It turns out Crosslake’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to canceled events across the lakes area in the wake of the national COVID-19 pandemic.

Following is a roundup of area events that have been canceled or postponed indefinitely.

Crosslake parade

The 46th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade was canceled one day before it was scheduled to take place Saturday, March 14. While green-clad people didn’t line Route 66 as in years past, establishments were full of people of all ages having fun.

"Social distancing” wasn’t a factor that day, and establishments offered candy to patrons that they'd planned to hand out in the parade. Several groups even took to the parking lots to have their traditional tailgate parties with food, bonfires and bean bag games.

“Crosslake never ceases to amaze me. Amidst all the adversity over the past week, the Crosslake business community stands resilient, the residents supportive, and visitors are welcomed as family,” Crosslake Chamber Director Cindy Myogeto said in an email. “The city of Crosslake was faced with a tough decision and despite emotional reactions, the community was able to come together to make the best of our annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.

While the traditional parade was canceled, Police Chief Erik Lee and Sgt. Eric Swanson escorted into town one honorary float that was parked at the landmark Andy’s Bar & Grill intersection as a nod to the 46-year-old tradition, Myogeto said.

“Businesses and establishments Crosslake-wide offered fun activities, honored discounts and served hundreds in their restaurants without hesitation,” she said. “Over the next few weeks, my office will remain open and I will be available to assist you as we all navigate through this pandemic together. We’re all looking forward to a healthy and prosperous 2020 tourism season and the 47th annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Saturday, March 13, 2021.”

Canceled events

Senior series

The Old Age is Not for Sissies 2.0-Stay on Top of Your Game senior series seminar scheduled Wednesday, March 18, at Pine River United Methodist Church is postponed.

Caregiver classes postponed until April

The Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes sponsored by Faith in Action for Cass County and Union Church in Hackensack are postponed and scheduled to begin April 15. Call Faith in Action at 218-675-5435 for more information.

Grassroots

Grassroots Concerts canceled Claudia Schmidt’s March 20 concert and will reschedule the concert at a later date. The organization will make an announcement in the next week or two regarding the remaining spring concerts with Ellis and John Gorka.

Film postponed

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival, a collection of films that speak to the environmental concerns and celebrations of our planet, was canceled and will be rescheduled in the fall or winter.

It was previously scheduled for Saturday, March 21, at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd.

Everything Expo

The Everything Expo scheduled Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, at the Essentia Health Sports Center in Brainerd is canceled.

Lakeshore Conservation Club

The Lakeshore Conservation Club postponed its annual Wild Game Dinner that was scheduled Sunday, March 22. An alternative date will be communicated as quickly as possible as soon as it is reserved.

Nisswa Garden Club

The Nisswa Garden Club canceled all its March meetings and programs.

Nisswa Women’s Club

The Nisswa Women’s Club meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, March 19, was canceled.

League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters-Brainerd Lakes Area canceled a presentation, “The State of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA),” originally scheduled for Thursday, March 19. The program will possibly be moved to this fall.

Parkinson’s disease group

The Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meeting scheduled Thursday, April 2, at Lord of Life Church in Baxter is canceled. For questions, call 218-829-4017.

Rosenmeier Forum

The Rosenmeier Forum scheduled for March 17 at Central Lakes College is postponed. The group will reschedule the event at a later date.

Pequot Lakes Community Education

All Pequot Lakes Community Education classes and activities are canceled until further notice.

Performing arts events

The Central Lakes Community Performing Arts Center at Central Lakes College canceled the remainder of its season, following an announcement from Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra that all events with more than 100 attendees be canceled until May 1 at all campuses. The events affected are:

• Neither Wolf Nor Dog (March 17 and 18).

• Farewell Angelina (March 21).

• Laurence Juber (March 26).

• Big Friendly Giant (April 3 and 4).

• The New Standards (April 17).

• I Am … He Said: A Neil Diamond Celebration (April 24).

• The Outgoing Tide (April 30-May 2, May 7-9).

If you’ve already purchased tickets to one or more of these events, here are options for you to consider:

1. Credit for purchased tickets to be applied to future events (any ticketing fees already paid cannot be credited).

2. Donation of the ticket price to the organization.

3. Refund (less service fees).

“We humbly ask that you consider option #2, as the organization will have a substantial financial loss as a result of these actions,” said Patrick Spradlin, director of the CLC Performing Arts Center. "If you opt for a refund, please understand that processing refunds may take some time, depending on the method of payment you initially used and when purchase was made. And, we are able to refund only to the original purchaser of the ticket(s)."

Box office staff will be contacting ticket holders for each event via email and/or phone to discuss these options. They will work with each event on a chronological basis, with “Neither Wolf Nor Dog” patrons being contacted first, and working through to “The Outgoing Tide” ticket holders.

People are asked to be patient because there are more than 1,600 ticket holders to be contacted.

“At this point in time, the events are cancelled, not postponed. Should we be able to reschedule any or all of these events, we will let you know,” Spradlin said. “However, given the uncertainty of matters, we do not have a timetable as yet for possible re-scheduling. Thank you for your patience in this matter. We promise to have a robust, entertaining season (beginning with summer theatre) after this initial crisis has been averted."

Heartland Symphony Orchestra

In an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), all performances by the Heartland Symphony Orchestra were canceled for the 2020 spring season.

This includes the concert scheduled April 2 at the Log Church in Crosslake, the concert scheduled April 4 at the Charles D. Martin Auditorium of the Little Falls Community High School in Little Falls, and the concert scheduled April 5 at Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd.

All sponsorships and advertising revenue already received for the 2020 spring season will be listed in the program booklet for the 2020-2021 season.

If you have already purchased tickets for the 2020 spring season, the organization will exchange those tickets for tickets for Heartland Symphony Orchestra's 2020-21 season performances.

People may also donate their ticket.

The Heartland Symphony Orchestra will continue sharing performances that provide strength, comfort and joy through video rebroadcasts and livestreams.

Heartland Symphony Orchestra hopes to reschedule the premier of Symphony in C Major by Quinn Mason, winner of the 2020 Composer's Competition. The HSO's conductor and musicians are also committed to providing small concerts at local venues as they become available.

For more information, visit www.HeartlandSymphony.com .

CRMC events, classes

Numerous Cuyuna Regional Medical Center-Crosby community events, classes and support groups have been cancelled. They include: Monday, March 16, Weight Loss Seminar (available live at https://www.facebook.com/crosbycares/ ); Tuesday, March 17, Weight Loss Support Group; and Thursday, March 26, Women’s Health and Happiness event.

Visit www.cuyunamed.org or https://www.facebook.com/crosbycares/ for updates.

As a public service, we've opened this article to everyone regardless of subscription status.

1/6: A group of people had a tailgate party complete with food and bean bag boards Saturday, March 14, in Crosslake, even though the parade was canceled. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

2/6: The Tangled Chords played live music Saturday, March 14, for a full crowd at 14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co. in Crosslake.

3/6: Melaina Collins (left), 11, of Garrison; Vivian Magler, 7, of Scandia; and Olivia Fjeseth, 10, of Crosslake, celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar on Saturday, March 14. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

4/6: Steve and Jane Lindaman and their sons, Luke, 11, and Ryan, 13, ventured to their home in Crosslake from their Iowa hometown as they do every year for the Crosslake St. Patrick's Day celebration. Jane said they didn't know the parade was canceled until they arrived, but they understoond the reasoning. Here they are shown at 14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

5/6: 14 Lakes Craft Brewing Co.'s float was all ready for the Crosslake St. Patrick's Day parade, which was canceled. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal

6/6: Patricia Demcho and three families of kids found the hidden Pot O’ Gold after the third clue was released Saturday, March 14, in Crosslake. The hidden treasure was in the well box located at the Exchange Parking Lot on Route 66. Submitted Photo