The most wonderful time of the year!

(Above) The popular holiday movie, “The Christmas Story” was brought to life by the Lake Theater crew in their winning Lighted Parade entry.  Here, Flick, played by Duke Olthoff, has his tongue stuck to the flag pole aboard the Lake Theater float.

Watching the fireworks over the lake Saturday night, five-year-old Cruz Morf declared, “This is the best weekend ever!”

He wasn’t alone.

Thousands spent Saturday in Clear Lake reveling in holiday spirit.   The annual Christmas By The Lake festivities, along with the Festival of Trees at Opportunity Village, were well attended and enjoyed.

“It was another fantastic event.  Our committee, as usual, did a fantastic job,” said Gene Madson, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce committee which plans the event.

New entertainment at the Arts Center was well received, as well as more and different Dickens characters on Main Street.  “I think there may have been more people at the parade and fireworks than I have ever seen before.”

Chamber awards lighted parade winners

An entry from the Lake Theater depicting a famous scene from the holiday classic “The Christmas Story,” was awarded first place in the Christmas By The Lake Lighted Parade.  The winner also earned $300 in Chamber Bucks.

Second place and $175 in Chamber Bucks went to an entry sponsored by Ollenberg Motors, Lake Fireplace & Spa and Loons Nest Resort.

Third place and $75 in Chamber Bucks was given to a Toy Story entry featuring MBT Bank employees.