Crowds descend on Clear Lake for holiday fun

Clear Lake kicked off its six-day Fourth of July celebration Thursday, June 29, and all indications are that it will be another highly successful event.

“The crowds have been great; weather is cooperating; people are enjoying the music in the park; and Sunday’s wristband day was fabulous,” reported Alice Hanley, chair of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July Committee.  “Blankets started appearing on the parade route on Main a week ahead— I guess showing how anxious everyone is for the festivities.”

Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth said the city celebration was running successfully with only minor issues through Sunday.

“Nothing of note from the list of 268 calls (June 28-July 3) stands out. We have received several parking complaints - like we do every year,” said Chief Roth.  “We work diligently with the Chamber and the other city departments to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for the community.”

The city’s ban on fireworks, which passed in June, is being tested.

As of Monday, July 3, Roth said officers had responded to 28

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reports of fireworks being shot off in the city.  As a result, three charges were filed, all for setting off fireworks.

“The issue this year has been that fireworks are more readily available than last year. You can even buy them in Mason City,” said Roth.

Roth noted that the department has received a total of 39 fireworks calls in 2017, compared to 20 in 2016 over the same period of time.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Ben Bergman said that while the lake has been busy, traffic has been a little lighter than usual.  Sunday’s beautiful weather brought out more boaters, but there have been no accidents of severity and no citations for boating while intoxicated.

“We have been testing (BWI) and stressing that people have designated or sober drivers.  Hopefully the heightened awareness is working,” said Bergman.  “People need to be cognizant of the rules and regulations for the water.”

Bergman noted DNR officers have spotted a number of boaters leaving without pulling the plug in their boat.  “That’s an absolute no-no.  The plug has to be pulled and the vessel drained,” he said, referring to rules designed to stem the spread of zebra mussels lakes.

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