5 Reasons to visit Crosslake in March

Winter is FINALLY coming to a close in the area – Sure there is still snow on the ground and the lakes are still frozen but it isn’t 30 below anymore! If you live in Minnesota, you know what I am talking about! Time to shake off your cabin fever and head to Crosslake where we have something for everyone!

1. March 4th - Crosslake has 2 events going on! Starting at 11 am Moonlite Bay hosts the Ice Tea Open. This is for the golfers out there that just can’t wait for their golf courses to open! The team at Moonlite Bay spends countless hours setting up a course on the ice. All proceeds from this event go to Camp Knutson – a local camp right here in Crosslake that is dedicated to nurturing the well-being of persons with special needs.

1. March 4th - Continue having fun by attending or participating in the Ms. Blarney & Mr. Malarkey St. Patrick’s Day Prince & Princess Pageant held at Manhattan’s at Manhattan Beach Lodge. The event starts at 8 pm and is open to anyone over the age of 21. This fun spirited event is the kick-off to Crosslake’s month long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day! Join the fun! Enter the pageant and you could walk away with a $600 prize package! Click here to register!

1. March 11th - Put your skills to the test today! Our annual St. Urho’s Grasshopper hop is so much fun! Crosslake’s 10 local pubs come together for this “test your skills” event. Bring a team or come alone! Start at your favorite watering hole at Noon – from there you will hop on a shuttle and perform a skills event at each location. After you have visited each location tally your score for a chance to win! It’s only $10 per person to join the fun but you do have to be 21 or older to participate.

1. March 18th – It’s the day we have been waiting for ALL year! PARADE DAY!! Over 10,000 people descend on Crosslake for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration! There are events for people of all ages starting at 8 am!

8 - 11:00 a.m. - RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Tether Rides US Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Area Must be 10 years of age or older - weather permitting - no charge 8 - 11:30 a.m. - Crosslake Firefighters Pancake Breakfast with kids coloring activity and beads for all the kids Crosslake Lutheran Church 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Indoor Craft Fair Whitefish Lodge & Suites 9:30 a.m. - The Clover Dash 5K Race day registration begins at 7:45 a.m. at Whitefish Lodge & Suites Starting and finish line in Crosslake Town Square

10:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Maucieri's Food & Beverage Cart Beer & Bar, Corned Beef & Hot Dogs Crosslake Town Square 11 a.m. - Edina Realty Foundation 6th Annual Brat Sale Brats & Soda till gone; Edina Foundation assists with needs of homeless 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Pre-Parade Festivities in Crosslake Town Square General parade lineup begins at 12 p.m. at Swann Drive and Allen Avenue 11a.m. - 3 p.m. – Whitefish Lodge & Suites Outdoor Food & Beer Garden Whitefish Lodge & Suites Parking Lot 12 - 3 p.m. - 4th Annual Knights of Columbus Food, Beverage & Warming Tent Proceeds go to the Crosslake Food Shelf Crosslake Ace Hardware 2 p.m. - 43rd ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Starts in Town Square & goes through Crosslake – Click here for the map 4 p.m. - Live music featuring Soup Bones The Bourbon Room Saloon & Eatery 4 - 8 p.m. - Live Music featuring In the Fields Band Manhattan's at Manhattan Beach Lodge

1. March 25th - You know those Blinky Buttons you bought that got you specials all month long at area businesses – well the day is here to find out if you are a winner! Hosted by the Platinum Sponsor of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration - Passages of Time - at Manhattan’s at Manhattan Beach Lodge. The event starts at 6pm and Manhattan’s will have food and drink specials all night!

We have all heard it… “There just nothing to do when the seasons change – you can’t go snowmobiling because the trails are sloppy or gone – it’s too muddy to go hiking – it’s not warm enough to spend the day outside” blah, blah, blah… Crosslake has a jam-packed month of March with events for everyone to enjoy!

Want to join in the fun but need a place to stay? Whitefish Lodge & Suites and Manhattan Beach Lodge have specials all month long! To view them visit whitefish-lodge.com or mblodge.com.