A Wow of a Week!

by Marianne GasawayClear Lake prides itself on providing the biggest and best Fourth of July celebration in the state and 2022 festivities lived up to the hype.City Park was still humming Tuesday afternoon as kids took advantage of one last wristband day to get their fill of rides.  Evans United Shows was wrapping up its weeklong stay and putting the final touches on another successful stay.“We always love coming to Clear Lake and this has been another great year,” said carnival owners Tom and Nancy Evans.  Clear Lake marks the midway point of Evans’ schedule and is always a highpoint of their year.As the operation continues to rebound from cancelled dates due to COVID in 2020, and faces new challenges of high diesel prices and worker shortages, the couple says they always appreciate Clear Lake.  The opportunity to greet old friends and see new ones while here make this a second home, they say.Although a seven-day stay is unusual, the Evans say there have been other extended stays, but they have been the result of poor weather limiting the time the carnival could be open.  This year the weather cooperated and the park was steadily filled.“The park is always a great place to be at any time.  No matter how hot it is, there’s always a cool breeze and shady spot to relax and watch people, enjoy music or get something to eat,” said Tom.The Evans and Chamber of Commerce leaders will be meeting after closing time on Tuesday to go over the financial details of the event, but Chamber President and CEO Stacy Doughan said the 2022 event could rival the record breaking 2021 celebration.“We’re so grateful for the community support, volunteers, donors and staff who make the Fourth of July possible,” said Doughan.  “It’s always a great week when Evan’s United Carnival is [wlm_nonmember]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember][wlm_ismember]in town. We’re looking forward to celebrating Evan’s 50th annual carnival in Clear Lake next year!”Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth added his thanks to the community and supporting entities for their help in making the holiday a safe one.“We were thankful that we did have assistance from the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office staffing the event and the Iowa State Patrol was also available if we needed further help,” said Roth.  “I appreciate all the extra hours that all city staff, the Chamber, and the many volunteers work to make this event a success. I also want to thank our community for their patience during the seven-day event.”Early numbers show the number of total calls for service made to Clear Lake’s dispatch topped 500 this year (505 through 1 p.m. Tuesday).  During the six-day celebration in 2021 there were 464 calls for service; in 2019 the number was 426.  The number of calls received concerning fireworks appears to be down this year.  According to Roth, as of 1 p.m. Tuesday officers had responded to 22 fireworks complaints this year and made several cites.  That is compared to 40 firework calls in 2021.Parade winnersThe Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has named the winners in its July 4th Parade.Harrison Ford was awarded first place and $250 in Chamber Bucks; CL Tel was second and was presented with $150 in Chamber Bucks; third place and $100 in Chamber Bucks went to Pritchard Famiy Auto.[/wlm_ismember]