Catch Midwest summer treats while you still can

When Labor Day's on the horizon, seasonal foods and fun start to disappear

Labor Day traditionally means that summer’s fading in the Midwest.

Seasonal activities like drive-in movie theaters and outdoor swimming pools cut back on hours or close. Ice cream stands and burger joints that are only open during the summer close their doors. And last-gasp county fairs, like the Clay County Fair in Spencer, takes a final bow.

There’s still time to enjoy the final fruits of summer, if you’re willing to make time.

The lakeside view from the Muskie Lounge in Ventura, Iowa. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Here are a few of my suggestions. Get ‘em while you still can.

Let’s start with a restaurant with a great view. The Muskie Lounge in Ventura (702 East Lake Street) is a great place for walleye and burgers. Walk out on the deck and soak in the sunshine. It’s only open during the summer, so make sure you visit soon. And call ahead — as I advise for everything on this list.

The food is great, the view is spectacular.

Delicious fried walleye from the Muskie Lounge in Ventura, Iowa. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Iowa drive-in movie theaters: Valle Drive-In, Newton. Blue Grass Drive-In, Blue Grass. Superior 71 Drive-In Theater, Spirit Lake. 61 Drive In Theatre, Delmar (near Maquoketa). All of them have websites and/or Facebook pages.

Minnesota State Fair: For those who don’t mind a trip north, the fair runs through Labor Day. It’s crowded and bigger than the Iowa State Fair. My best advice is to use one of the park and ride shuttle buses. Much easier than parking on site.

Clay County Fair: The annual event runs Sept. 9-17 in Spencer, Iowa. Several vendors are familiar sights at the Iowa and Minnesota state fairs. You can get Duke’s poutine (french fries covered with gravy and white cheese curds), chicken and noodles or hot doughnuts from Spudnutz.

The behemoth Large Cone at Belt’s Soft Serve in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Naughton.)

You can visit some great seasonal ice cream and custard stands while there’s still time available.

Belt’s Soft Serve is one of the greatest places I’ve found for strawberry shortcake (fresh berries and homemade shortcake) and shakes. But the legendary treat here is the Large Cone. Workers are told to simply make them as big as possible. The result is a two-pound tower of deliciously dense soft serve. It’s fun to eat and fun to split. Ask for several spoons. (2140 Division St, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.)

Among my other go-to places for ice cream and custard are Whippy Dip in Decorah, Classic Frozen Custard in Des Moines, Christy Creme in Council Bluffs, Sherman’s Dairy Barn in South Haven, Michigan, and Birdsall’s in Mason City. Some may have extended seasons, if you’re lucky.