May 2023
A New Season Unfolds
As May begins, windy days have removed the ice from most of our lakes, loons are
returning, pairs of swans are nesting and soon fawns will arrive. The change of seasons
remains part of what we love about living here and we invite you to share the Heartland
Lakes area and love it as much as we do.
Local anglers are already checking their boats and gear to be ready for the-Fishing
Opener Saturday, May 13. The tradition of the fishing opener in Minnesota centers
around roughly half a million anglers going fishing the day the season opens for
walleye, sauger and northern pike. The opener has become an unofficial but traditional
local “holiday” along with the opening of the firearms deer season.
Not that the north was closed for the winter, but as the lakes open, so do our seasonal
cultural venues and businesses and some new ones as well.
The Hubbard County Historical Museum and Nemeth Art Center open the first week in
May and 50 vendors will fill the Park Rapids Farmers Market when it opens May 27. On
May 20 the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail will open with a program celebrating 13 new
sculptures in Red Bridge Park and Downtown Park Rapids. These and other openings
are a prelude to an event-filled season of arts and cultural activities.
Otto Hendrickson Post 212 puts together an inspiring Memorial Day Service. The
service will start at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 29 at the Park Rapids Area High School.
Ceremonies move to the All Veterans Memorial adjacent to the Chamber Visitor Center
and it’s a good day to visit the All Veterans Memorial Museum, too.
It’s not too late to plan your summer vacation. If you haven’t visited here for awhile, we
welcome you to come back and see why anglers and families, fun seekers and
adventurers have come to catch memories of our natural areas, forests and pristine
lakes for decades.
Resorts and other lodging accommodations in the Park Rapids area provide guests a
place to stay and will help visitors realize their dream vacation, whether it’s lying on the
beach with a good book, venturing out to learn more about the local flora and fauna or
timing a stay to take in local festivals or cultural events. The Chamber website can
assist with your trip planning.
If you need help planning a memorable and affordable visit, need more information
about the area or have questions, call our friendly staff at 218-732-4111 to learn more.