Did you just hear the kids say there’s nothing to do?
Evening Bite by Barbra Wicks
Catch yourself eye-rolling at a staff meeting? Get delayed in traffic for the umpteenth time? If you’re seeing red and would rather look at green forests and blue water, it’s not too late to plan a stay in the Heartland Lakes.
Choose a classic northern Minnesota resort, a campground, bed, and breakfast or lodging in town. Your options are open and so are the experiences to try: biking, hiking, trail riding, kayaking, and fishing. Head to the Mississippi headwaters at Itasca State Park, go birdwatching or star gazing, read a good book at the end of a dock.
Itasca State Park facilities are open for the season with naturalist programs, trail hikes, live music, and other activities. When you’re this close to see where the mighty Mississippi River begins and feel the exhilaration of walking across the headwaters, you owe it to yourself and your kids or grandkids to go.
Akeley’s Paul Bunyan Days are always first on the calendar of community festivals. This year’s 71st Annual celebration is June 28-30 built around the legendary figure and traditions including a giant parade.
The free summer concert series, 2nd Street Stage, invites you to downtown Park Rapids Thursdays, June 13 through Aug. 15 for live bands, a beer garden and family-friendly activities, including cornhole tournaments. Everyone’s welcome at this great community gets together. The beer garden opens at 5 and the concerts start at 6. Go to www.parkrapidsdowntown.com to learn more about all 10 bands.
June brings the opening of our fine summer theaters and other cultural events. The summer Noon Hour Concert series starts Thursday, June 6. Since 2006 visitors, seasonal and local residents take their lunch time to enjoy live music being performed in local churches. The free concerts are from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. on most Thursdays in June July and August. Bring your lunch to eat before the concert. The churches provide sweets and beverages. The culmination of a Peace by Piece Community Art Project also will be celebrated June 6 with an art show at 6 p.m. and concert by Peter Mayer, a singer-songwriter from Stillwater, at 7 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church.
The Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber web calendar guides you to dates of these cultural and other local festivities as well as unique shopping and great places to eat morning, noon and night.
If you have never visited us for the 4th of July, a slice of Americana awaits with an old-fashioned parade, band concert on the Fish Hook River and spectacular Rotary fireworks. The 41st Annual Park Rapids PRCA Xtreme Bull Ride July 4 and 5 and PRCA Rodeo July 6 and other events add to the fun wrapped around Independence Day.
The Park Rapids area welcomes you any time. If you need help planning a memorable and affordable visit, need more information about the area or have questions, call our friendly staff at 800-247-0054 to learn more.
Click here to see the digital guide or request your own copy.