Winter Dance Party is an annual tribute to the lives & legacies of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, & JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson, who played their last concert at the Surf Ballroom on February 2nd, 1959.
The Winter Dance Party is a celebration of the lives and legacies of three rock 'n' roll legends lost too soon. It is a pilgrimage for thousands of rock 'n' roll fans from across the nation and the world.
Saturday, February 3 - 2024 Event Schedule
Rockin' n Boppin' Record Show - 8:00am - close
Best Western Holiday Lodge Opal Room, 2023 7th Ave N, Clear Lake
Vinyl albums and records, posters, memorabilia and more available for purchase - there's something for everyone at this show! Vendors may contact Matt Hanna at (641) 251-1275 to reserve space
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public
Ritchie Valens Family Luncheon - 11:00am
Best Western Holiday Lodge Diamond Ballroom, 2023-7th Ave N, Clear Lake
Enjoy lunch with members of the Valens family along with great live music! Ritchie Valens memorabilia will be on display and merchandise will be available for purchase. Advance reservations required! Please note that the Surf Ballroom's 3-day ticket does not grant admission to this event, a separate ticket is required. Doors open at 10:30am.
Admission: $30/person includes a buffet style lunch and live entertainment by Denny & The DC Drifters
Historic Park Inn Tours -11:30am
15 W State Street, Mason City
Frank Lloyd Wright designed 6 hotels. Five were built, but only one remains! Originally opened in 1910 as the City National Bank and Park Inn, the building now functions as a 27 room boutique hotel following its extensive restoration and rehabilitation which was completed in 2011.
Admission: $10/person - Purchase tickets in the Wright on the Park gift shop in the Historic Park Inn Hotel.
Guided Tours of Carl J Fox Home - 1:00-3:00pm
449 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake
Located across the street from the Surf Ballroom stands a lovingly restored vintage home built in 1948 by Carl J. Fox, original owner/creator of the Surf Ballroom. The home features many unique furnishings and characteristics. Much like the Surf, it is as though time stood still in the home - many artifacts having remained in the Fox family home through the years, giving visitors a glimpse of life in the 1940s and 1950s.
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public
Split Second Band - 2:00-6:00pm
Surf Galley, 619 Buddy Holly Place, Clear Lake
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public
Bopper & Me Movie Showing - 2:00pm
Clear Lake Arts Center Sukup Performing Arts Wing, 17 S 4th St, Clear Lake
A scrap metal merchant from England travels to America on a mission to get his hero, The Big Bopper, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The film was recently featured during the Iowa Independent Film Festival.
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public
Self Guided Memorial Site Tour
Take a self-guided tour to the farm field north of Clear Lake, Iowa where the ill-fated airplane came to rest. This outdoor memorial is located just under 1/2 mile from the road along the fence row in a farm field north of Clear Lake. There is a large pair of black rimmed glasses marking the trail head on Gull Avenue. Visitors to the site are encouraged to dress in warm layers!
Admission: FREE, open to the General Public
Winter Dance Party Concert featuring Albert Lee's 80th Birthday Jam with Special Guests Marshall Crenshaw & Blondie Chaplain; The Lettermen; Slim Jim Phantom's All Star Finale with appearances by Jennie Vee, Glen Matlock, Gilby Clarke, Austin Allsup and Chris Montez; Holy Rocka Rollaz
Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr, Clear Lake
Doors open: 7:00pm
Admission: $75 advance; $80 door (general admission tickets available for purchase by calling the Surf Ballroom at (641) 357-6151 or ordering online at www.surfballroom.com)
Winter Dance Party
Date and Time
Saturday Feb 3, 2024
Surf is open 10am-4pm, concert doors open at 7pm.
Location
Surf Ballroom
Website
Contact Information
Surf Ballroom
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