Panorama Days Aug. 2-4

Theme for 2024 is “Treasure Island — Pirates on Parade.” 

By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times

The annual three-day Panorama Days celebration that covers Panora and Lake Panorama begins Friday, Aug. 2 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 4. The theme for 2024 is “Treasure Island — Pirates on Parade.” 

“A Facebook poll was published, and the public shared their ideas for a theme. The Panorama Days committee came together, took all the nominations into account, and this was the overall winner,” says Erica Matthies, Panora Chamber coordinator. Matthies created a logo to match the theme, which is being used on all Panorama Days materials.  

Gayle Shackelford, Panora Chamber president, says Panorama Days is a great time for the Panora and Lake Panorama communities to come together. 

“The Panorama Days committee has been working hard this year and has a fun-filled weekend of events planned,” Shackelford says. “There are activities for all ages on the docket. The parade is always spectacular. This year, plans are being made for an amazing classic car show along two blocks of Main Street south of the gazebo and the block continuing east. We hope those attending will take time to cast a vote for their favorite car.”

 

Friday’s events

The celebration begins Aug. 2 with a new event. 

“The Panora Chamber is going to hold a scavenger hunt noon through 5 p.m.,” Matthies says. “We’ll be asking participants to become pirates and search for lost treasures around Panora. Maps with full details will be available at the Chamber information booth starting at noon.” 

Also on opening day, at 4 p.m., all ages are welcome to help decorate Panora’s Main Street at Chalk the Block. Chalk will be provided. 

Several favorite events from previous years fill in the Friday schedule. An afternoon cribbage tournament in the community center, sponsored by Stine Seed, begins with registration at 1:30 p.m. and competition at 2 p.m. The cakewalk for kids will be 7-7:30 p.m. in the community center, sponsored by WFPF. Cruise the Loop, with all types of cars welcome, will be 6:30-8 p.m. This event is hosted by Panora Auto Parts, which also is the starting point for participants and their cars. 

The Mainstreet Dance Studio performance will begin at 6 p.m. in Vet’s Auditorium. The Bill Riley Talent Show, sponsored by Mainstreet Dance Studio, will follow at 7 p.m., also in Vet’s Auditorium. 

Winners of the afternoon scavenger hunt and the Little Miss and Mister Panorama Days contest will be announced at 8:30 p.m. from the gazebo in Town Square Park. 

The day wraps up with live country and rock music from Ghost Riderz. This free event, which begins at 8:30 p.m. and closes at 11:30 p.m., will be on the street in front of the gazebo. BYOB, and lawn chairs are recommended.

There will be various booth vendors in the town square beginning at 2 p.m. and running until 8 p.m. on Friday and again on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in showcasing their art, crafts or business can apply for a spot. 

Food vendors also are welcome beginning at noon on Friday and running through 7 p.m. Saturday. Application forms and more details for both food and booth vendors are on the Panora Chamber website at www.panorachamber.org. 

 

Saturday’s events

Saturday starts early with a bass fishing tournament on Lake Panorama. Registration is at 5 a.m. at Panorama Marine with competition 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The tournament is sponsored by Lake Panorama Fin and Feather.

The traditional pancake breakfast will be available in the Community Center 7 a.m. to noon with serving by the Brethren Church. 

The Panorama Days 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by Reshape Fitness Studio, begins in front of the library at 8 a.m. The early bird fee is $35, with the entry fee increasing to $40 after July 19. Register online by Friday, Aug. 2 at http://getmeregistered.com/PanoramaDaysRun. Registration the day of the race must be done by 7:30 a.m. 

Parade registration starts at 9 a.m. at the Panorama Elementary School, with the parade at 10 a.m. All parade entries will be judged in one of eight categories, with winners announced immediately following the parade. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three places in each category. 

Due to the repaving of roads on the school grounds, parade registration and line-up will be a little different this year. Everyone must go down Clay Street to the elementary school for registration. There will only be one way down Panther Drive to West Market to line up. Registration must be done before entries can line up. 

The Panora Citizen of the Year and parade category winners will be announced in the gazebo following the parade. The Panora Chamber has recognized an outstanding member of the Panora/Lake Panorama community since 1989.  

A free kid’s zone will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the town square. Items available in the kid’s zone include inflatables, jousting arena, mechanical bull, face painting, balloon fun and caricatures. Raccoon Valley Radio will broadcast music throughout the day at the town square. 

The annual beef burger meal will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church. The cutest baby contest, sponsored by Cyclone Pest Management, will begin at 12:30 p.m., with registration at the gazebo. This year’s contest will offer several baby divisions to enter. 

A classic car show will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street, hosted by Guthrie County Cars & Coffee. Sponsors for the car show are Guthrie County State Bank, Fox Countertops, B&B Marketplace, Hummel’s Auto Body, Cyclone Pest Management and Lakeside Massage and Bodywork.

“We are thankful the incoming Panorama Junior Class is organizing several activities,” Matthies says. “Our committee discussed Panorama Days has a lot of things to offer younger kids, but middle and senior high kids didn’t have much to do. That changes this year. The students will be able to keep profits from their events to help with class expenses in the upcoming school year.” 

The junior class is hosting both bags and 3-on-3 basketball tournaments at the ball diamonds. Registration is at 12:30 p.m. with competition underway at 1 p.m. A softball tournament will begin at 8 a.m. at the ball diamonds. Pre-registration is required, at a cost of $150 per team. The winning team will take home $200. To register, contact Heather Hellman, 641-757-9315. The junior class also plans to have a dunk tank 1-4 p.m.

Bingo will be in the community center 1-3 p.m., hosted and sponsored by Guthrie County State Bank. The Panorama alumni banquet for those who graduated from Panora, Linden, Panora-Linden and Panorama will be in the community center, with social time beginning at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. 

Tickets are $20 per person and people can pay at the door or register early. Early registrations are appreciated to help with meal numbers but are not required. Registrations can be mailed to Alumni Association, P.O. Box 184, Panora, Iowa, 50216. To register by email, or ask questions, send a message to alumniassociation50216@gmail.com.

The Lake Panorama ski team show will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a viewing area on the hillside of the lake’s south shore. (See story on page 9 for more details.)  

For the second year, a Saturday golf cart/UTV parade will start at 5 p.m. at Boulder Beach. Those interested are invited to get creative decorating their golf cart or UTV. This event will raise money for Tori’s Angels and is sponsored by Panora Auto Parts. 

The Port will have live music beginning at 9 p.m., and the Lake Panorama Association will present its annual fireworks display from the south shore at 9:30 p.m.

 

Sunday’s events

On Sunday, a breakfast at the Panora Community Center will be served 8 a.m. to noon, sponsored by the Panorama Junior Class. 

The 11^th annual kid’s fishing derby, sponsored by Lake Panorama Fin and Feather, will be Sunday, 9-11 a.m. at the Lake Panorama marina, with registration at 8:15 a.m. There are four age brackets, 3 to 5 years; 6 to 8 years; 9 to 11 years; and 12 to 14 years of age. Trophies will be given for biggest and smallest fish caught in all age groups, excluding carp. In addition, trophies and cash prizes will be given to the top three overall big fish. Bait will be supplied but will be limited in quantity. Participants should bring their own fishing poles and tackle. 

New in 2024 is the Zellmer Family Ministry from Omaha at Boulder Beach 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. 

“We want this to be a casual come-and-go event that leaves people feeling uplifted, inspired, and more connected as a community and in their faith,” says Matthies. “I didn’t want to put pressure on one church to lead the entire service, and I didn’t want to take away from the many amazing church services we already have in town. So, I thought why not just the music and worship part.”  

Matthies says organizers hope to attract a couple of food trucks to Boulder Beach during this event, and the Panora Chamber is looking for financial sponsors. Those interested are asked to contact Matthies at 712-789-0870 or email panorachamber@gmail.com. 

A golf tournament to raise money for the Panorama High School Scholarship Fund is that afternoon at the Panorama West golf course. Contact Chaille Crandall with questions or to register in advance, 515-729-2240. 

Those who attend any portion of the Panorama Days celebration are invited to snap photos and post those on Facebook and Instagram using #panoramadays2024. Multiple photos can be in one post. Security settings must be set to public so the Panorama Days planning committee can see them. Photos must be posted and tagged by 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4. Each photo posted will give the photographer one entry into a drawing for $25 in Panora Chamber bucks. Three winners will be drawn. Photos entered will be used to help market future Panorama Days. 

“I’d like to thank the many people, organizations and businesses that help put on Panorama Days,” says Shackelford. “Whether lending a hand or sponsoring events, it takes a village, and we have one of the best. Panorama Days fun can be found from downtown Panora to Lake Panorama, to the Panorama West Golf Course, to the ball fields, to Boulder Beach, to the marina and more. We have so many beautiful places and events to explore. Bring the whole family and enjoy the fun.” 

Matthies says Panorama Days organizers can always use more volunteers and sponsors.

“Many hands make light work, so if you would like to volunteer, please reach out,” she says. “Many of the Panorama Days events are free, and that only happens because generous people in our community want to give back and be difference makers. If you would like to sponsor a specific event or give a general donation to help cover the costs, that’s appreciated.”

Look for more information and updates on the 2024 Panorama Days activities on the Panora Chamber website and the chamber’s Facebook page @panorachamber.