Celebrate fall with Crosslake Days events

Crosslake Days will once again offer an opportunity for chili aficionados to show off their culinary talents. Residents and visitors will reap the benefits by tasting chili across town Saturday, Sept. 28, and voting for winners.

The annual Crosslake Days events ThursdaySaturday, Sept. 26-28, will usher in fall with restaurants and merchants offering specials and families finding various activities throughout town, including the infamous Search for the Lost Chili Pepper with the winner receiving prizes.

Following is a schedule of events: Thursday, Sept. 26

9 a.m.: Search for the Lost Chili Pepper. The first clue will be released on the Crosslake webpage, at member businesses and at the Crosslake Chamber Welcome Center.

• 5-8 p.m.: Northern Minnesota Railroad Heritage Association spaghetti and meatball fundraising dinner at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant.

6-8 p.m.: Loon and Lakes Trivia hosted by the Whitefish Area Property Owners Association and the National Loon Center at 14 Lakes Brewery.

• 8 p.m.: Trivia at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar. Friday, Sept. 27

• 9 a.m.: Search for the Lost Chili Pepper — the second clue will be released.

5:30-6:30 p.m.: Meat raffle with the Crosslake Police Department at the Crosslake-Fifty Lakes American Legion. Ticket sales start at 5:30 p.m. with drawings at 6:30 p.m.

• 5-8 p.m.: Live music with Mike Miller at 14 Lakes Brewery.

5-8 p.m.: Live music on the patio at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar.

• 6:30 p.m.: Meet the Masters painting event featuring Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” at Kicks the Art Place.

• 7-10 p.m.: Live music featuring Bud Roberts at Patrick’s Cedar Chest.

• 10 p.m.- close: Lakes Area’s Best DJ’s at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar.

Saturday, Sept. 28

• 8 a.m.-4 p.m.:

Crosslake Ideal Lions Vendor Faire at Crosslake Town Square.

8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Crosslake Lutheran Church Jul Fest craft and bake sale at the church.

9 a.m.: Search for the Lost Chili Pepper — the final clue will be released.

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Hand crafted arts and crafts fair with more than 65 artisans, coffee and espresso drinks, food vendors, live music, kids playground and more at The Log Church.

9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Tent sale, ghost painting, face painting at Kicks the Art Place.

• 10 a.m.-noon: Pebble Beach #7 golf simulator demonstrations at Indoor Golf.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.:

Scholastic Book Fair — find a variety of books for all ages, infant to young adult, at Crosslake Community School.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Family fun at The Log Church during the arts and crafts fair, including live music from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and a bounce house and kids activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Bungee jump, bouncy inflatables, martial art demonstrations and live music featuring From the Heart at Lake Country Crafts and Cones.

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Fifth annual Knights of Columbus Friends and Family Corn Hole Tournament at Crosslake Ace Hardware.

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Kids T-shirt decorating at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar.

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Family Fun Zone with bounce houses, music, foam party, splash zone, games, crafts, WonderTrek Children’s Museum, face painting, Babinski Foundation pet adoption event and more at Crosslake Town Square.

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Charm Bar — design your own personalized charm jewelry at Squirrelly Mama.

11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Spin the wheel to win prizes at Key Wellness.

• 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Free water testing by Finken Aqua Systems at Common Goods.

• 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Live music featuring The Rusty Crayfish Brass

Band at JAG Interior Solutions.

• Noon-until gone: Crosslake Days Chili Cook-off served at locations throughout Crosslake. Vote for your favorite by 3 p.m. using the Crosslake app.

• Noon-2 p.m.: Hat Bar — Create personalized trucker hats at Shoppe 218.

• Noon-3 p.m.: Fun at the Campground with bonfires and s’mores, water safety trinkets and meet Bobber the Water Safety Dog at the Crosslake Dam Recreation Area.

Noon-3 p.m.: Ring toss to win a kayak at Crow Wing Kayaks.

• 1-4 p.m.: Live music on the patio featuring Andy Austin at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar.

• 1:30 p.m.: Bingo at the Crosslake-Fifty Lakes American Legion.

• 2-5 p.m.: Live music featuring Mike Derus at 14 Lakes Brewery.

• 3 p.m.: Loon Calling Contest at The National Loon Center’s The Nest.

• 3-7 p.m.: Crosslake Ace Hardware street dance featuring live music by T.C. Jammers.

4:30-6 p.m.: Surf ‘N’ Turf raffle at Andy’s Bar & Grill.

• 7-9 p.m.: Cider and Candlelight Tour at the Crosslake Historical Society Museum.

• 7-10 p.m.: Live music featuring Jim ‘n’ P at Patrick’s Cedar Chest.

10 p.m.-close: Lakes Area’s Best DJ’s at Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant and Bar.