‘NAVIGATING OUR PAST, SAILING INTO OUR FUTURE’
Mark your calendars now for Panorama Days, Aug. 1-3.
By Rich Wicks | Lake Panorama Times
This year’s classic car show will be 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2.
Naturally, the celebration has evolved over the decades. The first event was originally scheduled to be held on Aug. 2, 1969, but was postponed until June 1970. That initial celebration included a breakfast, a parade, water fights between the Panora and Guthrie Center fire departments, a watermelon feed, Little League baseball and a teen dance.
A double-dose of Panorama Days happened in 1970 with another event held Sept. 12. That event included a skydiving demonstration, a greased pig contest, pony rides, and bingo. Since then, Panorama Days has been celebrated every year except 2020 (due to the COVID pandemic).
THIS YEAR’S EVENTS
Acrobatic ski formations are a crowd-pleaser.
“The parade is Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Registration for the parade will be at the elementary school at 9 a.m.,” Matthies said. “One new thing this year is we are doing some payouts for the float winners. Be on the lookout for more information, but each division will have a payout. We’re envisioning a lot of boat-type floats, probably.”
Matthies highlighted some of the many other parts of the Panorama Days weekend.
“A lot of the traditional events will be included again this year. Chalk the Block will be Friday at 4 p.m. for kids of all ages, and the kids’ cake walk will be Friday at 7 p.m.,” Matthies said. “At 7 p.m. on Friday, Twin Vines Winery is having Wine and Yoga, so before you come to the street dance, you can go there and get all ‘zenned-up.’ Main Street Dance Studio will be performing, and the Bill Riley Talent Show will follow that. We are having live music on Friday from 6-8 p.m., so when people are uptown, there will be live music played by Kile Jackson. Then the main act will be Oreo Meatwagon, and they start at 8:30 p.m. Around 8:15 p.m., we’ll have our Little Miss and Little Mister announcement, and we’re actually having our Homecoming King and Queen on hand to crown the Little Miss and Little Mister.”
Chalk the Block is an artistic outlet for kids of all ages.
“Also, on Friday evening around 8:15 p.m., we’ll do a little speaker recognition project to recognize those who have been a large part of the fundraising effort for the new speaker system, which will be up and running for Panorama Days.”
Saturday includes a few events on the lake.
“On Saturday, we, of course, have the bass fishing tournament, pancake breakfast, and the 5K run/walk. Online registration for the 5K is appreciated, or you can register in person that morning, 7-7:45 a.m., with the run starting at 8 a.m.,” Matthies said. “At 11-ish, immediately following the parade, we’ll have the Citizen of the Year announcement and parade winners announcement. Parade winners will need to be present to get their prizes.”
Saturday offerings continue throughout the afternoon and evening.
This year’s entertainment will be Dale Menning and the Stardusters (pictured) on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Four Shades of Grey from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The Lake Panorama Ski Team has been a part of Panorama Days for more than 40 years. The theme for this year’s show is Making Waves Since 1985, and will showcase the history of skiing. The show will begin at 1:30 p.m. on the south shore, and last about an hour and a half..
Matthies also told of a returning event that will be held sometime on Saturday afternoon.
THE CHICKEN DROP RETURNS
The chicken drop returns this year to Panorama Days. Participants can purchase a square for $10.
The Panorama Days schedule continues Sunday.
“On Sunday, the kids’ fishing derby is happening at the Panorama Marine,” Matthies said. “Live entertainment and free admission at Boulder Beach. And the alumni golf tournament at the Panorama West golf course.”
Matthies pointed out that sponsorships are a major reason Panorama Days is able to happen, and she gave kudos to several sponsors already on board.
“The bass fishing tournament is done by Fin & Feather. Some businesses and individuals come together to sponsor the car show. Bingo is sponsored by Guthrie County State Bank. The junior class does one of the breakfasts. Cruise the Loop is sponsored by Panora Auto Parts. WFPF (Women For Panora’s Future) does the Cake Walk,” Matthies said. “We’re also still looking for sponsors. It is definitely a group effort.”
A patriotic display at Panorama Days.
Matthies shared information for visitors from out of town.
“There’s designated handicapped parking spots near the Community Center,” Matthies said. “One of the other things to keep in mind, for anyone coming to the Community Center for the pancake breakfast, just be mindful that the 5K will be going on at the same time, so cars might need to go on the south side of Main Street and wrap around up past City Hall to get to the Community Center. The 5K route is kind of on the north side of town.”
Matthies shared how another local event, though technically not a part of Panorama Days, will serve as an “appetizer” for the weekend.
“Thursday night (July 31), Twin Vines Winery is doing something to kick off the weekend. Josh Sinclair will be playing live music 6-9 p.m., and they’re having Rockets Raccoon Valley Catering,” Matthies said.
More details on Panorama Days will be posted as the event approaches, on the Panora Chamber of Commerce website (panorachamber.org) and Facebook page. Matthies noted that there are also links to registration forms for the parade, 5K and bags tournament.
Registration for the annual Panorama Days parade will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Panorama Elementary School, with the parade beginning at 10 a.m.
“A lot of people help, and it’s worth it. It makes for a fun and busy weekend,” she said.
“A Festivus for the rest of us.” If you watched the popular TV show “Seinfeld” in the late 1990s, you are smiling right now. If you didn’t watch the show, well, read on, as you can still smile. 
