The always popular Panorama Days celebration in Panora is still a little more than five months away, but given the brutal winter we’ve all experienced, just the thought of summer festivities gives us all something to look forward to.

Panorama Days Executive Director Chaille Crandall says she’s already begun plans for this year’s celebration, and she’s also helping to coordinate two upcoming fundraisers on the event’s behalf.

“It’s something new that we’re starting.  I feel–after putting on Panorama Days last year–that if the community wants more events going on and a bigger celebration, then we need to raise money to put that kind of stuff on.”

Those upcoming fundraisers are a bridge tournament at the Lake Panorama West Clubhouse on Sunday, March 16th, and a town breakfast on Saturday, April 26th at PJ’s.  Crandall says she’s asking that Panora Chamber members volunteer at either of the two events.

In reflecting back on her first year as Panorama Days’ leader, Crandall called it a “great experience,” but she will need more help to pull off this year’s celebration in early August.

“We do still need a lot of volunteers; it takes a lot of volunteers to put something like this on.  I think we’ve lost that from the past where people are willing to give their time to the community… so I’m hoping to build that back up and get some young people in there to help out.”

Any area residents interested in volunteering for Panorama Days or its preceding fundraisers can call Crandall at 515-729-2240.