Chamber Blog

4th of July 2009

We think when Carly Simon sings, “Nobody does it better. Makes me feel sad for the rest,” she was thinking of Park Rapids on the 4th of July.

From the Firecracker Footrace at dawn to the fabulous fireworks at dusk, thousands come for a slice of American pie. (Appropriately, there is even a pie contest.)

The 31st annual Firecracker Footrace starts with registration from 6:30 to 8:15 a.m. at Heartland Park. There is a 5K Run or Walk and 10K Run plus a free kids fun run for ages 12 and under starting afterward. This fundraiser for the Park Rapids Panthers track and cross country drew 400-plus participants last year.

The tasty summer Pie Baking Contest brings out the best cooks in the countryside. Pies must be entered between 9 a.m. and noon at Beagle Books. Contest results and an auction will follow the parade. Judges will include author Will Weaver and Helen Peterson, our local Pie Queen! This will be the 3rd annual contest, a fundraiser for the Park Rapids Area Library.

If you are staying at a resort or the family cabin, many lakes have boat parades, regattas or flotillas. By any name, these delightful gatherings draw canoes, fishing boats and pontoons decorated for the day. They’re fun for participants and spectators alike.

The parade celebrates an old-fashioned 4th of July starting at 3 p.m. on North Main Avenue. Clowns, ponies, fire trucks, floats, beauty queens, music and more amaze spectators who come back year after year to see this great Park Rapids tradition.

You will be seeing cowboys and cowgirls all over town during the week. They’re here for the 31st annual Park Rapids Bull Ride (July 2, 3 and 4th). Performances start at 6:30 p.m. on Highway 34 east. This PBR event features world class bull riders as well as Freestyle Moto X, Kids Sheep Riding, Cowboy Poker and nightly dances.

At 7:30 p.m. the Park Rapids Area Community Band gives a Pre-Fireworks Concert at Red Bridge Park. Listening to the patriotic marches and other music in the band’s repertoire is sure to send chills down your spine and remind you why we celebrate Independence Day.

Thanks to terrific support from the community and those who never miss being in Park Rapids on the 4th, the Park Rapids Rotary Club fireworks will be bigger and better than ever this year. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Red Bridge and Heartland Parks or launch your boat on the Fish Hook River before dusk and wait for the show to begin.

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

Park Rapids Fishing Report June 18th, 2009
Anglers visiting the Park Rapids over the past week have been greeted by inconsistent fishing success. Fluctuating weather patterns and water temperatures that rise one day and fall the next have put many fish species in a state of uncertainty. However, there is a silver lining to the saturated clouds which loomed above the area last week- after only a couple days of consistent weather patterns, the fishing should hit a peak. Walleye have been the most cantankerous out of all the fish species this week. While some anglers land a few nice ones in 10-15 ft, other anglers encounter active schools in 18-25 feet. But the theme has been "here today, gone tomorrow". What worked out yesterday doesn't necessarily equate to a bend in the rod today. So in other words, stay flexible, explore various structures and don't be afraid to travel coast to coast on a lake and search from shallow to deep. Northern pike on the other hand have been keeping the anglers focused by snatching their minnows and flashy spoons, spinners and crankbaits in between the walleye bites. Look for newly developing cabbage weeds in 6-15 feet of water to catch a toothy pike.The panfish (both crappie and bluegill) have for the most part finished spawning and have set up camp on the underwater weedlines in 6-15 feet (very similar to the pike since they're a food source for the northerns). A great presentation to catch those bull bluegill and slab crappie is a Northland Tackle Panfish Tube. It looks just like a minnow fry and the fish absolutely love it. Bass have been extremely active and the majority of both largemouth and smallmouth have completed the spawning process. Right now you can find both species shallow and deep. Smallmouth will gravitate toward rock, rubble and sand, while largemouth tend to prefer lilypads, reeds, and deeper weed varieties like cabbage weeds and coontail. The muskie action has been a little slow, but most anglers are reporting curious follows with a few muskie landed here and there. Main lake humps and points have been more productive than lengthy shoreline breaks. A few days of clear sunny skies should get the muskie excited to grab a quick meal; just one great reason to head to the Park Rapids area!
Jason Durham Go Fish! Guide Service Park Rapids, MN (218)237-2092 home 218-252-2278 cellularwww.go-fish-guides.com

Park Rapids Area Fishing Report April 20, 2009

Fishing in the Park Rapids area has been slow as of late, simply because the lakes are transitioning from ice to open water. A few anglers have been testing their fishing success around open water flowages, where a few early season panfish have been caught. However, the fishing has been pretty slow.
Many lakes should open up this week or next and anglers are sure to be out in droves, making sure their boats are operating correctly as the 2009 Minnesota Fishing Opener approaches.
Stream trout fishing opened last weekend and anglers had varied success. The Straight River had some activity with anglers doing best with live bait for the trout.
It won’t be long and the walleye will begin to spawn, beginning first in areas with current and then natural lakes. Please remember to leave those fish alone since they are not in season and can earn you a stiff fine from a conservation officer.
Northern pike have been spawning in back bays and grassy backwaters. It’s interesting that such a large fish will travel into some of the shallowest, weedy areas to reproduce. Again, be sure to let those fish reproduce in peace to ensure a bumper crop of future pike.

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