Charles City’s Cabin Fever Weekend presents fun options indoors and outdoors

Activities planned Thursday to Sunday

To The Press

People searching for a way to break up the winter blahs now that the holidays are over need look no further than Charles City and the surrounding area Thursday through Sunday this week, Jan. 30-Feb. 2, during Cabin Fever Weekend.

“Since 2010 the Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce has coordinated a variety of indoor and outdoor activities each year at the end of January to get people out of the house for some winter fun in and around the community,” said Community Development Director Mark Wicks.

“The goal is to provide offerings for all ages and a chance to enjoy things to do with family or friends,” Wicks said.

The forecast calls for high temperatures in the mid-30s to 50, Thursday through Sunday, with little to no chance of precipitation, so snow-related activities like sledding and cross-country skiing are unlikely.

But there will be plenty of other activities available inside and outside, Wicks said.

The fun kicks off on Thursday with a Floral Class at Otto’s Oasis at 5:30 p.m. Call 641-228-6193 to register or for more information.

Floyd County Conservation is also offering “Women in the Woods With Wine – Coed Jeopardy,” at the Tosanak Recreation Area near Marble Rock, for persons age 21 and older who are interested in discovering more about the outside.

There is a $15 fee and pre-registration is required by going online to mycountyparks.com/County/Floyd.aspx. Click on “More Events” in the Featured Events box on the right.

On Friday, PAWS Humane Society will hold an open house with dog and cat adoptions at 303 Shaw Ave. from 4-7 p.m. PAWS will also be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The Charles City Family YMCA will host roller skating from 6:30-7:30 p.m., with a fee of $5 per person. The Charles Theatre will also be showing the movie “Autumn and the Black Jaguar” at 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The biggest day of activities will be Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. with a Bluey Party at the Charles City Public Library, a Giant Chess Board game at the Charles City Arts Center at 301 N. Jackson St., and a Beer Curling Fest at the Charles City Elks Lodge, 2111 Clark St.

No registration is required for the Bluey Party at the Library or the Giant Chess Game at the Arts Center, and there is no fee to participate.

Registration is required to participate in the Beer Curling Fest by contacting Zach at 641-330-5924, or the Elks Lodge at 641-228-1257 to reserve a spot. Three-person teams will take turns “curling” 30-Packs of Busch Light Beer on the Elks pond, attempting to earn the most points. Prizes will be awarded, food will be available (freewill offering) and the bar will be open. Cost is $30 per team.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that Saturday, the Arts Center will host a free scavenger hunt for all ages at 301 N. Jackson St., while the Floyd County Extension Office at 112 N. Main St. will put on a “Cooking Wild With Venison” class from 1noon to 1 p.m. Call 641-228-1453 to register. Cost for the cooking class is $5 per person.

The Charles City Family YMCA will offer an Open Swim from 1-3 p.m. Saturday and from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

From 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Floyd County Conservation will host a Bird Feeder Palooza at the Rockford Fossil & Prairie Center, 1227 215th St. near Rockford; $10 fee. Register online at mycountyparks.com/County/Floyd.aspx.

From 3-4 p.m., the Charles City Public Library will host a Family NERF Event. Registration for that is required by calling 641-257-6319.

That evening, the Tosanak Rec Area will offer an Owl Prowl at 6 p.m. There is no fee, but registration is required at mycountyparks.com/County/Floyd.aspx.

Join Floyd County Naturalist Heidi Reams discovering what makes owls unique and go on a night hike to hear owls call.

Students PK-4th grade can enjoy indoor fun with a DJ dance and games at the Winter SnowBall from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Charles City High School gym. Admission is a snack donation for the Charles City public elementary schools. Go to charlescityschools.org to find a list of safe snack suggestions. All children must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years of age.

The Charles City Community Center at 900 Hulin Street will also be offering bingo starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, with a $500 jackpot. Free sandwiches and bars will be available for all players.

Finally, on Sunday, a Vintage Valentine Workshop will be offered at the Arts Center from 1-3 p.m. There is a $5 fee for materials.

On the chance there is snow, there is always free outdoor sledding fun available at the Lion’s Field Sledding Hill, located across from the Best Budget Inn on Gilbert Street.

For more information on any of the above, contact the activity provider or the Chamber office at 641-228-4234, email info@charlescitychamber.com.

The Cabin Fever Weekend schedule is subject to change, with updated schedules posted on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

Cabin Fever Weekend – Thursday, Jan. 30

• 5:30 p.m. – Floral Class at Otto’s Oasis; call 641-228-6193 for reservations or stop in.

• 7-9 p.m. – Women in the Woods With Wine – Coed Jeopardy, Tosanak Rec Area, 2543 Glass Road near Marble Rock, Pre-registration required/$15 fee.

Friday, Jan. 31

• 4-7 p.m. – PAWS open house for dog, cat adoptions, 303 Shaw Ave.

• 6:30 p.m. – Roller Skating at Charles City YMCA.

• 7 p.m. – Movie at the Charles Theatre, “Autumn and the Black Jaguar.”

Saturday, Feb. 1

• 10-11 a.m. – Bluey Party for kids at Public Library; registration required, 641-257-6319.

• 10 a.m. – Beer Curling at Elks Lodge, 2111 Clark St. / $30 per three-person team.

• 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Giant Chess Board at Arts Center, 301 North Jackson St.

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Scavenger Hunt at Arts Center, 301 North Jackson St.

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – PAWS open house for dog, cat adoptions, 303 Shaw Ave.

• Noon-1 p.m. – Cooking Wild With Venison at Extension Office, 112 N. Main St., $5 per person, call 641-228-1453 to register.

• 1-3 p.m. – Open Swim at Charles City YMCA.

• 1-3 p.m. – Bird Feeder Palooza at Rockford Fossil & Prairie Center, 1227 215th St., near Rockford/$10 fee, Register online at mycountyparks.com.

• 3-4 p.m. – Family NERF Event at Public Library. Registration required, 641-257-6319.

• 6 p.m. – Owl Prowl at Tosanak Rec Area, 2543 Glass Road near Marble Rock/no fee; register online at mycountyparks.com.

• 6:30 p.m. – Bingo at Charles City Community Center; free sandwiches and bars; $500 jackpot.

• 7 p.m. – Movie at the Charles Theatre, “Autumn and the Black Jaguar.”

Sunday, Feb. 2

• 1-3 p.m. – Vintage Valentine Workshop at Arts Center, 301 N. Jackson St.

• 1-4 p.m. – PAWS open house, 303 Shaw Ave.

• 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Open Swim at Charles City YMCA.

• 7 p.m. – Movie at the Charles Theatre, “Autumn and the Black Jaguar.”