Lakefront Days to celebrate 35th anniversary

Prior Lake American

What was once a one-day, small community celebration 35 years ago has transformed into the current Lakefront Days, which will be at Lakefront Park Aug. 2-4.

“Lakefront Days was created ... 35 years ago by a group of residents and business owners that wanted to do a town celebration,” Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce President Sandi Fleck said. “It is evolving, changing it up, adding days, taking away days — it’s kind of changing to what our community wants.”

Over the years, the festival put on by the chamber has made some subtle changes, like going from “day” to “days” to much larger transformations.

“This is my 17th year,” Fleck said. “It’s changed. All 17 years it just evolves and it is fun and it is exciting to start prepping for this event in January. It is great to have the community come out and enjoy it.”

Fun times

This year, Lakefront Days will kick off with a wine and beer tasting and business expo on Thursday at Lakefront Park, 5000 Kop Parkway, sponsored by local business Viking Liquor Barrel. In case of bad weather, the event will move to Prior Lake City Hall, 4646 Dakota St. SE.

“It’s a good way to meet friends, neighbors, family and celebrate this small town,” Fleck said.

To take part in the event, attendees must be at least 21 years old and must have IDs. Advanced tickets are available from Viking Liquor Barrel for $15 or for $20 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 2 and the event will go until 9 p.m.

“That is all the same,” Fleck said. “We still partner with Viking Liquor, we still have business vendors who sell food, we still have a silent auction.”

On Friday, the celebration will open at 4 p.m. with the carnival, inflatables, Gamin’ Ride, food, beverages and vendors. The purchase of a $3 wristband allows access to the inflatables each day and the ninja obstacle course and superhero meet-and-greet on Saturday.

Carnival tickets can be purchased in advance through Aug. 1 at Viking Liquor Barrel, 16290 State Hwy 13, or the Chamber of Commerce office, 4785 Dakota St. SE, for $10 for five rides.

Food from The Pointe, Carbone’s, Brick Oven Bus, Hy-Vee, Jordan’s Supper Club, Brothers Gutierrez and more will be available at Lakefront Days. A full list can be found on the chamber’s website, priorlakechamber.com, including options and prices.

Friday will also feature three different “Princess Parties” at 4 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., featuring “Enchanted Frozen Sisters” and “Scottish Princess.”

Parents are encouraged to pre-register for the princess parties at business.priorlakechamber.com. If space is available on the day of, tickets will be $10 per child.

For a second year, Lakefront Days will have a “Yappy Hour” where residents and visitors can bring their pet to happy hour, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday.

On Friday night, Band of Brothers, a local Jordan band, will perform at 5 p.m., followed by Church of Cash, a Johnny Cash tribute band, at 7:30 p.m.

Family-friendly events

Saturday is the busiest day for Lakefront Days, with events starting at 7:30 a.m. and going until 10 p.m. Saturday will begin with 5K or one mile paddle board races as part of the Prior Lake Paddle Dash. Check-in for the races will be from 7:30 to 8 a.m. with awards at 10 a.m.

The race will be $30 for those 15 years old or older and $20 for 14 years old or younger. The board rental fee is $10, but must be reserved in advance by emailing mnmermaid@outlook.com.

At 9 a.m. the inflatables and a new ninja obstacle course (based on the show Ninja Warriors) will open at 9 a.m. Shoes are encouraged but not required for the course. Regular clothing is required (no swim suits).

“We’re also bringing in a ninja obstacle course,” Fleck said. “It is new this year. You have to be five or over and anyone from five to 17 has to have a parent sign a waiver.”

The Prior Lake-Savage Optimist Club Kiddie Parade will start at 9:45 a.m. and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the carnival will open and the regular parade will begin. Participants in the kiddie parade can register at business.priorlakechamber.com. The kiddie parade is free.

“Kids can decorate their bikes and their trikes and wagons, parents can do wagons and strollers and have everyone sign up for that,” Fleck said. “We have a couple mascots leading the parade route.”

At noon, games, vendors and Gamin’ Ride will open. From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., there will be a Home Depot Workshop.

“Kids will be creating a craft and will be able to take it back home,” Fleck said.

There will be more Princess Parties at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. At 1 p.m. there will be a bean bag toss tournament and free paddle board and pontoon rides at Watzl’s Beach.

Those wanting to participate in the bean bag toss tournament can register online at business.priorlakechamber.com. If space is available, residents can sign up on the day of the event. There will be a cash prize for the top four teams.

From 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Spiderman and Captain America will be at the Lakefront Pavilion for a meet-and-greet. On Saturday, Kidsdance will perform at the bandshell at noon, followed by Trainwreck Duet at 4 p.m., 23rd Hour at 6 p.m. and Tom Petty tribute band Free Fallin at 9 p.m.

The night will finish with fireworks at 10 p.m.

“We’re a bigger city, but we’re still a small town,” Fleck said. “When you go to our local festival, you get to see your friends and your family and maybe you haven’t seen them for a while. It’s just a great gathering place.”

The money from the celebration will go to the Chamber of Commerce for future business and community events.

Fleck said the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce is still looking for volunteers or groups of volunteers to help run the event, including the inflatables and other activities.

“We’re still looking for some local volunteers and groups of volunteers — anyone that would like to do some community service projects,” Fleck said. “We definitely need some help in inflatables and cleaning and driving the golf cart everywhere. We have a lot of opportunities for our local residents.”

Email Fleck at sandi@priorlakechamber.com to volunteer. Go to business.priorlakechamber.com for more information about Lakefront Days.