Clearwater Heritage Days has been rebranded as Clearwater Heritage Festival and will be back in 2023.

Heritage Days was cancelled this past summer after a clerical error was found during planning for the event, and it was discovered there were issues with its tax-exempt status. Not knowing how long it would take to correct the error, organizers made the tough decision to cancel it.

Interest in planning the annual event had been waning over the years as well, so before any long-term decisions were made, a community meeting was held in the beginning of October to gauge interest in continuing it.

During the meeting, a motivated group of community members and business owners in Clearwater, Clear Lake, and surrounding areas stepped up. Thanks to them, Clearwater’s celebration has been revived and will be returning next summer.

Clearwater Heritage Days will now be known as Clearwater Heritage Festival. During their meeting the group formed a board of representatives, and at their next meeting on October 27 they will be looking for directors to lead the specific events that make up the festival. Many of the great features that have been part of the celebration in years past will continue as well as the addition of some exciting new features.

“We continue to value the input of our community and local businesses so we encourage both to get involved, whether that be joining a committee, hosting your own event at your business, or a financial donation to the festival,” said coordinator Brandii Thomas. “Feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, ideas, or concerns you may have.”

Although the planning group’s needs aren’t entirely clear this early in the planning process, Thomas stressed they all felt it was important to include businesses in the planning process as they’re such large stakeholders in the event. 

“Business owners may be hearing from me to request input and feedback,” she said.

Anyone interested in being part of the festival in any capacity is invited to attend the group’s next meeting on October 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Rejoice Lutheran Church. The purpose of the meeting will be to finalize directors and form committees for each of the core components of the festival as a whole. 

For more information contact Brandii Thomas at ClearwaterHeritageFestival@gmail.com.