The Facts on LACC: Lakes Area Community Center

By Missy Hermes, Photos by Sara Faaaliga Photography

Volunteers for the Lakes Area Community Center (LACC) have always been a busy bunch. The nonprofit started in 2008, laying the groundwork for a group on a mission to promote greater Battle Lake area business and organizations. This committee of community members plus a city council member liaison found space in a former church to hold meetings and organize events.

Then in 2022, LACC backers decided to sell their space. They’ve taken a more mobile approach for propelling projects forward. As Lauren Belmont, serving on the LACC board says, the move is, “freeing up manpower and resources for us to expand our events and programming and we are super excited about that!”

A look at their calendar of hometown happenings supports that excitement. There is something for every season with businesses sponsoring events. A fun monthly LACC BINGO night held at various restaurants around town helps fund the organization.

Summer is high energy season for the LACC. Weekly activities include the Farmers Market and the popular turtle races occurring mid-June to mid-August. In addition, the group coordinates the Chief Wenonga Days in mid-July helping organizations advertise and coordinate their festival events such as the pedal tractor pull, parade, 5K/10K run, historic walking tours, a craft fair and petting zoo.

When fall colors arrive, LACC keeps the business scene warm as well. Jack-o-Lantern Jubilee in October provides an afternoon of activities. Youngsters can wear their Halloween costumes and decorate pumpkins, play games, enjoy face painting and craft stations, bouncy house, and dig for buried treasure in the sawdust coin search.

Bargain hunters searching for ways to spend some coin will enjoy The Hunt is On and Hop Into Spring seasonal shopping promotions. And don’t leave out winter with the January Kites on Ice event. In the words of Lauren, “the LACC has a passion for bringing fun to the community!”