The Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with various businesses and organizations, is once again organizing Cabin Fever Weekend at the end of January to help get people out and about for some wintertime fun. From that Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, there will be a number of special indoor and outdoor activities to choose from. Many of those are being offered for free or at a very low cost per person.
While the schedule is still being added to, an assortment of offerings have already been confirmed. Starting on Jan. 31st, there will be a Murder Mystery Soup Dinner at the Charles City Public Library from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (limited to first 20 people), while the Charles City Family YMCA will be hosting both Whiteout Roller Skating and an Open Swim from 6:30-8:15 p.m.
On Feb. 1st, Floyd County Conservation will host the Rudd Ice Fishing Frenzy at Rudd Lake from 9 a.m. to noon, as well as an Owl Prowl from 6-8 p.m. at the Tosanak Recreation Area near Marble Rock. Crawdaddy’s Outdoors from Waverly will be offering cross-country skiing and snow shoe rentals at Wildwood Park from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for those who have always wanted to try that out. The YMCA will again offer Open Swim time from 1-4 p.m., while the Charles City Senior Center, 900 Hulin St., will be hosting Cabin Fever Bingo Night starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Charles Theatre will be offering a 1:30 p.m. matinee showing of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” on both Saturday and Sunday that weekend.
Something new to Cabin Fever Weekend this year will be the Cedar River Shiver, put on by Community Revitalization. Individuals and teams will have the chance to show their courage and creativity by taking a dip in the icy Cedar River at 2 p.m. There will be awards for best costume (both individual and team), Oldest Plunger, Furthest Traveled Plunger and the True Blue Business Award for having the most participants representing a business. Call (641) 228-2335 or email mark@charlescitychamber.com for more information.
For those with an aversion to the cold there is a ‘Chicken’ option. Chickens will also receive a keepsake gift and can stay warm and dry while sitting front row at the event in the “Chicken Coop.” Participants in the Coop will help judge the participants for the Best Costume awards and have a chance to win a bucket of chicken from Dairy Queen or Hy-Vee.
Then on Feb. 2nd, come out to the Rockford Fossil & Prairie Center at 1 p.m. for Bird Feeder Palooza, put on by Floyd County Conservation. Call (641) 756-3490 for more information on that or Saturday’s Owl Prowl. The YMCA will again host an Open Swim from 1-3:30 p.m., while the Charles Theatre matinee is at 1:30 p.m.
Assuming there is snow, the Lion’s Field Sledding Hill will be available to enjoy all weekend long. Access to the top of the hill is along Gilbert Street, across from the Best Budget Inn.
Any business or organization that would like to get in on the fun and offer a special activity during Cabin Fever Weekend is encouraged to do so and to let the Chamber know about it for additional promotion. Call the Chamber at (641) 228-4234, stop in at 401 N. Main St., or email info@charlescitychamber.com to learn more.
