'The Magic of Change'
for the 51st annual
Crosslake St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration
Saturday, March 15, 2025
St. Patrick's Day Parade will start one hour earlier at 1 p.m.
'The
Magic of Change' is theme of March 15 parade
CROSSLAKE — What started out in the 1970s as a remedy for cabin fever has grown into a destination event known as the Crosslake St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration.
The 51st annual event will take place Thursday-Saturday, March 13-15, with the parade an hour earlier than in past years, at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15.
A new parade start time is just one update reflected in this year's theme of embracing "The Magic of Change." Updates to enhance the parade experience include:
• New start time: The parade will now begin at 1 p.m.
• Road improvements: New sidewalks along the streets provide front row seating for parade viewing.
• Traditional route: The parade will go back to the traditional 1.5-mile route, starting in Crosslake Town Square and ending at the Cross/Daggett bridge just north of MarineMax.
Official St. Patrick's Day caps, slings, tote bags, parade chairs and tumblers are on sale at the Crosslake Chamber of Commerce. Get apparel, trinkets, costumes and more at Crosslake merchants city-wide.
Following is a schedule of events:
Thursday, March 13
• 9 a.m.: St Paddy's Pot O' Gold first clue released.
• 4-9 p.m.: Meat raffle, horse races and bingo at the Fifty Lakes Bar & Bottle Shop.
• 6-8 p.m.: Loon & Lakes Trivia at 14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co.
• 8 p.m.: Trivia at Moonlite Bay.
Tom Fraki / Echo Journal File Photo Parade-goers watch floats go by at the 2024 Crosslake St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Friday, March 14
• 9 a.m.: St Paddy's Pot O' Gold second clue released.
• 5-7 p.m.: 11th Clover Dash 5K/ Ruck/Kids Run packet pickup at The Shoppe in Crosslake Town Square.
• 6 p.m.: Live music featuring Seth Doud at Manhattan's.
• 6-10 p.m.: Meat raffle and live music featuring the Mark Pederson Band at the Crosslake Fifty Lakes American Legion.
• 7 p.m.: Sound Journey and Yoga Nidra at Wing Wellness.
• 7 p.m.: DJ Mike at Andy's Bar & Grill.
• 10 p.m.-2 a.m.: DJ Music at the Bay at Moonlite Bay.
Saturday, March 15
• 8:30-10:30 a.m.: 11th Clover Dash 5K/Ruck/Kids Run at Crosslake Town Square.
• 9 a.m.: St Paddy's Pot O' Gold third and final clue released.
• 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Whitefish Lodge bingo and parking lot party at Whitefish
Doors will open at 9 a.m. for bingo with a food garden and full bar indoors. Bingo will start at 10 a.m.
Participants must register at www. whitefishlodge.com. The parking lot party will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the tent open with a food garden and full bar. Shane Martin will provide live music from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-3:30 p.m.
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Parade pre-party at Crosslake Town Square.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Burgers and bar with DJ Mike at Andy's Bar & Grill.
• 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Parade participant shuttle service with complimentary rides for parade participants only. Park and ride the free shuttle from The Log Church to Crosslake Community School. This is one way only before the parade with no shuttle after the parade.
• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Hot dogs, chips and a drink fundraiser by the Crosslake Community School PTO.
• 1 p.m.: 51st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Celebration with celebrations throughout Crosslake after the parade.
• 2-9 p.m.: Live music at 14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co. featuring Mike Derus until 5 p.m. and Mike Miller until 9 p.m.
• 2 p.m.-2 a.m.: Live music at Moonlite Bay featuring Brian O'Brien after the parade and DJ's JP and Dana until close
• 3 p.m.: Live music at Manhattan's featuring Drunk-n-Stupid.
• 6-9 p.m.: Corned beef and cabbage and live music featuring Prairie Smoke at Fifty Lakes Bar & Bottle Shop.
• 7-10 p.m.: Live music featuring Mark Johnson & Brent Passarella at Patrick's Cedar Chest.
Friday, March 21
• 6 p.m.: St. Patrick's raffle ticket drawing party at Maucieri's Italian Bistro with food and beverage specials while winning raffle tickets are drawn. People need not be present to win more than $10,000 in raffle prizes donated by local businesses.
Tom Fraki / Echo Journal File Photos Attendees and participants celebrate the 50th annual Crosslake St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2024.
Owners of Al's Marine are parade grand marshals
BY TOM FRAKI Echo Journal
CROSSLAKE — Al and Judy Flemmer, who owned Al’s Marine in Crosslake from 1975 until a few years ago, are the grand marshals for the 51st annual Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration on Saturday, March 15.
Lloyd and Barb Lindquist, longtime residents and public safety volunteers, will serve as honorary grand marshals.
The parade will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, one hour earlier than the traditional start time and will follow a 1.5-mile route starting at Crosslake Town Square with the Flemmers heading the parade.
Grand marshals and honorary grand marshals are selected each year by members of the parade planning committee for their dedication, service and involvement in the Crosslake community.
The Flemmers and Lindquists were both presented with commemorative plaques marking the announcement by Cindy Myogeto, Crosslake Chamber of Commerce director, which sponsors the parade, and Bob Heales, Crosslake City Council member and member of the parade planning committee, on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The plaques were donated by Pequot Tool and Manufacturing.
“The committee throws names out of local people and businesses that have really made an impression on Crosslake, and this year it’s time for Al’s Marine. So the committee unanimously voted that you guys had made a very serious impression on the tourism
Tom Fraki / Echo Journal
Al and Judy Flemmer, center, with their children, Mike Flemmer and Kim Perkins, are shown at Pine Peaks Restaurant in Crosslake on Feb. 18, 2025. Not pictured is son Joe
industry in Crosslake. It was a very excellent business in town, and we appreciate that,” Myogeto told the Flemmers.
The Flemmers announced the sale of Al’s Marine to Outlet Recreation in late 2021, after serving the Crosslake area for 46 years.
Along with their children — Kim, Mike and Joe — the Flemmers sold and repaired watercraft, offered rentals through Leisure Day Rentals and provided storage with Crosslake Mini Storage.
In reminiscing about their family businesses, Kim said it was their integrity, honesty and fairness, as well as being a trusted place for advice that were the key to the longevity of the business.
Outside of their businesses, Al and Judy were both involved in the city’s Lions and Lioness groups and many annual events, including ice car races on Cross Lake.
“I think it’s just a wonderful honor. I’m very flattered by it,” Judy said about being named a grand marshal.
“I’m good at waving,” Al joked about taking part in the parade.
Kim added that with their family knowing many of the parade grand marshals over the years, it was nice for them to be included in the celebration.
The Lindquists moved from Duluth to Crosslake in 1973, when they took over ownership of Edgewater Resort on Cross Lake, which they owned for six years.
Shortly after moving to Crosslake, they both quickly became involved in the city’s public safety development.
Lloyd served as a firefighter and Crosslake’s first civil defense director, and they both helped with the creation of the Crosslake Ambulance Service.
“In October of 1973, they came around looking for help to start up an ambulance service, and that’s how we got to know a lot of the people in the area. I don’t remember how many nights a week we had classes, but we had that ambulance service up and running by fishing opener in 1974,” Lloyd said.
Aside from his trucking career, Lloyd also served 21 years as a volunteer parttime police officer with the Crosslake Police Department.
When she wasn’t taking part in community classes, Barb volunteered for 15 years with the Crosslake Ambulance Service.
Lloyd noted that during Barb’s time with the ambulance service, they never lost a patient under their direct care.
The Brainerd and Crosslake Ambulance Service were sold to North Memorial Health in the fall of 1987.
Nowadays, Lloyd can be found volunteering around Crosslake, including at the Crosslake Chamber of Commerce building, cooking at the American Legion and helping with Light Up the Dam.
“The parade committee thought you guys were deserving of the award because of all that you’ve done for the city of Crosslake. When you compile it all up, thank goodness
for you guys to run that ambulance service. You moved up here, and you chose to get involved,” Myogeto told the Lindquists.
The Lindquists agreed that it felt good to be recognized for their contributions to the community.
us in the 11th Annual Clover Dash 5K. This 3.1 mile north woods loop begins and ends in the beautiful Crosslake Town Square on Saturday, March 15, 2025 Kids 1k 8:30 am | 5k 9:00 am
Tom Fraki, Echo Journal staff writer, may be reached at 218-855-5863 or tom.fraki@pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook.
Tom Fraki / Echo Journal Lloyd and Barb Lindquist at their home Feb. 18, 2025.
Clover Dash 5K is March 15
CROSSLAKE — The 11th annual Clover Dash will start at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15, with a 1K kids race around the Crosslake Town Square Legacy Garden for ages 14 and under.
The 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. will feature a certified course that will take
neighborhood. This 3.1-mile north woods loop will begin and end in Crosslake Town Square.
All ages, including kids in strollers and friendly dogs on leashes, are welcome.
An awards ceremony will take place at
A 5K Ruck category will return for a second year, where participants must complete the race in 1 hour or less and must provide their own ruck pack.
Rafferty's will give each participant age 21 and older a green beer after the race. Participants will receive a coupon at registration that can be redeemed on race day only.
CROSSLAKE — Get family and friends together or go it alone in search of the Pot O' Gold for a prize package valued at thousands compliments of Crosslake Chamber member businesses.
One clue will be released daily from Thursday-Saturday, March 13-15.
Download the Crosslake app and get access to the clues at 9 a.m. each day.
Somewhere within the city limits of Crosslake lays, dangles, hides or hangs the 2025 St. Paddy's Pot O' Gold.
Don't trespass. The Pot O' Gold will never be located on residential property.
Don't break, remove or disassemble anything.
Be friendly. Hundreds of families are hunting for it and going through the same emotions.
Have fun and help celebrate the winner.
The prize package valued at thousands will be on display at Lake Country Crafts and Cones. When you find the Pot O' Gold, go collect your treasure.
The 2024 Pot O' Gold was found by Ryan, Carla, Cody, Grady and Brody Beniek, from Bowlus, at the Cedar Chest
Contributed
The Bieniek family of Bowlus won the Pot O' Gold contest for the 2024 Celebration.
buy raffle tickets to win prizes
CROSSLAKE — Buy a raffle ticket not only for a chance to win prizes, but also to get a free Blinky Button for deals and discounts at Crosslake merchants Friday and Saturday, March 14-15.
Raffle tickets are $10 each for the chance to win $10,000 in prizes.
Buy raffle tickets now through March 21. Raffle winners will be drawn during the St. Patrick's Day raffle party at 6 p.m. Friday, March 21, at Maucieri's Italian Bistro.
You need not be present to win.
Raffle prizes
• 14 Lakes Craft Brewing: $25 gift card and T-shirt ($50 value)
• 50 Lakes Bar & Bottle Shop: Flannel shirt and beanie ($70 value)
• 66 Marine Nor th: Floating mat ($300 value)
• Andy's Bar & Grill: $25 gift card and hat ($55 value)
• Barstock Liquors: Gift card ($50 value)
• Boyd Lodge: Two-night stay for up to six people in a Loft Cabin from Memorial Day through Labor Day ($806 value)
• Crosslake Ace Hardware Appliances & Laundromat: $100 gift certificate
• Crosslake Fifty Lakes American Legion: Sweatshirt ($50 value)
• Crosslake Vacations & Rentals: Certificate toward choice of pontoon rental ($625 value)
• Crow Wing Kayaks: River trip for two ($150 value)
• Curious Belongings: Gift card ($50 value)
• Dahlheimer Beverage Co.
• Essentia Health Crosslake Clinic: Gift basket ($55 value)
• Grand Casino Mille Lacs: Shamrock 'in Stay & Play Package one night in a suite, $50 food, $100 Grand Play, $50 gift card for gift shop ($500 value)
• Grand Casino Mille Lacs: Shamrock 'in Stay & Play Package one night in a suite, $50 food, $100 Grand Play, $50
gift card for gift shop $500 value)
• Grand Casino Mille Lacs - Shamrock 'in Stay & Play Package one night in a suite, $50 food, $100 Grand Play, $50 gift card for gift shop ($500 value)
• Grand Casino Mille Lacs - Shamrock 'in Stay & Play Package one night in a suite, $50 food, $100 Grand Play, $50 gift card for gift shop ($500 value)
• Grand Casino Mille Lacs - Shamrock 'in Stay & Play Package one night in a suite, $50 food, $100 Grand Play, $50 gift card for gift shop ($500 value)
• JAG Interior Solutions: Two stainless 40-ounce water cups, two Phix samples ($87 value)
• Jameson Irish Whiskey
• Key Wellness: Immunity Boost with Glutathione ($189 value)
• Lake Country Crafts & Cones: Artwork ($50 value)
• Lar ry's Lake Rentals: Single day pontoon rental ($475 value)
• Majestic Inspirations Photo & Framing: Professional photo and framing by local artist Steve Gustafson ($175 value)
jgowen19@hotmail.com
• MarineMax: Mission Hybrid Surf Board ($470 value)
• Maucieri's Italian Bistro: Gift card ($50 value)
• Maverick Boutique: North Star State hoodie from Made in MN ($64 value)
• MN Roots: Gift certificate, must be 21 years old to redeem ($150 value)
• Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar: Gift card ($100 value)
• Patrick's Cedar Chest: Gift card ($50 value)
• R&J Radio: Mall of America Nickelodeon Universe for four ($225 value)
• Raf ferty's Pizza Crosslake: Gift certificate ($50 value)
• Stonehear th Remodeling: Threenight stay in a four-bedroom vacation home on Cross Lake ($2,000 value)
• Wes Hanson Builders
• Whitefish Lodge & Suites: Twonight stay in a suite ($520 value)
• Wing Wellness: 1-hour relaxation massage ($100 value)
• Zorbaz Crozzlake: Sweatshirt ($60 value)
2024 parade winners
• Best of Parade: Crosslake Ace Hardware
• Honorable Mentions: Moonlite Bay, Boyd Lodge, Baratto Brothers
• Favorite Nonprofit: Crosslake Ideal Lions
• Honorable Mentions: Family Youth Sportsman Club of MN, Crosslake Historic Log Village
• Most Enthusiastic: Pine River PickleFest
Crosslake Ace Hardware won the Best in Float For-profit award at the Crosslake St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2024.
Attendees and participants celebrate the 50th annual Crosslake St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2024.
Tom Fraki / Echo Journal File Photo
Tom Fraki / Echo Journal File Photo