Surf Ballroom

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The Surf Ballroom is located in Clear Lake, Iowa. It was originally built in 1933, burned down in 1947, and rebuilt in 1948, across the street from its original location. It still hosts numerous events and has a seating capacity of 2,100, and has a 6,300 square foot dance floor. Attached to the building is the Surfside 6 Cafe. The Surf Ballroom is currently owned by the Snyder family of Clear Lake.

The Surf Ballroom is the last place where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper performed, on February 2, 1959, during the Winter Dance Party Tour, before they died in a plane crash at a nearby field. A stainless steel memorial was erected in the field where the plane crashed.

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