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Where Beauty & Nature Intersect

September 2023 Blog

FALL, GLORIOUS FALL

The fall harvest is underway in the woods as squirrels gather acorns and shred pine
cones to lay away food for the winter, gardeners gather their produce and farm fields
yield potatoes, beans and corn. The northern landscape will soon advance into
breathtaking fall colors so take them in on a drive, bike ride or walk, ATV trail or on laps
around the lake.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ fall color finder –
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html – will help you plan your trip to see the
dramatic changes roll across the Heartland Lakes area.
Enjoy Labor Day weekend, 2 miles east of Nimrod, and enjoy bull riding, live music,
sheep riding and barrel racing, along with other town events Friday, Saturday and
Sunday. Saturday and Sunday events start at 9 a.m. with breakfast and end with live
music. Grab your cowboy hat and kids and celebrate the end of summer.
Carters’ Farm welcomes you to Fall Festival 2023 Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 23
through Oct. 29 and Friday, Oct. 20. This year’s theme for wagon ride drama and the
giant corn maze is Folklore and Fairy Tales. Enjoy an autumn day at the farm with live
musical and magic performances, autumn-themed games and activities. And pick up a
pumpkin or two, ornamentals and try delicious food from local vendors.
Itasca State Park is possibly most spectacular in the fall and offers naturalist programs,
hikes and other programs in September.
The Headwaters 100 bike ride returns Saturday, Sept. 23 welcoming hundreds of
cyclists to tour the spectacular fall colors. The ride will depart from Century School for
100-mile, 75-mile and 42-mile rides with registration from 7 to 9 a.m. The Headwaters
100 provides an opportunity to ride in a well-organized event, sponsored by the
Itascatur Outdoor Activity Club.
Art Leap, an “open studio event” featuring artists’ studios and culturally rich
destinations, will offer 30 sites serving approximately 100 artists. The event will be from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24. Hop from
studio to studio and let fall’s natural beauty inspire you as it does the artists while you
pass lakes and travel country roads. Event guides with maps, descriptions and other
information are available at the Chamber Visitor Center. And don’t miss StART Leap
with the Upper Mississippians starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 at the Armory Arts
and Events Center.
Or just head north for a stay and enjoy listening to the pine cones plopping to the
ground below, the 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 offers information on other events happening during the week
and on weekends as well as 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
218-732-4111 to learn more.

CHAMBER PARTNERS:

Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber, a Partner of Explore Minnesota Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Northwoods Bank, Partner of Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber Citizen's Bank in Park Rapids, MN Park Rapids Downtown Business Association Park Rapids Lakes Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau