(Radio Iowa) – Don McLean, the singer best known for the song “American Pie,” will be the feature act of the Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. Surf executive director Laurie Lietz says it’ll be McLean’s first appearance at the ballroom since 1994. His performance comes on the golden anniversary of the release of the song honoring the legacy of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, who died in a plane crash after performing at the Surf in 1959. “We’re excited to bring him back,” Lietz says. “2021 actually marks the 50th anniversary of the release of ‘American Pie’. We wanted him for last year’s Winter Dance Party, but he said it was coming up on an anniversary and it would be more special to do it in 2021, and we really think it is. It will just be fun to see some live music, but to do it in a safe way.”

The lineup announcement follows Governor Kim Reynolds’ emergency pandemic proclamation addressing large gatherings. Lietz says the Surf is committed to providing a safe event and will change things to be in line with the guidelines that are happening at that time. “We announced the event just before she made some changes, and fortunately for us, those were things that we are already doing with the reduced group sizes, distancing tables and booths, and wearing masks when they are away from their chairs. We’ve been doing that. Our staff has been wearing masks. We’ve been safely hosting some smaller events, weddings, meetings and celebrations of life all summer long. For us, this is unfortunately business as usual.”

The dance party runs February 3rd through the 6th. The other three days of the event will feature John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party on Thursday night, the Killer Vees & Friends featuring Edan Everly on Friday night, and on Saturday night, Jason D. Williams, the Holy Rocka Rollaz and Austin Allsup. Lietz says the lineup is smaller for a number of reasons. “The first of which is their safety. We just have a very small backstage area and a limited amount of space for them to be back there. We tried very hard to get groups that were fan favorites for people but to keep them self-contained. When they come in, they are already working with people on the bill, and we’re able to keep them safe and distanced.”

Tickets for Don McLean will be sold separately and are $65. A three-day pass for the rest of the Winter Dance Party is $110. Tickets go on sale starting November 24th and may online be purchased online at surfballroom.com or by calling the Surf box office at 641-357-6151.