Events 2023

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Storm Lake has lots of annual events and festivals for people of all ages to enjoy. Mark your calendar for these special occasions in 2023. Also, keep your eye on the calendar on our home page for music events, sports tournaments, homecoming celebrations and other activities that are scheduled during the year.

FIESTA LATINA | APRIL 23


Fiesta Latina Dancers


A high-spirited festival led by Buena Vista University student organization RAICES. You won’t want to miss this celebration of Latino culture with food, lots of children’s activities, live music and dance performances, crafts and more.

STORM LAKE FARMERS' MARKET | SPRING - OCTOBER 


Storm Lake Farmers Market


The Storm Lake Farmers' Market  is held Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings and runs from spring into October. The market is located in parking lot "C"  on Erie Street  in downtown.   As you wander past the stalls you will find lots of fresh, nutritious garden fare, local honey, farm fresh eggs, baked goods and more.  Some of the events include live music with local performers.

STORM LAKE MUNICPAL BAND | JUNE - JULY


Storm Lake Municipal Band Performance  

A tradition is renewed each Sunday afternoon through June and into July, with a free performance by the Storm Lake Municipal Band  held at the Sunset Park Bandshell. Hear symphony, big band, march and modern pop music in the park.


A past tradition makes a comeback this year. The business community thanks patrons with free hot dogs grilled up with lots of different toppings. More details to come soon!  

SLAPT ON STAGE | JUNE 


Storm Lake Area Performers of Tomorrow   

High school-age thespians from the Storm Lake Area Performers of Tomorrow put on a raucous acting performance in the park. Everyone is welcome to this free, fun event.  Performance dates and times coming soon! 

KIDS FEST | JUNE 25


Kids Fest


The City of Storm Lake and King’s Pointe Resort team up to put on fun day for the young and the young at heart, free! Families will enjoy a foam pit, mini-train rides, dunk tank, games, sno-cones, and a close-up look at police, fire and street crew vehicles. This year’s event will celebrate the city’s Sesquicentennial.

STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR | JULY 3 & 4


Fireworks


The grand-daddy of all Storm Lake celebrations! Storm Lake is the place to be for the Independence Day celebration. The Star Spangled Spectacular is a two-day festival that features concerts, a massive parade, patriotic ceremony, Artists’ Alley, street performers, classic car cruise, food vendors and much more. End the 4th with a bang-up fireworks show!

 RIDICULOUS DAYS | JULY 13-15


Ridiculous Days


The downtown merchants celebrate summer with special clearance sales and food vending on the sidewalks in the Lake Avenue business district.


Storm Lake RAGBRAI Logo


RAGBRAI, the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is more than just a bike ride, it is an epic eight-day rolling festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. It is the oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world.

Storm Lake will be the first overnight host city on this year’s tour, Sunday, July 23. Riders will come in from Sioux City – a 77-mile jaunt with 3,504 feet of climb. They will depart Monday for Carroll, a 62-mile journey with 1,818 feet of climb.  The remaining overnight stops are: Ames, Des Moines, Tama-Toledo, Coralville, and Davenport.

This will be the sixth visit to Storm Lake for the epic event, including the first stop of the inaugural ride 50 years ago. Mike Porsch, mayor and committee leader, says, “It really is a massive event to plan on a local level, but Storm Lake is a beautiful setting for a stop, and we can easily accommodate thousands of riders in our parks and other venues. Together with the City and Storm Lake United, we’re going to make sure this is a year to remember.” 

For more information please visit RagbraiStormLake.com or follow us on Facebook. 

WOOD, WINE & BLUES | AUGUST 18-20


Wood Wine and Blues


Sunset Park in Storm Lake is the place to be as some of the finest chainsaw carving artists from around the country compete to produce winning wood sculptures during  Wood, Wine & Blues.  You can see the art emerge up close. Plus concerts, food trucks, vendors, a cornhole tournament, and wine and craft beer tastings.



The 11th annual Hy-Noon Kiwanis Storm the Lake triathlon/duathlon is a charity event for Storm Lake Kiwanis Projects for Youth. Join other athletes at beautiful Storm Lake, IA King’s Pointe Waterpark and Resort. Swim in the protected bay, bike around the lake and run along the lake finishing at the flower lined path. All transition areas are at the waterpark. Storm Lake is considered one of the most beautiful venues for a triathlon in Iowa. The entire route is well marked with yellow vested Kiwanis volunteers cheering the athletes and providing assistance all along the way.  The triathlon is .5 mi swim in the bay, 12 mile bike and 5K run.  The duathlon is a 1 mile run, 12 mile bike and 5 K run all along the same race area as the triathlon. This also is a sanctioned event. Come join the fun along beautiful Storm Lake!

HY-NOON KIWANIS ESCAPE TO THE LAKE KAR SHOW | SEPTEMBER 3


KIwanis Kar Show


The Hy-Noon Kiwanis “Escape to the Lake” Kar Show is a highlight of every Labor Day weekend celebration. The show packs Chautauqua Park with 35 classes of vehicles from antiques to sports cars to hot rods, with plenty of vintage music as a background. This will be the 17th annual show. The modest admission fee helps the Hy-Noon club to fund its many efforts on behalf of the community.


Storm Lake is a melting pot of over 30 different cultures. This festival in Chautauqua Park is a chance to experience it with food, music and dancing, art, pinatas, and booths by vendors and community organizations.

SASSY SATURDAYS | OCTOBER


Sassy Saturdays Logo


A little fall retail therapy is just what the doctor ordered. Shop deals and specials, sample wines and enjoy entertainment throughout downtown Storm Lake on four Saturdays. The program supports a worthy cause – oncology services for local cancer patients.

OKTOBERFEST | OCTOBER 21

Octoberfest


A taste of the old world with polka music and dance, German-style food and beer, plus special keepsakes. Event location and times coming soon! 

CHILLS & THRILLS | OCTOBER 28


Chills and Thrills


A Halloween extravaganza! Come out in costume and trick-or-treat up and down Lake Avenue in downtown Storm Lake. Tons of treats and fun, followed by events at the Storm Lake Public Library and Witter Art Gallery.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE | NOVEMBER 11 & 12


Holiday Open House 

Retailers open the holiday season in style, with colorful displays, treats and special deals. Check the community calendar for entertainment!

SLU'S COMEDY SHOW | NOVEMBER 11


Comedy Show


Storm Lake United puts on this free event that attracts some of the hottest comedy performers in the region.  

SANTA'S CASTLE | NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER


Santas Castle


Thanksgiving is opening day for this amazing holiday tradition of more than 60 years. Santa's Castle is located in a classic 1905 Carnegie Library structure, the Castle boasts one of the world’s largest collections of priceless antique holiday animation, a massive miniature railroad, shop full of unusual gifts, and of course, the holiday hero himself. A must-see, open through the end of December in downtown Storm Lake.

MIRACLE ON LAKE AVENUE  | DECEMBER 7


Miracle on Lake


A great family celebration in downtown Storm Lake. A lighted Christmas parade, tree-lighting ceremony, musical performers, crafts, treats and much more. Lots of surprises in the stores.