The 23rd annual “Winter Dance Party” gets underway tonight at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. The three-day tribute commemorates the original Winter Dance Party concert at the Surf back in 1959, after which rock stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and “The Big Bopper” J-P Richardson died in a plane crash just north of Clear Lake. Surf Ballroom manager Scott Anderson says Saturday night’s concert will be the highlight of the weekend. Anderson says people from around the globe converge on north central Iowa every February to remember the rockers. Anderson says the harsh winter weather never has much affect on people attending the Winter Dance Party. He says it’s amazing that people keep coming back year after year.Anderson says the history of the Surf Ballroom draws people to Clear Lake year-round. Events get underway tonight with a concert by the Fabulous Convertibles. Other events during the weekend include guided bus tours to the plane crash site and dance lessons.
