Chamber Blog

October 2011
Fantastic fall days

The only word for fall in the north woods right now is fantastic. With leaves turned deep red, golden yellow and bright orange, the sky looks brighter blue than ever and lakes mirror nature’s changing palette.

It’s time to hike, bike or simply gaze at the wonder of it all and let your senses take in the comforting scent of crisp fall days and appreciate the fact that the only sounds you hear are the crunch of leaves and pine needles under your feet, the occasional chatter of squirrels getting ready for winter or geese overhead noisily winging their way southward.

Some hunters have already headed to the woods and water, paddlers relish one more morning cruise around the lake, anglers fish one more time on a sunny afternoon and we burn logs in the fireplace to warm up.

The Park Rapids Lakes Area remains a beautiful, peaceful place to head outdoors, relax or enjoy some local culture. There’s always lots to see and do.

Every Saturday in October, Carters Red Wagon Farm (14766 119th Avenue) is hosting Pumpkin Parties. All your favorite activities - wagon rides, live scare crows, the pumpkin propeller, photo ops, concessions and more - offer family fun. You’ll also find a sunflower maze, straw bale maze and a 4.5-acre corn maze in the shape of Minnesota and a loon! A concession stand is also available with homemade treats, all-beef hot dogs, soup, cider and more.

A legendary Czech band, Druha Trava, will launch a month-long, U.S. tour with a concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Park Rapids Area High School auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door.

The Minnesota Folklore Theater Children’s Theater will present the beloved play, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” Oct. 14-23.

The Arts Downtown PR series will continue from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 in downtown Park Rapids. This event is designed to bring audiences to see and hear visual artists, musicians, writers and other artists in businesses in downtown Park Rapids on the Third Thursday of the month year round. A schedule of times various artists will be performing will be available at downtown businesses and the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber office as well as on the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association website (www.parkrapidsdowntown.com). The public is invited to participate in these events and encouraged to make a free will donation to the artists.

Main Street businesses will hand out treats to colorful, costumed characters from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 celebrating Halloween.

Many other activities and events to celebrate fall are on the October calendar. The Chamber Website has all the information you need to put together a memorable vacation or weekend visit. If you want help or have questions, call our friendly staff at 800-247-0054 to learn more.

Labels: Arts Downtown Park Rapids, Fall color tour, Halloween, Live theater shows, Pumplin Party

September 2011
Bring on September

Mother Nature will soon be washing the northern landscape with fall colors so breathtaking you won’t be able to resist a drive, bike ride or walk to take them all in. Later in the month, we will celebrate the area’s outdoors, arts and cultural resources supported by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment as part of Legacy Destination Weekend.

The scenery is spectacular and the mosquitoes are gone. Lakes and rivers mirror their surroundings, reflecting the change of seasons. Purple asters, goldenrod and sumac’s red spikes accent country roads. And geese and ducks will soon be making their noisy overhead formations, preparing to depart.

The small community of Nimrod hosts an end-of-summer bash like no other over the Labor Day weekend. The theme for the 33rd Annual Jubilee Days Celebration is “Still Revvin’ in 2011.” Festivities include a bull ride, parade, mud run, fireworks and much more along the banks of the beautiful Crow Wing River. A canoe race has been added to Sunday’s schedule of events this year.

The Fall Classic Fishing Tournament on Long Lake lands on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Akeley will celebrate its 4th Annual Hay Days Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16 and 17. Or sign up for a Cowgirl Weekend Sept. 16-18 at Toad Mountain Ranch. Fall fun begins Sept. 24 with a Pumpkin Party at Carter’s Red Wagon Farm and continue every Saturday through October. In additon to live scare crows, a pumpkin propeller, concessions and other activities, experience a sunflower maze, a straw bale maze and a 4.5-acre corn maze in the shape of Minnesota and a loon.

Legacy Destination Weekend will feature annual events and several special activities Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-25.

The 31st Annual Headwaters 100 bike ride Saturday, Sept. 24 will depart from Century School for 100-mile, 75-mile and 45-mile rides and provide an opportunity for a beautiful ride in a well-organized event, sponsored by the Itascatur Ski, Bike and Run Club.

On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 & 26, the Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council will sponsor the 6th Annual Art Leap, a driving tour of artists’ studios and other cultural destinations.

Additional events will include a Celebration of the Arts in conjunction with Kinship’s annual spaghetti dinner at the Century School Friday, a production celebrating the Northern Light Opera Company’s 10th anniversary Saturday and the opening concert of the Heartland Concert Association’s 30th season Sunday.

For details about these and other Legacy Destination Weekend events, go to www.parkrapids.com/legacyevent.htm.

Many other activities and events are on the September calendar. Or just head north for a stay and enjoy listening to the pine cones plopping to the ground below, the special scent of the fall afternoon air, the sight of early morning fog on lakes and fields, the sound of geese flying overhead and the feel of a warm campfire.

The Chamber Website has all the information you need to put together a memorable vacation or weekend visit. If you want help or have questions, call our friendly staff at 800-247-0054 to learn more.

Labels: fall happenings, Park Rapids Vacation destination