Events in Clear Lake today

Build safe riding habits with a focused moped safety class that emphasizes awareness, good judgment, keen observation, and wearing a helmet every time. This course is required for anyone under 16 who plans to earn a moped license, and it also provides a helpful foundation for a future driver's license. Participants must be 14 or within six months of turning 14. To register, call 641-422-4358 and have your child's information ready. Students should bring a sack lunch for the day of class.

Hosted at the North Iowa Fair & Events Center, the Veteran Stand Down in Mason City features the return of the Iowa Remembering Our Fallen memorial. The schedule includes doors opening to begin the day, an opening ceremony, and a closing ceremony to conclude the gathering. The memorial will be on site during the event.

Clear Lake Farmers Market sets up in the Surf Ballroom parking lot and features live music each week. Performers include Sam Crosser, Hemsworth Brothers, Island Fever, Happy Campers, Jordan Messerole, Jeff Boehnke, Jen Garmin, Bill Lester, and Kristy N.

Part of Garner's Oktoberfest, this outdoor marketplace takes over State Street with crafts, vendors, and boutique finds. Booths fill the center of the street and live music plays throughout the day. Attendees can browse a variety of offerings, enjoy the beer garden, and take in more festivities along the way.

With fall underway, this annual cleanup focuses on getting the park ready for winter. Volunteers will gather in the campground at site 48, at the top of the hill by the shower building. Lunch is provided for everyone who helps. Plan to bring a rake, gloves, and comfortable work shoes and clothing. Projects may include taking down the movie screen, preparing the goats winter home, raking, splitting wood, staining, and tilling the playground.

Teams of two tackle 27 holes split into three distinct formats. The opening nine is best ball, with both players playing their own ball and the team counting the lower score. The middle nine is alternate shot. When a putt drops, the partner takes the next tee shot, and on the first hole of this segment both golfers tee off before alternating from there. The final nine is best shot. The competition uses a shotgun start. The entry fee is $60 per person, with cart rental additional.

An autumn tasting event celebrates the season's golden glow with candlelight, harvest richness, and the joy of being together. Katie Casey's Seasonal Market becomes an intimate open-air setting featuring artful small plates, carefully made drinks, flowers, and live acoustic music by 2nd Ave Society. The experience unfolds in stages, beginning with a warm nod to the harvest, moving through lighter then heartier seasonal plates, and finishing with a playful array of fall sweets. While it is not a formal seated dinner, the full sequence is designed to feel like a complete meal. Every ticket includes the entire tasting, three curated beverages with both spirited and non-alcoholic options, and live music throughout the evening. The atmosphere is easygoing and social, inviting people to wander, gather around harvest tables, savor another bite or drink, and take time with the season. Tickets are limited to keep the event intimate.

West Hancock visits Garner-Hayfield-Ventura for back-to-back games at Garner Hayfield Ventura High School. The 7th grade matchup takes place first, followed by the 8th grade game.

Experience a welcoming setting at the Clear Lake Arts Center where painters gather each week to work on projects, trade ideas, and connect with one another. Bring your own supplies. The Wednesday painters provide a relaxed opportunity to meet fellow creatives and enjoy unhurried time making art together.

Reserve 173° Bar & Grill in Clear Lake hosts Bingo Daddy for a weekly bingo night filled with laughs, prizes, and upbeat energy. Guests can pair the games with cocktails, spirits, and food in a relaxed, social setting. Friends, coworkers, and even lucky charms fit right in, turning the middle of the week into a lively hangout.

Settle in for a relaxing bus ride to the Amana Colonies, a National Historic Landmark and one of Iowa’s favorite places to visit. Enjoy a full day browsing shops, stopping by bakeries and wineries, and dining at local restaurants while taking in the area’s rich history and distinctive culture. With so much to see, a single visit often feels too short, making this a day trip to remember.

Sara will be selling her books, including her newest title, Unique Eats and Eateries of Iowa. She will be available to sign books and photos.

St. Croix Hospice bereavement staff facilitate a weekly, in-person support group focused on grief and loss. Each month highlights a different topic with practical guidance for coping with the painful realities of bereavement. Anyone grieving a spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, or other family member is welcome, including those who did not receive services from St. Croix Hospice. Participants may share their story and connect with others in a supportive setting, and speaking is encouraged but never required. Attend as it fits your schedule. Registration is not required.

Cruise in for a Halloween light spectacular where every shimmer and sparkle is choreographed to haunting tracks and seasonal hits. Watch from the comfort of your vehicle by setting your car radio to the station posted on-site, or relax in the outdoor patio and take in the show. The display runs on a repeating loop with brief pauses to keep traffic moving. If a line develops, please head out after one full viewing so others can enjoy it. When there is plenty of space, staying for another cycle is welcome. Traffic follows a one-way loop; look for the large sign trailer with flags and follow the posted signs and arrows. Admission is free, and optional donations support growing the display each year. A donation box is available near the exit. On evenings with hayrides, the lights stay on later so guests can continue enjoying the experience.