Spring is knocking at our door and she’s welcome to make her grand entry. Our lakes glisten in the sun, the loons are calling and the landscape is turning green.
We’re celebrating the season this weekend at the Park Rapids Flower & Garden Home Show and Downtown Showcase at Armory Square Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. If you’re ready to spring into summer, this is the place to find what you need. And the Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations is offering free information classes on topics all anglers and lakeshore property owners will want to take in.
Spring rituals like ditch clean up are well underway. Residents and resort owners are glad for nice weather to rake and spruce up their lawns and grounds. After work and on weekends, golfers and ATV enthusiasts are hitting the links and trails. Anglers are already catching some early mornings at the end of a dock and buying their licenses for this year’s walleye-northern fishing opener May 14.
The Saturday after the Fishing Opener, the Chamber will host the Minnesota Bike Opener. Celebrate all things BIKE from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 21 at Red Bridge Park. The 2nd annual Bike Opener will feature kids games, giant trike races, bike decorating, musical entertainment and, of course, food! There will be a non-competitive, costumes-encouraged 2-, 12- or 22-mile bike ride on the Heartland Trail with snack stops along the way. Email chamber@parkrapids.com for a bike swap spot. (There is no consignment fee.) Surrounding the Bike Opener, the Park Rapids Downtown Business Association welcomes all to a Park Rapids Spring Preview to see what’s new in their stores before the summer rush. Visit downtown stores Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 20-22 and register to win an adult bicycle.
Spend the weekend and take in The Festival of Birds May 19-22 with registration at Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, too. This event draws visitors from throughout the country to the field where more than 275 species of birds have been recorded. Go to https://www.visitdetroitlakes.com/events/festival-of-birds for more. Itasca State Park is on the schedule of field visits again this year. There are workshops and exhibits, 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 again and see why fishermen and families, fun seekers and adventurers have come to explore 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 800-247-0054 to learn more.