Small towns, big events

FANCY A TRIP OUT OF TOWN FOR THE DAY? CHECK OUT THESE FUN FESTIVITIES!

Sometimes big fun comes in really small packages. We think these events, all in towns of fewer than 1,400 people and all within easy driving distance of Detroit Lakes, Perham and Wadena are well worth your time.

Audubon Summer Fest: Held during the last weekend in June, Summer Fest is a family-friendly event that features live entertainment, food, arts and more. For more information, visit https://www.facebook. com/AudubonSummerFest/.

Bluffton Hometown Days: Visit Bluffton on Friday, August 16, and Saturday, August 17, for food trucks, vendors, dancing and a parade. Check out https://www.facebook. com/BlufftonHometownDays/ for more information.

for the museum’s annual Finnish festival. The event features historical demonstrations and reenactments, Finnish connections, an open mic, museum tours/information, a Finnish gift shop, a raffle, auction, area arts/crafts, and local collaborations.

Deer Trail Days, Deer Creek: Come out to Deer Creek on Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, for a parade, music, food, a local baseball, kids’ activities and much, much more. More information is available at: www.facebook.com/p/Deer-Trail-Days-Deer-CreekMN-100078752476406/.

Dent Corn Daze: A parade, classic car show and more on Saturday, August 17.

Frazee Turkey Days: Celebrating its 70th year in 2024, come to Frazee for three fun-filled days that include a community dance, a demo derby, games, street vendors and more, July 26-28. Want to learn more? Visit www. facebook.com/p/Frazee-Turkey-Days-100057176242888/.

Finn Creek Festival: Visit the Finn Creek Open Air Museum on Saturday, August 17, and Sunday, August 18,

Lund Mania, New York Mills: Come celebrate 76 years of Lund Boats being built in New York Mills. Lund Mania begins Thursday, July 11, with a 6 p.m. anglers rules meeting in the New York Mills City Hall Ballroom. The bulk of the festivities begin Friday, July 12, with the Fish House Festival on Main Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other Friday events include a fish fry, parade, street dance and more. Festivities conclude on Saturday, July 13, with a three-on-three basketball tournament and color run. For more information, visit: ottertaillakescountry. com/event/lund-mania-fishing-tournament/2024-07-11/.

Menahga Mid Summer Music Fest: Enjoy a weekend of nonstop music July 25-27. Headlining acts include Jackyl on Thursday, July 25; Night Ranger on Friday, July 26; and Skillet on Saturday, July 27. Pre-party is Wednesday, July 24.

Ottertail OtterFest: A pancake feed, parade and games, August 10 in Ottertail.

Vergas Looney Days: This year’s theme is: “Birds of a Feather Get Looney Together.” The event, which runs August 8-11 in Vergas, will feature a street fair, wiener dog races, food and more. Visit https://www.cityofvergas. com/events/vergas-looney-daze#gsc.tab=0 for more information.