May 2022
Promises, promises
As May begins spring seems like a promise Mother Nature has yet to keep. Our lakes are mostly covered with ice, but rivers are opening and loons, eagles, swans, geese and ducks are finding open water as they return. Snow hasn’t retreated from open areas yet either. The upside is less risk of fires before the grass turns green and the trees leaf out.
Communities in the Heartland Lakes area are keeping our promises to visitors though. Some events are returning after a long hiatus and others are in the works to offer experiences and late spring and summer fun. Local anglers are already checking their boats and gear to be ready for the-Fishing Opener Saturday, May 14. 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, northern pike and trout. The opener has become an unofficial but traditional local “holiday” along with the opening of the firearms deer season.
The Hubbard County Historical Museum and Nemeth Art Center will open the first week in May and the Park Rapids Classic Chorale and Park Rapids Area Community Band will welcome spring with concerts in May. On May 21 the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail will open with a program celebrating 14 new sculptures in Red Bridge Park and Downtown Park Rapids. The concerts and sculpture tour are a prelude to an eventful season of arts and cultural activities.
Otto Hendrickson Post 212 puts together an inspiring Memorial Day Service. The service starts at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 30 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.