‘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 theme for Panorama Days is “Navigating our past, sailing into our future.” After more than 50 years, Panorama Days has a rich past and has become a landmark event in the area. The event is now held on the first full weekend (Friday through Sunday) in August, which this year is Aug. 1-3. 

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

Panora Chamber of Commerce Coordinator Erica Matthies provided details on this year’s schedule. Most of the weekend’s events will happen at or near Panora’s main square. One of the highlights is the downtown parade with many of the floats designed to match the year’s theme. 

“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.” 

Matthies explained that one major upgrade is the city’s new sound system, which will be used throughout Panorama Days.

“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.

“We have our family fun zone again, and we are adding live music on Saturday as well. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. is Dale Menning and the Stardusters,” Matthies said. “The classic car show is 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Another new feature is the bags tournament, with 90% of the fees paid out to the top three teams. Bags will begin at noon, with two-person teams. If all 32 team spots are filled, the winning team will get around $500, maybe even a little more than that. We’re having live music with Four Shades of Grey from 1:30-3:30 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

“A returning event from many years ago is the chicken drop. In cleaning out our storage unit, we found we have a large board with 100 squares on it. People can pay $10 for a square,” Matthies said. “Then a chicken will be brought in and fed and then it goes into the enclosure, and then you wait for the chicken to poop, and wherever it drops, if it’s on your square, you could win $500, if all of the squares have been sold.”

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.”

Individuals or organizations interested in learning more about sponsoring an event are encouraged to contact the Panora Chamber of Commerce.

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. 

Matthies thanked all who help make Panorama Days a success and encourages everyone to participate.

“A lot of people help, and it’s worth it. It makes for a fun and busy weekend,” she said.