BY: RACHEL WUMKES
When planning began for the 15th Annual Harvest Festival, the committee knew this year needed to be something special. Something more. Something bigger and better and leaving the participants excited for many years to come.
Mission. Accomplished.
I’m sure you’ve seen the blogs all week long (if not… catch up at www.clearlakeiowa.com) about the amazing music line up and the schedule of events. But what we haven’t touched on yet… is what you can find inside your festival bag.
As always… look for an envelope filled with awesome coupons and discounts from local businesses. Some are even just for Saturday’s festivities, so be sure to check through them before you head uptown!
Your Festival glass for this year is a diamond shaped balloon bowl red wine glass. Simple yet upscale to celebrate 15 years of Harvest Festival fun. Inside each glass, as there’s a little something extra for you! It may be confusing at first glance, sending your imagination into overdrive wondering if it’s a whoopee cushion or maybe shoelaces?
Both guesses are wrong… it’s a silicone straw! You can still be classy and drink wine through a straw. Trust me.
New this year, is the voting ballot for the Pole Decorating contest. Be sure to check out the fabulous creativity by our local businesses and groups and choose the winner! Ballots must be turned in to either the Chamber office or the Info Booth (by the main stage) by 3PM. There are large, wooden letters on each pole for you to note on the ballot which one you choose!
And while you’re voting for the Best Dressed Pole – be sure to also vote for your FAVORITE wine of the day! These vendors spend countless hours searching for the perfect blend of sweet, dry, or unique flavors to entice your taste buds. So don’t forget to VOTE! As with the pole contest, the wine ballots must be turned in to either the Chamber office or the Info Booth (by the main stage) by 3PM.
As you continue to dig through that bag you’re going to find something a little quirky. Y’all have heard of the famous Maxine, right? Well, she took off around downtown Clear Lake this week and we need YOU guys to find her! She might be a bit senile, and she’s been drinking red wine for days now. Who knows where she could be hiding out? Be sure to check your festival bag and find the FOUR Maxine hiding spots inside our local downtown businesses. Game cards must be turned in to either the Chamber office or the Info Booth (by the main stage) by 3PM.
And that Maxine is sneaky, so I’m guessing she won’t be hiding out in plain sight. Huh… guess you’ll just have to browse the store and do a bit of shopping while you search?
Sounds rough!
And last, but not least. Your special gift. Just a little something to say THANKS for giving us the very best 15 years of Harvest Festival fun, and we hope to see you back in the next 15 years! But… it’s a secret. You’ll have to pick up your bag to see what it is!
BAG PICKUP:
Thursday & Friday 8AM – 5PM at the Chamber Office.
Sautrday – 9AM – 3 PM in the Lakeview Room
Oh… and get this… a few bags will be chosen at random to include the following gifts:
- Custom Wine Box **4 total** from American Solutions for Business & the Harvest Fest Committee
- 2 Round Trip tickets to Chicago from Air Choice One
- Dinner for 2 at the Surf District Rock & Roll Grill AND two tickets to Candlebox at the Surf Ballroom
- $77 gift card for Sevens AND two tickets to LOCASH at the Surf Ballroom
- Overnight stay at the Best Western Holiday Lodge and a $50 gift card to The Other Place in Clear Lake
- FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS in Chamber Bucks from the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Plus… there is an awesome gift basket up for grabs for those who vote for their favorite wine of the day, and a gift card bundle (winner chosen at random) for those who play the Find Maxine game.
We also have 2 “Guess the Corks” – One in the Info tent & one in the Chamber Office. Winner #1 gets a gift basket, and winner #2 gets one of the Custom Wine Box gift sets.
So. Many. Prizes!!!!
As of 10am Thursday morning, there are only 166 bags left for purchase. They will go fast, so grab yours before they’re all gone!