKET – Surf Ballroom Parking Lot – Date: July 22, 2023 – Time: 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM

LIVE MUSIC AT TAP’D – Don Fisher – Date: July 22, 2023 – Time: 09:00 PM – 11:55 PM

Oh, that’s not all.  The fun weekend continues to roll on through Sunday!

WORSHIP IN THE PARK – Date: July 23, 2023 – Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

PICNICS & PERFORMANCES – Vintage Café – Central Gardens – Date: July 23, 2023 – Time: 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM

GORDY & DEBBIE – The VFW – Date: July 23, 2023 – Time: 05:00 PM – 08:00 PM

LONNY LYNN ORCHESTRA – Surf Ballroom – Date: July 23, 2023 – Time: 05:30 PM – 09:00 PM

You can find a complete listing of community events on our events calendar.

See you at the Lake!