Never underestimate the beauty of the gradual slide from one season to the next as early fall reveals itself across the north woods. Whether you prefer to just view the changing landscape or take part in one of September’s special events, it’s a show that only arrives once a year.
End your summer with a bash at the Nimrod Labor Day Bull Bash Sept. 1&2. Meech Bucking Bulls brings the 15th Annual Labor Day Bull Bash at the Meech Bucking Bull Ranch, east of Nimrod. Watch some of the rankest bulls try to buck off some of the toughest cowboys before the 8-second buzzer. Afterward, join in barn dances with Tripwire Friday night and Johnny Holm Saturday night. The Bull Bash is one of Nimrod Jubilee Days events during Labor Day weekend.
The Headwaters 100 bike ride will depart from Century School for 100-mile, 75-mile and 45-mile rides Saturday, Sept. 23. The event provides an opportunity for a beautiful fall ride in a well-organized event, sponsored by the Itascatur Outdoor Activity Club. Last fall, 444 riders participated.
More fall fun begins Sept. 23 with a Fall Festival and Pumpkin Party at Carter’s Red Wagon Farm and continues Saturdays through Oct. 28 as well as Thursday and Friday, Oct. 19&20 (Teacher Association weekend). The activities offers everything to love about fall and will include themed wagon rides, two corn mazes, hay and straw bale mazes, a hay bale castle, giant pumpkin boats, duck races, cow milking, games and many more activities as well as food.
Art Leap, an “open studio event” featuring artists’ studios and culturally rich destinations, will include a sculpture tour again. Art Leap dates are Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 and 24. Studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Highlights of Art Leap include music, hors d’oeuvres and seeing fall colors at their peak while driving from studio to studio. It’s a great time to purchase original art for your home and meet the artist who created it. Enjoy live demonstrations and other arts activities at some locations. Brochures with maps, sculpture tour directions and descriptions, performance times and other information are available at the Chamber Visitor Center or may be downloaded at www.prlaac.org.
Playing for the Cause, an afternoon of music, is planned from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 in Pioneer Park on the second block of Main Avenue South. The event is a Park Rapids Downtown Business Association fundraiser to support the Park Rapids Parks and Beautification Board in their effort to raise $25,000 toward the cost of constructing restrooms in Pioneer Park next spring.
The Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council will sponsor the Great American Story as part of Art Leap weekend. This year’s four finalists from Park Rapids, Plymouth, Clitherall and Bemidji will tell their winning stories as part of the program from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. While audience votes are being counted guest storyteller, Richard W. Rousseau, will entertain. Emcee will be Bruce Bolton, founder, owner and artistic/managing director of Long Lake Theater. For more information, go to www.thegreatamericanstory.org.
The same evening, Itasca State Park offers the 10th Annual Autumn Harvest Festival and Lantern Lit Hike. “Fungus Among Us” is this year’s theme. Guides with lanterns will lead hikers down the kerosene lantern-lit trail to meet characters that will share all about Itasca’s fungus and fungus imposters during this family-friendly evening hike. Registration begins at 6 p.m. The first hike leaves the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m. and the last hike starts at 8:10. Other activities will be posted closer to the date.
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 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 m