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.