It’s a tradition that has come to be one of the biggest events in Clearwater - the Clearwater Travel Plaza Patio Party.

 

In its ninth year, the event draws hundreds of people from the community who celebrate the day with free food, entertainment, prizes and special recognition for employees, customers and veterans.

Tuesday was no exception to big crowds as hundreds filled the Plaza parking lot and shared a meal of burgers, brats, ice cream and a selection of drinks.

 

At 4 p.m., the Clearwater Legion Riders escorted three busloads of veterans from the St. Cloud VA Medical Center to the celebration. They were led down a red carpet flanked by the Clearwater Color Guard and given a standing ovation by the crowd.

 

Travel Plaza Vice President Wendy Johnson greeted each veteran with a hug and thanked the Riders for their escort.

 

Then lines formed to get food and there was plenty of it. Nelson Bros. owner Joel Nelson said they had enough to serve 3,000, and many went back for seconds.

 

Members of the Legion Riders and staff from the Travel Plaza sold raffle tickets at $2 each. Prizes included a DJI Phantom Drone with camera and GPS, a Dewalt tool kit, $200 in cash and a $200 Travel Plaza gift certificate. Proceeds went to support St. Cloud VA Recreation Dept activities.

 

At 5:30 p.m., Johnson called for the Travel Plaza managers to line up along the red carpet. Then she began calling out the names of employees who have been with the company for at least five years. As each of them walked the red carpet, the crowd cheered. They received a handshake and/or a hug from Johnson and Nelson before being handed a card with a gift.

 

The employees’ years of ranged from five to 39 years. Johnson herself was celebrating her 31st year, and she said jokingly, “I started working here when I was three, just to be clear,” as the crowd laughed.

Later, the crowd had live musical entertainment by Radio Nation, a country/rock band based out of Central Minnesota.

 

The event lasted for hours, and everyone had a great time.

 

Johnson said the patio party is their way of thanking staff for their dedication, customers for their support and veterans for their service.