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This is one of the tougher columns for me. That’s because this paper went to print before the “Official” decision on suitable ice thickness for the Celebration of the Lakes has been okayed by the Sheriff.  All things are pointing towards a “full go” for the celebration as I write Tuesday, so...this weekend marks the return of the newly branded, re-invented Celebration of the Lakes.  The official kick off  is Friday with the beginning of the medallion hunt. All clues will be posted at the Chamber building in Lindstrom.  At 4:30 pm, there is a snowman building contest in Moberg Park (on Hwy 8) in Chisago City.  Supplies and snow will be provided, just come ready to build.  Also at Moberg Park on Friday there will be candlelight snowshoeing. Food trucks and Anderson’s will be there serving ice cream.

Saturday the fun continues at 10 am with a vintage snowmobile display on North Center Lake.  

The Wild River Snowmobile Club will once again host the super-popular radar runs from 10am to 4 pm.  There’s kids snowmobile races nearby as well as the first ever ice carousel, all on North Center Lake. The carousel will feature a bar, and games for everyone to enjoy. Come out sip a beer and throw some bags while rotating around and-a-round on a round piece of ice!

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lindstrom,  is sponsoring a chili contest at the Uncommon Loon from 11-2pm. You can try a bunch of different chili recipes while sipping on some incredible beer.

Chisago Lakes Lions invite any and all fishermen to the Lions Fishing Contest on North Center Lake.  The contest runs from 1-3 pm and will have great prizes and door prizes.  Bring the kids.

Later, Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City is holding its annual Spaghetti Dinner that runs from 4:30 to 7pm.  Come enjoy some great spaghetti and warm up before heading to Paradise Park in Chisago City for fireworks.  That’s right fireworks - in the winter. The show will begin at 7pm.

The day wraps up with a dance held at the Uncommon Loon that will run from 7:30-11pm.

Sunday the celebration starts with Bingo and Breakfast at Trinity Lutheran Church. The bingo and meal runs from 8 am to noon.  

There is a dodge ball tournament on Sunday where the radar runs were located on Saturday.  Get your team together and head to North Center at noon for some fun.

Tons of great stuff to do locally for all ages.  Now if Mother Nature will only hold up her end of the bargain.

Next week is School Board Appreciation week.  We have two amazing school boards we cover here at the Press. Chisago Lakes and North Branch have such wonderful people trying to do what’s best for our schools and our children. It’s a thankless job but yet there they are making tough decisions that we may or may not agree with,  but always in the schools best interest. Thanks to both boards for doing such a wonderful job!


 

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