August 2023
Immerse yourself in local cultures
Heartland Lakes area communities celebrate their heritage and culture on weekends
throughout August. Dip your toes in some new experiences during your stay at the lake.
Shop local like crazy during Park Rapids Crazy Days Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug.
5 with sales inside and outside participating retailers.
The evening of Friday, Aug. 4 head to the Park Rapids American Legion’s 21st annual
Backyard Bash. The backyard beer garden opens at 4 p.m. from 4:30 to 7 enjoy burgers
and brats from the grill and served with corn on the cob and chips. Other activities will
be a pie and ice cream sale, cornhole tournament and organized chaos music bingo
then dance the night away to Uptown from 8 to 11:30 p.m.
Park Rapids Legends and Logging Days events celebrate the area’s logging and
lumberjack heritage. The festivities start with water wars at 5:15 p.m. Aug. 10 on Main
Street in downtown Park Rapids. Teams sign up to battle it out for bragging rights and
possession of the coveted Loony Traveling Trophy. The Park Rapids Chamber and
Convention & Visitors Bureau will sponsor 2nd Street Stage following the competition.
The Northern Knights Car Club will host the annual Run to the Rapids Rod Run Aug. 11
and 12 at the C’mon Inn and Downtown Park Rapids. The public is invited to the Show-
N-Shine Saturday morning on Main Street.
Legends and Logging Days events continue with a smoked pork dinner fundraiser for
Northwoods Wildlife Rescue starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11 at the American Legion,
where a Loggers Breakfast will be served from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Legends
and Logging Days activities will start at 10 and continue until 5 p.m. on the 4th block of
Main Avenue in Downtown Park Rapids. The All-American Lumberjack Show will
entertain three times throughout the day. Check out grill masters, competing in
Grandma Foster’s Backyard BBQ Challenge. Other activities, including an archery
challenge, candy cannon shoot, interactive lumberjack camp, face painting, music, food
and beverage and beer garden, add to the fun. On Sunday, Aug. 13, there will be a free
concert featuring “The Whips” from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on the beach at Sleeping Fawn
Resort. Free will donations will go to CHI St. Joseph’s Hospice in memory of Ellen
Scharber.
August weekends are filled with other tantalizing events. The Park Rapids Antique
Tractor and Engine Club will host their 30th Annual Field Days Aug. 5 and 6 at the East
40 Grounds in Park Rapids. Taste of Dorset, a Minnesota food extravaganza, is planned
Aug. 6. The Pine Point Traditional Powwow offers colorful viewing Aug. 12 and 13 and
Nevis’ Northwoods Triathlon treats spectators to watch competitors swim, bike and run
for prizes Aug. 12.
Head to the 45th Annual Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers Show near the north
entrance of Itasca State Park Aug. 18-20. Wolf Lake will celebrate the 40th anniversary
of their Harvest Festival Aug. 18-and 19.
More culture is in store as the Northern Light Opera Company’s production of Little
Shop of Horrors continues through Aug. 5 at the Armory Arts & Events Center, the Noon
Hour Concert series continues Thursdays through Aug. 31 and the Art Fair at the
Winery (Forestedge) Aug. 19 and 20 featuring art, music, food and wine. 2nd Street
Stage, evenings of free live music, a beer garden and and family activities in Downtown
Park Rapids, continues Thursday Aug. 3, 10 and 17. The Nemeth Art Center, live
theater and other events add to the season’s cultural offerings.
And all this is just a sample of the activities and events planned all month long.
There’s still time to take it all in. Finding a place to stay can be as easy as a couple of
clicks on the lodging pages on our website.
If you want help or have questions, call our
friendly staff at 218-732-4111 to learn more.