2024 Crosslake St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day Parade marks 50 YEARS!

‘Get Green & Groovy’ for March 16 parade

‘Get Green & Groovy’ is the theme for the 50th annual Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration, with events scheduled Thursday-Saturday, March 14-16.

The main attraction — the parade — kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16, through town.

Crosslake has been celebrating spring’s approach with a St. Patrick’s Day parade for 50 years. The event has grown significantly since that first parade in the 1970s. What started out as a remedy for cabin fever has grown into a destination event for thousands of green-clad, Irish-for-a-day, weekend enthusiasts.

Many participants build a float and travel the 2-mile-long route tossing hundreds of pounds of candy and trinkets.

apparel, trinkets, costumes and more at Crosslake merchants city-wide.

Following is a schedule of events for the 50th annual Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

► 9 a.m.: First St. Paddy’s Pot O’ Gold clue released.

► 6-8 p.m.: Loon and Lakes trivia at 14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co.

► 8 p.m.: Trivia at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

► 9 a.m.: Second St. Paddy’s Pot O’ Gold clue released.

Many others set up lawn chairs, days in

advance, to get their perfect spot along the parade route for family and friends. This all occurs no matter what type of weather Mother Nature dishes out that day.

Find official Green & Groovy St. Patrick’s Day caps, slings, tote bags, parade chairs and tumblers at the Crosslake Chamber of Commerce. Get

► 3-6 p.m.: Live music by Todd Wahl at the Crosslake-Fifty Lakes American Legion.

► 5-7 p.m.: 10th annual Clover Dash 5K and Kids Run packet pickup at Shoppe 218 in Crosslake Town Square.

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AmazonHub|CrosslakeIdealLions

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Chair:BobHeales, CrosslakePublicSafetyCommission DawnMaucieri,Maucieri’s HeatherJones,PineViewChildCare& LearningCenter

MelissaKrueger, SimplyRusticFloralDesign AmyWannebo, LakesAreaSepticDesign

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KatherynPalmer,TheWharfand OxLakeTavern JacksonPurfeerst, CrosslakeCityCouncilman

Fred Richter,WhitefishProperties Myogeto,CrosslakeChamber Beste,CrosslakeChamber dy Ali

Retired police chief

Erik Lee is parade grand marshal

Dale and Betty Quist to serve as honorary grand marshals

BY NANCY VOGT Echo Journal CROSSLAKE

Erik Lee, who retired in July after working for the Crosslake Police Department for 26 ½ years — including as chief for his last six years — is the grand marshal for the 50th annual Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration on Saturday, March 16.

Dale and Betty Quist, longtime residents and community advocates, will serve as honorary parade grand marshals.

The parade will start at 2 p.m. March 16.

Each year, grand marshals are nominated and selected by volunteers on the parade planning committee because of their commitment, dedication and service to the community.

Lee retired after a 30-year law enforcement career, which included

serving as an officer, sergeant and chief in Crosslake.

“Erik Lee is being recognized in appreciation for his dedication and leadership as an officer, sergeant and chief on the Crosslake Police Department, and his many years of service to the local community,” said Bob Heales, parade chairman.

Cindy Myogeto, director of the Crosslake Chamber, which sponsors the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, said: “Over the past decade, the Crosslake St. Patrick’s Parade and Celebration has seen significant growth. Under Erik’s leadership, in cooperation with Crosslake’s Emergency Services, his department successfully manages to provide a safe and secure environment for both participants and spectators alike.”

The Quists are longtime community residents

who have been strong advocates for Crosslake organizations, generously contributing their time and talents.

“Dale and Betty Quist are being recognized as longtime residents of Crosslake and for their support of local organizations that provide athletic and scholastic opportunities for children, as well as those facing both economic hardships and challenges with health care needs,” Heales said.

“Their generosity is truly inspiring,” he said.

This is the first year Lee won’t have to work on parade day since he joined the Crosslake Police Department in 1996.

“It’s the 50th one. This is an honor. This is pretty cool,” Lee said. “I’m excited. It’s going to be fun. Not very often did I get to see the whole parade. … You were stuck on a corner.”

Contributed

Erik Lee, retired Crosslake police chief, and his wife, Kathy, enjoyed spending January 2024 in South Padre Island, Texas.

In the weeks leading up to the parade, Lee was spending time in Florida. In retirement, he and his wife, Kathy, also enjoyed January in Texas and spending summer and fall weekends on their boat on Lake Superior.

People will still see him around Crosslake as he works part time at Crosswoods Golf Course and 66 Marine

He misses working with his fellow officers and people in Crosslake.

“I miss the politics. I miss my little battles to try to keep the city moving forward in a better direction,” Lee said.

Lee noted how the St. Patrick’s Day event has grown.

“Twenty-six years ago, the parade route was different. You still sat at an intersection or led the parade — I never did that, the officers did. Maybe 3,000 people would come to the parade back then,” he said.

“Then we changed the route and (Crosslake)

Town Square came into it, which allowed more people to come in. And they marketed the parade so much better,” Lee said. “It was just a local thing

became an event that was known statewide — one of the best parades in the state.”

He recalled the year it was 70 degrees on

parade day and 15,000 to 17,000 people showed up. Law enforcement always included three to four Crosslake officers with help from Crow

Mounted Patrol, Crosslake Fire Department and North Ambulance — no matter how big the crowd.

“People who can enforce the law were still working with 5-6 throughout the parade route with up to

major incident.” He hopes the weather holds for this year’s parade to bring people into town to spend money at businesses that could be struggling with the lack of snow and ice this winter.

“My legacy is making sure that someone was behind me doing good, taking it to the next level,” he said of his successor, Chief Jake Maier.

“I loved being a police officer. It was great,” Lee said.

From left are Bob Heales, Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration parade chair, and Betty and Dale Quist, honorary parade grand marshals who received a commemorative plaque Feb. 16 at Maucieri’s Italian Bistro in Crosslake.

Clover Dash 5K celebrates 10th year

The 10th annual Clover Dash 5K, a 3.1-mile northwoods loop, will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 16, starting and ending at Crosslake Town Square.

All ages are welcome to participate in the 5K. The route is stroller friendly, and friendly dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.

There is also a Clover Dash Kids

Race for ages 14 and under at 8:30 a.m. that consists of two laps around town square. Cost is $10 per child.

The start line is near Rafferty’s Pizza.

An awards ceremony will take place

at 10:10 a.m.

Rafferty’s Pizza will give each participant age 21 and older a green beer after the race. Participants will receive a coupon at registra tion that can be redeemed on race day.

Packet pickup and last-minute reg istration will be held from 5-7 p.m.

Friday, March 15, and 7-8:30 a.m.

Saturday, March 16, at Shoppe 218 in Crosslake Town Square.

Suggest parking spots are Crossroads Golf Course, Dollar General, Reeds Market and Crosslake Veterinary Hospital, which will have a large

space cleared in the grass to

Prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female finishers as well as the top three finishers in each division.

Each year, a portion of each registration goes back to the Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day event.

Funds will also be donated to Baskets from JoJo, a nonprofit that was created in memory of Nancy Jo Weinberger. Baskets from JoJo gifts care baskets to cancer patients.

Weinberger was part of the first four years of the Clover Dash.

Raffle tickets are available for purchase March 1-22 at Crosslake businesses offering a Blinky Button special.

Those who buy a raffle ticket for $10 will get a free 50th St. Patrick’s Day Blinky Button that’s good for deals and discounts at participating businesses.

Raffle winners will be drawn during the St. Patrick’s Day raffle party at 6 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Maucieri’s Italian Bistro.

People need not be present to win.

Visit crosslake.com for lists of raffle ticket prizes and Blinky Button specials.

Find the St. Paddy’s Pot O’ Gold

Find the St. Paddy’s Pot O’ Gold and win a prize package from Crosslake Chamber member merchants valued at more than $2,900.

The prize package is on display at Lake Country Crafts and Cones, where the winner can take the found treasure and collect the prize.

Three daily clues will be released at 9 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, March 14-16.

Tips for St. Paddy’s Pot O’ Gold seekers:

► The St. Paddy’s Pot O’ Gold is within the Crosslake city limits.

► Don’t trespass. The St. Paddy’s Pot O’ Gold will never be located on private residential property.

► Don’t break, remove or disassemble anything.

► Be friendly. Hundreds of families will be on the hunt.

► Have fun and help celebrate the winner.

ST PADDY’S LOST POT O’ GOLD PRIZES

The following prize listing is updated daily.

► 14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co.: Zipup logo hoodie

► 66 Marine North: Hat and T-shirt

► Andy’s Bar & Grill: Bottle of wine and $20 gift card

► Angel Team/Coldwell Banker Realty: $120 value gift basket

► Common Goods: $20 gift card and swag

► Crosslake Ace Hardware: $100 in gift cards

Contributed Mikayla Bavreck-Sindt and Brett Wallace, St. Paul, found the 2023 Lost Pot O’ Gold on the Nordic Ridge Trail at the Crosslake Community Center.

► Crosslake Chamber of Commerce: 50th St. Patrick’s Parade & Celebration insulated tumbler

POT O’ GOLD: Page 8

2023 parade winners

► Third place: Lee Miller 1964 Studebaker

Judges for the 2024 parade are Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway volunteers Carol Ottoson, Patty Norgaard and Lynn Scharenbroich.

POT O’ GOLD

From Page 6

► Crosslake Coffee: Coffee and gift basket

► Crosslake Community School: Variety of books

► Crosslake Rental: TBD

► Crosslake Town Square: $50 Crosslake Town Square Bucks

► Crow Wing Kayaks: Half-day rental for two

► Maverick Boutique: Handmade leather MN koozie and $40 gift card

► Mike’s Electric of Crosslake: Notebook

► Dairy Queen Crosslake: Gift certificate for an ice cream cake

► Frey Manufacturing: Green boat anchor

► Holiday Stationstores Crosslake: $250 gift card

► Key Wellness: Free EvolveX Trial (body contouring and skin tightening with radio frequency)

► Lake Country Crafts & Cones: Coffee items

► Lakes Area Title Services: VIBE bluetooth speaker tumbler

► Maucieri’s Italian Bistro: Hat and quarter-zip sweatshirt

MN Roots: Sweatshirt

Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar: Sweatshirt National Loon Center:

► North Country Plumbing & Heating: Free HVAC duct cleaning (average value $949)

► Ox Lake Tavern: Hoodie and $50 gift card

► Rafferty’s Pizza Crosslake: $40 gift card

► Riverside Supper Club: Sweatshirt

► Shoppe 218: Gift basket

► Squirrelly Mama: Gift basket

► The Cedar Chest: $50 gift card and sweatshirt

► The Wharf: $30 gift card

► Tremolo Communications: TBD

► Wes Hanson Builders: Snuggly blanket

► Whitefish Lodge and Suites: Whitefish Lodge sweatshirt

► Zorbaz Crozz Lake: Sweatshirt