Content by Joe Brown / sports reporter Tom Cherveny / reporter Tom Elliott / sports editor Kit Grode / features editor Jennifer Kotila / reporter Michael Lyne / sports reporter Shelby Lindrud / reporter Dale Morin / reporter Macy Moore / photographer Linda Vanderwerf / reporter
EDITOR: Kelly Boldan
MAGAZINE EDITOR: Kit Grode
MAGAZINE DESIGNER: Mindy Wirtzfeld
Abaker’s dozen of artists will be participating in this year’s Studio Hop, where art lovers can meet with artists, visit their studios and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces of art in various mediums The 13 artists will showcase their creations at seven studio spaces in Willmar, Svea, New London and Spicer from 4 to 9 p m June 16, and 10 a m to 5 p m June 17
The locations and the artists at those locations follow:
DEMO INC.: Two artists — Monica Villars, multi-medium, contemporary quilts, jewelry, book arts and western paper; and Pauline Donahue, mixed media pieces Demo Inc , U S Highway 71 & Kandiyohi County 3 in Svea, south of Willmar, partially handicapped-accessible
BARN THE ATRE: Five artists — Jessalyn Canavan, ceramic; Nan Karr Kaufenberg, linoleum block with watercolors prints; Dona Larkin, oil and acrylic paintings; Elaine Hagen, paintings and photographs; John Kellen, photographs The Barn Theatre, 316 Becker Ave SW, downtown Willmar
LITTLE THE ATRE: Ana Serrano, paintings Little Theatre, 24 Central
Ave NE, New London
STUDIO 4: Two artists — Della Conroy, paintings; Phyllis Joos, printmaking, etchings, screen prints 326 Main Street South, New London STUDIO 5: Don Houseman, paintings 504 23rd Street Southeast, Willmar
STUDIO 6: Laurel Iverson, jewelry 105 Birch Street Southeast, New London STUDIO 7: Karen Kaufenberg, photographs 2373 88th Avenue Northeast, Spicer Studio Hop is managed by the Willmar Area Arts Council The council, formed in 1997 has advocated, sponsored and held various exhibits, projects and events
to build a vibrant artistic community in the region
For questions or more information, contact the Willmar Area Arts Council, 320-235-8560 or by email at willmararts@gmail com, or visit the website at www willmarareaartscouncil org
Community events are being celebrated all around the area this year Most details were not available at press time so check with their websites and social media pages for details Community celebrations over the Fourth of July are in a separate article
JUNE 7-11, RENVILLE
SUGAR BEET DAYS: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ Renvillemnsugarbeetdays/
JUNE 9-10, KANDIYOHI
KANDI IS DANDY DAYS: Street dance to take place Saturday, June 10, at 8 p m ; more information online at cityofkandiyohimn com or the Kandiyohi Community Club on Facebook at www facebook com/kandicommunityclub
JUNE 11-18, MONTEVIDEO
FIESTA DAYS: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ montevideofiestadays
JUNE 13-18, ATWATER
FESTIVAL DAYS: Go online for more information at www
atwaterfestivaldays com or on Facebook at www facebook com/Atwater-FestivalDays-1726910184238510
JUNE 14-17, PAYNESVILLE
TOWN AND COUNTRY DAYS: Go online for more information at paynesvillechamber org
JUNE 14-18, BIRD ISLAND
ISLAND DAYS: Go online for more information at www birdislandcity com or on Facebook at facebook com/IslandDays-162967003867500
JUNE 16-18, CANBY
CANBY HAT DAZE: Go online for more information at canbychamber com
JUNE 21-25, WILLMAR
WILLMAR FESTS: see separate story
JUNE 21-25, DAWSON
RIVERFEST: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ DawsonRiverfest
JUNE 22-24, GRANITE FALLS
WESTERN FEST: PRCA rodeo at Lee Mar Ranch; more information online at www granitefallsprcarodeo org or
on Facebook at www facebook com/ westernfestrodeo
JULY 1-4, SPICER
FOURTH OF JULY, see separate story
JULY 1, PRINSBURG
FOURTH OF JULY, see separate story
JULY 5-9, DANUBE
FUN DAYS: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ danubefundays
JULY 6-8, CLARA CITY
PRAIRIE FEST DAYS: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ ClaraCityPrairieFest
JULY 6-9, LITCHFIELD
WATERCADE: Go online for more information online www watercade com
JULY 6-9, BROOTEN
BONANZA VALLEY DAYS: Go online for more information at www facebook com/brooten56316
JULY 14-15, MADISON
STINKER DAY and DRAGONFEST: Go online for more information at www madisonmn info
JULY 12-16, SACRED HEART
SUMMERFEST: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ SacredHeartSummerfest
JULY 13-16, BENSON
KID DAY CELEBRATION: Go online for more information at www facebook com/BensonMNKidDay
JULY 13-16, COSMOS
SPACE FESTIVAL: Go online for more information at cosmos-mn com
JULY 17-22, NEW LONDON
WATER DAYS: Go online for more information at www newlondonwaterdays com/
JULY 24-30, OLIVIA
CORN CAPITAL DAYS: Go online for more information at corncapitaldays com or on Facebook at www facebook com/ CornCapitalDays
JULY 28-30, KERKHOVEN
TOWN AND COUNTRY DAYS: Go online for more information at www cityofkerk comor on Facebook at www facebook com/KerkhovenLionsClub
JULY 28-30, GLENWOOD
WATERAMA: Go online for more information at www waterama org
JULY 30-AUG. 6, LAKE LILLIAN
FUN DAYS: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ LakeLillianFunDays
AUG. 4-6, PENNOCK
PENNOCK FUN DAYS: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ pennockfundays
AUG. 10-12, BELGRADE
AUGUSTFEST: Go online for more information at www facebook com/ belgradeaugustfest
AUG. 13, BECHYN
CZECH HERITAGE FESTIVAL: 32nd annual festival, 10 a m to 5 p m ; call 320522-1218 for more information
AUG. 18-20, GROVE CITY
WINDMILL DAYS: Go online for more information at www grovecitymn com/ grove-city-windmill-days
AUG. 25-27, RAYMOND
RAYMOND HARVEST FEST: Go online for more information at www facebook com/Raymond125thYear
SEPT. 16-17, APPLETON
APPLEFEST: Go online for more information at the Chamber Facebook page at www facebook com/AACCMN
SEPT. 16, GRANITE FALLS
SQUID FEST/RIB FEST: Go online for more information at www prairiesquidfest com/
OCT. 7, ATWATER
OKTOBERFEST: Third annual Atwater Oktoberfest; go online for more information at www facebook com/Atwater-FestivalDays-1726910184238510/
Willmar’s 77th annual festival
Willmar Fests will be held June 21-25
A four-day city festival filled with fun for all ages, Willmar Fests was formed from four past celebrations — International Fest, Aqua Fest, Frameries Fest and Kaffee Fest
The community celebration includes a block party, royalty and ambassador coronations, story hour, tennis tournament, Stingers baseball, pancake feed, two parades and a kids carnival
The schedule is subject to change Up-to-date information will be available at willmarfests com and on the festival’s Facebook page
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21
10 a m — Coffee with the Candidates at The Goodness Coffee House
4 to 7 p m — Kiwanis Kids Day
► Food: Hotdogs, buns, chips, cookies, water, ice cream sandwiches from the Kandiyohi Dairy Association, while supplies last
► Activities: Inflatables, Willmar Fest
Royalty Princesses reading to kids and play games, clowns with balloons and face paint, bean bag toss, crafts and more
► Jolly Pops interactive band at 5 p m
► Willmar Fests Junior Royalty Coronation at 6 p m
► Kiddie Parade at 6:30 p m
6 p m — Pie and ice cream social, sponsored by Mills Automotive Group
7 p m — Prairie Winds Summer Band concert at Rice Park
THURSDAY, JUNE 22
10 a m — Royal Storytime at Miller Park
4:30 p m — Willmar Fests Block Party kickoff at Fifth Street and Becker Avenue with Q102
► Food trucks, various vendors, kids’ activities and more
► Meet the Willmar Fests queen candidates
► Home Depot kids workshop
► Bean bag toss and games
► NinjaAnywhere from 5 to 8 p m
► Dunk tank benefiting Hope for Our City starting at 5 p m
► Kids Fun Run with Miles 4 Mentors at 5:30 p m
► Willmar Fests Fitness Relay competition at 6 p m
► Fireman’s Challenge starting at 6:30 p m
► The Dam Jammers on the Block Party Stage at 6 p m
FRIDAY, JUNE 23
7:30 a m — Willmar Fests Chamber Connection at Heritage Bank
1 p m — Appreciation Day Dance at the Willmar Community Center
5 p m — Royalty Ride with BikeWillmar and Willmar Bikes to Bill Taunton Stadium
7 p m — Willmar Stingers Baseball, Baker Field at Bill Taunton Stadium
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
7 a m to 1 p m — Willmar Fire Department
Pancake Feed, Willmar Fire Station
8 a m — Foot Lake 4 Walk/Run, as part of On the Run MN
10:30 a m — Grande Day Parade, downtown Willmar
3 p m - Willmar Fests Ambassador
Coronation, Willmar Education and Arts Center
7:30 p m — The Little Crow Ski Show
8:30 p m — Beach Party Concert with Radio Nation, featuring food trucks and the Willmar Rotary Club Tavern
10 p m - Q102 Lakeland Broadcasting’s “Works Over Water” Fireworks Show, with more music with Radio Nation after fireworks
In case of rain, the ski show and fireworks may be moved to Sunday
Family-friendly events are held in several area communities on the Fourth of July, with food, parades, music and fireworks intertwined with patriotic celebrations of Independence Day Here’s a look at some of the celebrations across the region:
Located on Green Lake, the city of Spicer draws thousands of people seeking sun and fun during the Fourth of July holiday
A weekend of celebration begins with the annual street dance featuring BellaDiva beginning at 7 p m Saturday, July 1
The annual Green Lake Road Race starts from Saulsbury Beach at 7 a m Sunday, July 2 The event brings runners from around the state and has many divisions To register, go online at runsignup com/Race/MN/ Spicer/GreenLakeRoadRace
The Fourth of July celebration continues with church on the beach at 8 a m July 2
Also on Sunday morning, the Green Lake boat parade begins at 10 a m Those interested in participating are asked to line up at the old Spicer Castle location The Danny Boy from Green Lake Cruises will lead the parade around the lake
The annual Briggs Motley Treasureland Arts & Crafts Show will take place each day from 9 a m to 5 p m July 2-4
Kiddie Night starts at 4 p m Sunday, July 2 There will be a kids’ pedal pull, an adults’ pedal pull, the kiddie parade, bouncy houses, entertainment and more Wrapping up the celebrations, the Grand Parade begins at 10 a m July 4 Fireworks are at dusk over Green Lake
For additional information about Fourth of July activities, visit www explorespicer com
The Fourth of July celebration in Prinsburg will be on Saturday, July 1
This event begins with the Freedom Fun Run at 8 a m , which has a 2 5-mile running route and 1 5-mile walking route It also includes Adam’s Race for children from preschool through eighth grade The distance for that race is based on a child’s age
There is no entry fee for runners/ walkers Registration begins at 7:15 a m in front of Central Minnesota Christian School
Event sponsors donate to Central Minnesota Christian School for each person who finishes the walk or run
Online registration will be available on the school’s website beginning in June For more information about activities, go to www cmcschool org/ support/freedom-fun-run-adamsrace
There will be a freewill donation dinner from 11 a m to 1 p m at the school
The rest of the day will include a variety of entertainment, inflatables and patriotic celebrations in town, with a parade at 5 p m and fireworks at dusk
All proceeds for the day support the school
The Koronis Lake Association plans an afternoon boat parade in the afternoon and fireworks at dusk on July 1 In case of rain, the celebration will be moved to July 7
Maynard’s Fourth of July activities will kick off with the parade at 11 a m After the parade, there’s a noon dinner at the park and free entertainment in the afternoon Fireworks will go off at dusk
The event is sponsored by the Maynard Lions Club
CELEBRATING 44 YEARS 197 9 -2023
Friday, June 2nd • 7:30pm at Neer Park, New London
Friday, June 9th • 7:30pm at Neer Park, New London
Friday, June 16th • 7:30pm at Neer Park, New London
Friday, June 23th • 7:30pm at Neer Park, New London
Saturday, June 24th - Willmar Fest - 7:30pm at Robbins Island, Willmar
Friday, June 30th • 7:30pm at Neer Park, New London
Friday, July 7th • 7:30pm at Neer Park, New London
Friday, July 14th • 7:30pm at Neer Park, New London
Friday, July 21st • 7:30pm at Neer Park, New London
Saturday, July 22nd - New London Waterdays - 4pm at Neer Park, New London
Friday, July 28th • No Show • Regionals at Waterloo, IA
Friday, August 4th • 7:00pm at Neer Park, New London
Friday, August 11th • No Show
• Nationals at Warsaw, IN
Friday, August 18th • 7:00pm at Neer Park, New London
Saturday, August 19th • 1:00 pm at Sleepy Eye Lake Sleepy Eye, MN
Friday, August 25th • Grand Finale • 7:00pm Neer Park, New London
Tickets are available online at www.littlecrow.com or will be available at Neer Park in New London before the show.
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The 37th annual New London to New Brighton (NLNB) Antique Car Run will take place Saturday, Aug 12, 2023, with pre-tours in the New London area Aug 9-11
The starting gun for the Antique Car Run sounds at 7 a m Saturday, with the oldest and slowest antique cars departing first from Peace Lutheran Church in New London The cars will travel more than 120 miles through Minnesota to New Brighton
Considered one of the premiere brass-era car tours in the US, and attracting people from all over the US, Canada, England, and Australia, completing the run is a bucket list item for many, according to Bruce Van Sloun, president of the Antique Car Run 2022 Board of Directors
Par ticipation for the run is limited to pre-1908 vehicles and any one- or two-cylinder vehicles through 1915, including bikes, motorcycles, steam, and even electric-power cars Cars that participate have eight to 60 horsepower, and top speeds from 12 to 70 mph, according to Van Sloun
“This is a rolling museum of automotive history, which is brought right to the viewers at no charge,” Van Sloun said
Completing the run is quite an accomplishment, with some cars requiring oiling and maintenance every 25 miles Despite their preparations, not all cars complete the run successfully
A fierce rivalry has been cultivated over the years between Maxwell and Ford owners, with one or the other having the most entrants, but not always the most to cross the finish line, Van Sloun remarked Some rare cars that have
participated through the years include a Rolls Royce or Model K Ford, Sears and International Harvester high-wheelers, and Stanley and White steam cars Some cars have familiar names, and others more unfamiliar names, like Kenmore and Maytag
The Minnesota run commemorates the prestigious London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which takes place annually in England and is considered the granddaddy of
Annual Antique Car Run to span 120-mile route between New London and New Brighton Annual Antique Car Run to span 120-mile route between New London and New Brighton
runs It began in 1896 to celebrate the repeal of the “red flag” law
When the motorized vehicle era began in the late 1800s, automobiles, or horseless carriages, created havoc on city streets trying to mix with horse-drawn carriages
The first motorized vehicles were banned from using the road unless a man carrying a red flag walked in front of the car warning carriage drivers to hold the reins of their animals When the law was repealed, drivers celebrated the freedom it provided by jumping into their automobiles and driving “flagless” to Brighton
Beginning in 1987, the inaugural NLNB Antique Car Run was scheduled during New Brighton’s Centennial Celebration as a way to strengthen its namesake ties to Brighton, England There were 17 participants, and a visit by
the mayor of Brighton and other English guests
After departing New London Aug 12, the Antique Car Run will travel through six rest stops before ending in New Brighton at Long Lake Regional Park, 1500 Old Hwy 8 N W The finish line is open from 3 to 6:30 p m
The Antique Car Run is one of the key attractions of New Brighton’s Stockyard Days festival
Approximate times for arrival at rest stops: Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City, 8:15 a m ; Central Park in Litchfield, 9:15 a m ; Main Street in Kingston, 10:30 a m ; American Legion in Buffalo, 11:45 a m and stay until 1 p m ; Crystal Community Center in Crystal, 2:30 p m, ending at Long Lake Regional Park
There are plenty of opportunities to participate in activities in the days preceding the big
run, as well Plans include:
► Wednesday, Aug 9: ride to Brut Worm Farms in Brooten from Peace Lutheran Church in New London and then to Max Bats Par ticipants will tour the farm that produces worm castings and worm tea followed by the custom wood bat manufacturer Lunch will be at the Brooten Pavilion The evening get together will be at Neer Park in New London, serving up a steak fry with all the fixings
► Thursday, Aug 10: ride to Willmar for the Kandiyohi County Fair That evening, the drivers’
meeting will take place back at Peace Lutheran Church, where participants will have a chance to meet with volunteer tow drivers and exchange information
► Friday, Aug 11: a 36-mile warm-up scenic tour around Nest and Green Lakes in the New London area will take place after the morning brunch and drivers’ meeting Cars will be parked at the American Legion after the tour for public viewing
For more information or to register for the run, visit antiquecarrun org, where there is also a list of people to contact
Some other area events over the summer include:
CURD FEST
Redhead Creamery’s fifth annual event celebrating all things cheese curd will take place from 11 a m to 6 p m June 17 at Jer-Lindy Farms, north of Brooten
There will be live music, and visitors will be able to buy food and drink from local breweries, food trucks and wineries while treating themselves to selfguided dairy farm tours Tickets are $12 in advance online, or $15 at the door Children 11 and under are free
For more information, visit the
website at www redheadcreamery com or on Facebook at www facebook com/RedheadCreamery
QUILT AUCTION
The 38th annual Green Lake Lutheran Ministries quilt auction will be July 21-22 at the Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer
There will be a quilt review from 3 to 8 p m Friday and again from 9 to 11 a m Saturday There will be two groups of quilts to bid
The first group will be auctioned off live with bidding in person beginning at noon on Saturday and online bidding beforehand The second group will be auctioned off online only starting on July 16, and the bidding will close
at 5 p m
July 22 There will be silent auction items available for bidding in person and online beginning July 17 It will close at 4 p m July 22
For more information or to place your bid, go online at www gllm org/ quilt-auction or visit the Facebook page at www facebook com/ GreenLakeLutheranMinistries
Plans are being made for Minnesota Farmfest 2023 on Aug 1-3 at the Gilfillan Estate, southeast of Redwood Falls Advance tickets for the event are $8, and available online at www ideaggroup com/farmfest Tickets purchased at the gate are $10, and those 17 and under are free
Farmfest is designed to bring together farmers to network, experience and learn how to grow their farming operations
For more information and additional event, follow the FarmFest Facebook at www facebook com/MNfarmfest
The Upper Sioux Community Wacipi will host a traditional Wacipi Aug 4-6 in Granite Falls
The event opens with the grand entry on Friday at 7 p m
Free camping is available at the Wacipi grounds For hotel rooms or RV park reservations, visitors should call Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort at 1-866-293-2121 There will be no drugs or alcohol, no weapons or firearms (including conceal and carry), no pets, no bicycles and no violence of any kind on premises
For more information or to register, visit the Facebook page at www facebook com/ USCWACIPI
This free self-guided tour of artist studios featuring 40 local artists from the Upper Minnesota River Valley will be Sept 29-Oct 1 It includes more than 30 individual studios in and near the western Minnesota communities of Ortonville, Appleton, Madison, Milan, Dawson, Montevideo and Granite Falls
For more information, including artist bios, visit artsmeander com and on Facebook at www facebook com/ MeanderArtCrawl
The church will have its annual service at 11 a m Sunday, June 25 A freewill donation and catered meal will follow the service he public is invited to attend the service or more information about the church’s history, visit its Facebook page at www facebook com/ vikormemorialassociation
The church will have its annual celebration at 1 p m Sunday, Aug 20 Coffee and lefse will follow the service The public is invited to attend the service
Vesper services are held in the Old Log Church on Saturday evenings in June, July and August
For more information about the church and its history, visit www nllha org
After securing a second-place finish at the 2022 Midwest Regional Show Ski Championships and helping set a couple strap doubles line Guinness world records, the Little Crow Ski Team is back and ready to provide more entertainment to shoreside crowds in west central Minnesota this summer
Starting on Friday, June 2, at Neer Park in New London, the Little Crow Ski Team will show off a plethora of skills on a weekly basis There will be ballet and barefoot skiing, pyramid building, jumping and more on the Middle Fork of the Crow River in New London
The Little Crow Ski Team, which started in 1979, attracts anywhere from 500 to 4,500 people per show The team includes about 50 skiers of all ages and another
50 volunteers who drive the tow boats, organize three miles of ropes and sell concessions on show nights at Neer Park
On Aug 12, 2022, the Little Crow
Ski Team participated at the Indmar Marine Engines Show Ski National Championships and placed third in the nation in the team jump
On Sept 17, the team’s very own Joelle Haala and Kevin Felien helped set a Guinness world record for the largest couple strap doubles line at 27 couples in Mosinee, Wisconsin
The team performs nearly every Friday evening from June through August at Neer Park, 313 2nd Ave SE in New London Additional shows include a Willmar Fests appearance at 7:30 p m June 24 at Robbins Island and another at 2 p m August 19 at Sleepy Eye Lake in Sleepy Eye
The home shows will be June 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30; July 5, 7, 14, 21, 22; and August 4, 8, 25 Shows begin at 7:30 p m in June and July and 7 p m in August
Updated information on the Little Crow Ski Team can be found at www littlecrow com or the Little Crow Ski Team Facebook page
Admission for home shows is $3 for students and $5 for adults Preschool children get in free There is also reserved seating available for $8 at www littlecrow com Season passes are also
available for $35 for adults and $20 for students
Neer Park has bleacher seating, but those seats are often full about 45 minutes before show time, especially
in July and August Hillside seating is also available; bring a blanket or lawn chair Parking is located outside of Neer Park A limited number of handicap
parking spaces are available in the park A deck is provided for those in wheelchairs to view the show
JUNE
Friday, June 2, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
Friday, June 9, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
Friday, June 16, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
Friday, June 23, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
Saturday, June 24, 7:30 p m at Robbins Island
Friday, June 30, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
JULY
Wednesday, July 5, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
Friday, July 7, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
Friday, July 14, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
Friday, July 21, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
Saturday, July 22, 7:30 p m at Neer Park
AUGUST
Friday, Aug 4, 7 p m at Neer Park
Tuesday, Aug 8, 7 p m at Neer Park
Saturday, Aug 19, 2 p m at Sleepy Eye Lake
Friday, Aug 25, 7 p m at Neer Park
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students For more information, visit www littlecrow com
For four Tuesday evenings in July and August, Robbins Island Regional Park in Willmar will be the place to be for live music, food and fun
The Willmar Rotary Club is holding the seventh annual Rockin’ Robbins outdoor concert series, a fundraiser for continued improvements at the park In addition to the music, the event includes free kids activities, food trucks and vendors, a beer and wine tent, local craft market and a free shuttle from three convenient park and ride locations
The concerts will take place in Robbins Island Regional Park in Willmar from 5 to 9 p m The opening act starts at 5 p m and the headliner starts at 6:30 Bring your own lawn chair
JULY 11
The opening act is Radio Acoustic, followed by headliner Collective Unconscious
Collective Unconscious has been together for more than 20 years and plays both covers of classic rock such as the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel
and the Beach Boys, along with their own original tunes
The band is from central Minnesota
JULY 18
Free and Easy will entertain the crowd with its funky music, covering such groups and singers as Stevie Wonder, Santana, Pharrell Willliams, John Legend and Justin Timberlake Music fans from multiple generations should enjoy the varied show The group was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame back in 2008
The opening act is Pirates, Guitars and Beachfront Bar
JULY 25
The Crown Jewels will play a tribute show to the great rock band Queen Based in Minneapolis, the band is made up of veterans from the music industry who all have a love for Queen They’ve toured both nationally and internationally
The opening act is 1060 West Addison
AUG. 1
Since the first Rockin’ Robbins in 2016, the band Fabulous Armadillos have closed out the season They will do so again in 2023, bringing the eight-piece band to Robbins Island They play music from all genres including country, rock, motown and heavy metal
The final show will be opened by Ryan Van Slooten
At Robbins Island Regional Park, visitors will have the opportunity to use several new park shelters while enjoying other upgrades the city of Willmar has made over the last several years A new four-season shelter opened in 2020, and improvements to the roadway and parking lots were completed in 2021 The enhancements provide more ways for fun, relaxation and recreation at the 55-acre park
The park is located between Willmar and Foot lakes on the north side of Willmar,
The park includes one of the largest playgrounds in the state, and is also home to a natural trail, swimming beach, disc golf course and more
The Destination Playground provides fully-accessible fun for children of all ages Children are able to run and play through different themed areas, including a castle, train and farm, as well as zipline and a spider bouncer With different types of slides, swings and climbing apparatuses, the 19,000-square-foot
playground is the largest fully accessible playground in the state, with special playground equipment specifically for children with disabilities
The project was funded through private donations, constructed by community members and opened to the public in June 2017
The Robbins Island shelters are available for rent throughout the year
The four-season shelter can be rented for $140
Open Shelter #1, Guri Endersen, and Hilltop can each be rented for $120
Open Shelter # 2 is available for $40
A refundable damage deposit of $100 will be added to all rentals To reserve a shelter, call 231-8490 or download the rental form on the city website
DISC GOLF COURSE
Redesigned in 2018, Robbins Island Disc Golf course has 18 holes and travels through Robbins Island and Hedin Park Disc golfers navigate around trees, hills and lake water
A downloadable map of the course can be found online at willmarmn gov/parks_ and_trails/disc_golf_ course
ROCKIN’ ROBBINS
This annual free outdoor concert series is sponsored by the Willmar Rotary Club to raise money for Robbins Island improvements Each event includes a free concert, food vendors, beer/wine tent, kids’ activities and an artisan market
Concerts take place at Robbins Island from 5 to 9 p m on Tuesdays
July 11 (Collective Unconscious), July 18 (Free and Easy), July 25 (The Crown Jewels: A Tribute to Queen) and Aug 1 ( The Fabulous Armadillos)
Back in the 1960s, Kandiyohi County Historical Society member John Larson began the Historic Sites Project Over the years, the society would place first wood and then castaluminum signs to mark significant historic sites and events across Kandiyohi County Today, there are approximately 50 markers covering both the U S -Dakota War of 1862 and other events and sites of historic interest
The book “Historic Sites of Kandiyohi County,” which gives locations and information about the sites, can be purchased at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society A visitor can learn a lot about the county’s history while enjoying the scenery by taking a summer drive to the various sites Many are located near lakes and towns, while some will take visitors into rural Kandiyohi County
Located 1/4 mile off Highway 71/23 in Willmar on 26th Avenue Northeast is a plaque commemorating the disastrous grasshopper plague of 1876 The insects, Rocky Mountain locusts, swept through the county,
destroying practically all the crops, grass and foliage The disaster made many farmers destitute and both the state and county made monetary relief available to the farmers The marker is placed on what used to be the Willmar farm, owned by the namesake family of the city
Not far from the grasshopper site, about 1/2 mile further down 26th Avenue Northeast, is the marker for the Solomon Foot Cabin Solomon Foot, a Civil War veteran, is known as one of the first pioneers in the Willmar area Both Foot and Solomon lakes are named after him
Another famous cabin is the Endreson Cabin, one of the county’s oldest buildings still located on its original site The cabin is on the National Register of Historic Places and has links to the 1862 US Dakota War Members of the Endreson family were either killed or taken captive by Sioux warriors The cabin and its marker are located at 3669 67th Avenue Northwest, near West Solomon Lake
There are many other military and U S -Dakota War locations commemorated by historic markers There is the site of a military post, now located at the DNR Boat Landing of West Norway Lake; Little Crow’s Camp near Spicer on 140th Avenue; and the site of a 1863 skirmish between the Sioux and the Army located on County Road 8,
Kandiyohi County offers more than 40 historical sites worth visiting
about three miles north of Lake Lillian
The county’s earliest inhabitants left behind a series of burial mounds on the east side of Green Lake Most have been worn down by weather, cultivation and construction, but a few are still visible in backyards, farmyards and near County Park 5 The marker is four miles east of Spicer on County Road 10, then 2½ miles north on County Road 4
There are also various sites having to do with other historic events across the county There are two markers for blizzards The 1872 marker is located on County Road 10, east of Spicer, just before the intersection with County Road 2 The 1873 marker
is placed on County Road 80 west, northwest of Blomkest, near where the O’Neill brothers and Thomas Holdan died A great train wreck west of Atwater on June 23, 1882, took the lives of 13 men and injured 19 The train, a construction unit, derailed in Summit Lake A mass grave for the unclaimed bodies of the victims is in Fairview Cemetery in
Willmar A marker is at the site of the wreck, three miles west of Atwater on Highway 12 and one-half mile south on County Road 4
There are also markers for the first home, first
church and for several towns and settlements that no longer exist The book from the Kandiyohi County Historical Society gives directions and locations for all the markers
The Glacial Ridge Trail, first designated a state trail in May 1969, may not be the fastest way to travel to Glenwood from Willmar — but it is a much more scenic alternative
Signs direct you along the Minnesota Scenic Byway through the rolling slopes to Spicer, around Green Lake into the Lost Valley area and to scenic New London and Sibley State Park
From the park, it takes you north to the Timber Lake Trail on through the hills, swamps and lakes of Norway Lake Township North from Sunburg, you drive past the Ordway Prairie and can stop at the Lake Johanna Lookout to survey the rolling kames and native prairie countryside There’s also the Terrace Mill and Glacial Lakes State Park along the way, as well as scenic views of Lake Minnewaska
The Glacial Ridge Trail consists of more than 200 miles of designated highways that wind through towns, past historic sites and near at least one famous author’s home — Sinclair Lewis
But what’s most apparent to people who travel this scenic route is its distinctive landscape
Thousands of feet of glacial ice covered west central Minnesota 10,000 years ago When the last Ice Age ended, the glacier receded, leaving behind lakes, waterways, sand beds and gravel ridges Some of the best of those features can be seen on the roads of the trail, which are marked with signs bearing an arrowhead symbol
Available maps make the roads
easier to follow, and show the locations of several points of interest, such as prime bird-watching areas, which have been added
Willmar, the southernmost point of the trail, marks the dividing line where the glacier ended To the south is flat farmland; to the north, a mixture of prairie, lakes and rolling hills left behind when the glacier receded
The so-called “Bonanza Valley” around Belgrade and Brooten is a broad sand plain that was deposited as glacial meltwater flowed north and east The Crow and Chippewa rivers developed to carry the water away
From Fort Lake Johanna, a former military outpost, there’s a view of a series of conical hills, known as kames, formed by glacial potholes filled with rock and gravel
After passing through Glenwood and Starbuck and making a detour east to Sauk Centre, the trail ends at its northernmost point — Alexandria
There are plenty of signs, so it’s tough to get lost Still, it’s good to have a brochure with you, because the trail makes several loops
Maps are available from the Kandiyohi County Tourist Information Center on East Highway 12 in Willmar and at the Glenwood Chamber of Commerce, 200 N Franklin St
Here are some highlights to look for on the Glacial Ridge Trail:
► Lost Valley, which is particularly scenic in the fall, at the trail’s easternmost end, winds up and down hills through a hardwood forest
► Ordway Prairie between Sunburg and Glenwood
► Terrace Mill is a restored grain mill in the town of Terrace, set in the valley of the Chippewa River The mill hosts several festivals during the summer and fall
► A collection of old threshing machines is on the “boot hills” above “Threshing Rig Alley,” a two-mile section of road north of Sunburg
► Sauk Centre is the site of the Sinclair Lewis Home and Museum Lewis’ novels include “Main Street” and “Babbitt ”
► Attractions in Glenwood include the Bickle House, Morning
Glory Gardens and Mount Lookout
► Four state parks lie along the trail: Sibley State Park, west of New London; Monson Lake State Park, south of Sunburg; Glacial Lake State Park, south of Starbuck; and Carlos State Park, north of Alexandria
Good spots for bird watching are the area between New London and Sibley State Park; Eagle Lake, north of Willmar; Timber Lake Road, east of Sunburg; and the Ordway Prairie and Fort Lake
Johanna area
Paddling enthusiasts call the waters of west central Minnesota the “Boundary Waters of Southern Minnesota” — and for good reason The rivers and streams of the region offer plenty of opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy a wilderness-like solitude
And, they are easyto-reach and offer a wide variety of paddling adventures
Maps are available from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — and online at its website — detailing the river routes on the Minnesota River, Little Crow River and portions of the Chippewa and Pomme de Terre rivers
Paddling enthusiasts
Lynn and Robert Diebel have also published a popular guidebook, “Paddling Southern
Minnesota’’ (2007, Trail Press of Madison, Wis ) It offers narrative accounts of possible routes, put-in locations and maps
Here’s your abbreviated guide to some of the best:
An easy afternoon paddle starts in New London and leads to the sparkling waters of Nest Lake The scenic Mill Pond in New London is the perfect launching point for this fun and easy paddle
There are more than 330 miles of waterway to explore, starting at Big Stone Lake and reaching the Mississippi River at Fort Snelling
Of course, there’s ample opportunity to make twoor three-hour excursions to
discover short but exciting segments of the river The Minnesota River meanders through an oversized valley carved by the Glacial River Warren The glacial waterway carved a path some 200 feet deep and two miles wide It offers the modern explorer scenic vistas of wooded blufflands, towering granite outcrops and tree-lined shore lines
There is no portion of the river lacking scenery, but arguably the most scenic portion of the river runs from the Upper Sioux Agency State Park south of Granite Falls to Redwood Falls This portion of the river offers some of the most dramatic examples of the granite outcrops
Officially designated as a state canoe route,
the Chippewa River offers gentle paddling during normal water conditions and surprising scenery of islands, woodlands and steep bluffs The best paddling is found above the Watson Lion’s Park Starting points for adventure include Ambush Park in the city of Benson, Big Bend and the Lentz Landing at the Minnesota Highway 40 bridge east of Milan
The Lac qui Parle River offers an opportunity to surprise an incredible array of wildlife, from eagles and owls to softshell turtles the size of wheel covers The river’s sharp bends, towering cut banks and occasional whitewater makes every outing an adventure The most
popular route is an approximate three-hour paddle from Lac qui Parle County Park to Lac qui Parle State Park near the confluence with the Minnesota River
The fast-moving Pomme de Terre offers opportunities to surprise otters and an astonishing variety of birds, while viewing the changing prairie and woodland landscape The Pomme de Terre also offers some of the area’s best angling opportunities for walleye Popular trips include runs from the Swift County Park on U S Highway 12 north of Appleton to the city of Appleton, and from Appleton to Marsh Lake
When water conditions are right, Hawk Creek and the Yellow Medicine River offer some of the state’s very best whitewater paddling opportunities Each spring, the two waterways attract whitewater enthusiasts from around the state
On both waterways, be prepared to be on your own There are very few intersecting bridges or signs of civilization as the waters race toward the Minnesota River
Trips on Hawk Creek often start near or upstream of U S Highway 212 and continue to Renville County’s Skalbakken Park at the confluence with the Minnesota River
Trips on the Yellow Medicine River often start at the Minnesota Highway 274 (Wood Lake Road) bridge and continue to the confluence with the Minnesota River at the Upper Sioux Agency State Park
It’s advisable to scout out water conditions before attempting a trip, or contact Clean Up the River Environment at 320-269-2984 for information on water levels
Real-time data on water flows on Hawk Creek are also available online at www dnr state mn us/waters/csg/ index
It gets its start in Pope County,
but the North Fork of the Little Crow River is best for canoeing as it leaves the Lake Koronis Spillway near Paynesville There are rapids and hidden snags to watch for, but much of the river is well-suited for family canoeing
The Willmar Stingers have been a fixture on the local scene for 14 seasons, bringing Northwoods League baseball to the community as well as unique, fun promotions every home game
The league, which features college players from across the country, stretches from Michigan to Thunder Bay, Ontario, to western North Dakota with the addition of this year’s expansion team, the Minot Hot Tots Hundreds of the league’s players end up playing pro ball, with several hundred making Major League Baseball since the Northwoods began in 1994
Willmar’s team plays at Bill Taunton Stadium and features plenty of fun not just every night, but virtually every inning with promotions, gimmicks and giveaways
This season’s home opener is Wednesday, May
31, against the Eau Claire Express, and features postgame fireworks
For ticket information, call 320-222-2010 or visit northwoodsleague com/ willmar-stingers
Wednesday, May 31 — Home Opener, presented by J D Kreps Financial Group with post-game fireworks
Tuesday, June 6 — Stingers Baseball Cap Night, presented by Heritage Bank and Pioneer Heritage Insurance (limited to first 300 fans)
Wednesday, June 7 — Hawaiian Night
Thursday, June 8 — Summer
St Patty’s Night Everything will be green
Monday, June 12 — Dunder Mifflin Night
Thursday, June 15 — Miles for Mentors Night, presented by Kandi Dental, Southwest Initative Foundation and Bernick’s This promotion will also include a pregame kids fun run
Friday, June 16 — Bluejay Nation Night, presented by the Central Minnesota Christian School
Saturday, June 17 — Former Stingers pitcher Varland Jersey Night, presented by Cash Wise Foods Fans will pick either Minnesota Twin Louie Varland or his brother, Milwaukee Brewer Gus Varland (limited to first 200 kids)
Sunday, June 18 — Father’s Day The first 250 fans ages 21+ will receive a Green Mill gift card, and attendees are invited to play “catch” with dad on the field before the game at 4 p m
Friday, June 23 — Willmar Fests and Habitat for Humanity Night, presented by Remodeling Solutions
Monday, June 26 — KerkovenMurdock-Sunburg Marching Band Night, presented by Bernick’s Tuesday, June 27 — Renville County West Jaguar Night, presented by Bernick’s
Wednesday, June 28 — ‘90s Night, featuring hit sitcoms from the era
Thursday, June 29 — Barry T-Shirt Giveaway Night, presented by Project Turnabout (limited to
first 150 kids)
Thursday, July 6 — Find Bigfoot at the Ballpark Night
Friday, July 7 — Youth Baseball and Softball Night, presented by Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway
Monday, July 10 — Community All-Stars, presented by Coordinated Business Systems
Wednesday, July 12 — Kandiyohi Power Cooperative Night
Thursday, July 13 (1:05 p.m.)
Kids Day Game, presented by United Way of Willmar Area Community Foundation
Thursday, July 13 (7:05 p.m.) — T-Shirt Night, presented by Rambow (limited to first 250 adults)
Friday, July 14 — ‘80s Night
Saturday, July 15 — Christmas in July, featuring post-game fireworks
Sunday, July 16 — Faith and Family Night, presented by Living Word
Tuesday, July 18 — Barry Tractor Bobblehead, presented by Kandiyohi County Corn and Soybean Growers Association (limited to first 250 fans)
Willmar Stingers offer plenty of family fun at Bill Taunton Stadium
Wednesday, July 19 — Gift Card Night, presented by Ruff’s (limited to first 250 fans ages 21+)
Saturday, July 22 — Veterans Appreciation Night, presented by Donnelly Truck Service
Sunday, July 23 — Classic Car Show Night, presented by Country Stop and A&W-New London The car show and live music starts at 2:30 p m , and a vendor market begins at 4
Monday, July 24 — Kids’ Nickelodeon Night, presented by the Green Mill Kids admitted free
Saturday, July 29 — CentraCare Night, featuring post-game fireworks
Sunday, July 30 — Community Christian School Night, presented by Woody’s Trucking
Monday, August 7 —Team Trading Card Set
Night, presented by Speedy Print of Willmar
Tuesday, August 8 — Former Stingers infielder and Twins top prospect Brooks Lee Bobblehead Night, presented by Schweiters Chevrolet of Willmar
Wednesday, August 9 — 2023 Team Poster Night, presented by Speedy Print of Willmar
Thursday, August 10 — National S’mores and Fan Appreciation Night, featuring post-game fireworks
Follow the Stingers at the stadium, in the West Central Tribune and online at wctrib com or epaper wctrib com For additional information, visit northwoodsleague com/willmarstingers
1. Two Pancakes or
142 Lake Ave N, Spicer, MN 56288 | 320.796.5355
The Barn Theatre’s summer season will be full of music, magic, mystery and humor with three shows to delight theater fans of all ages
The season will start with a production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical ”
Based on the 1988 novel of the same name, the show follows Matilda, a super smart girl who just happens to have special powers, as she tries to rise above unloving parents and a cruel headmistress to find a loving home of her own Shows are scheduled for 7 p m June 8-10, 15-17 and 22-24, and at 2 p m June 11, 18 and 25 Tickets go on sale May 17
“Who’s in Bed With the Butler,” a comedy-mystery surrounding the last requests of a billionaire and the romantic entanglements of the butler, will take the stage at 7 p m Aug 3-5 and 10-12, and 2 p m Aug 6 and 13
Tickets go on sale July 12
In September, audiences will be able to laugh along as four residents of the Magnolia Place Assisted Living try to solve the mystery of the new nurse in “Four Old Broads ” Showtimes are 7 p m Sep 21-23 and 28-30, as well as 2 p m Sep 24 and
Oct 1 Tickets go on sale Aug 30
Founded in 1965 in a former horse barn, The Barn Theatre has been offering community theater to local audiences for more than 50 years Located in the Cardinal Square building in downtown Willmar, it has theater seating for 220 Amenities include handicapped-accessible parking, handrails on aisle seats and hearing-assist devices
The mission of The Barn Theatre
is “to provide affordable, quality performing art to the community ” The Barn promotes community involvement, affords opportunities for personal growth for its volunteers, displays and develops talent, and provides leadership for the fine arts For more information, contact The Barn at 320-235-9500; 321 Fourth St S W , downtown Willmar; visit the website at thebarntheatre com or find The Barn Theatre on Facebook
Three performances scheduled for summer season
Kerkhoven: 3 to 5:30 p m Tuesdays, July through August, Pillsbury Park shelter
Glenwood: 4 to 6 p m Tuesdays, parking lot south of Pope County Museum on State Highway 104
Willmar: 11 to 5 p m Wednesdays, June 14 through October, Uptown Willmar parking lot, next to Aldi’s
Bird Island: 4 to 7 p m Wednesdays, May 31-Aug 30, north side of city park on Dogwood Avenue between Main and Sixth Street
Litchfield: 2 to 5:30 p m Wednesdays, May 18-Oct 28, Community Market on Fourth Street on the north side of Central Park
Benson: 3 to 5:30 p m , Thursdays, mid-June through midOctober, Railroad Park on Main Street
Montevideo: 3:30 to 6:30 p m , Thursdays, June 23-Oct 26, Smith Park, across from City Hall
Willmar: 7:30 a m to noon Saturdays, June 17 through midOctober, Uptown Willmar parking lot, next to Aldi’s
Willmar: 8 a m to noon Saturdays, June to October, Robbins Island Regional Park
New London: 8 a m to noon Saturdays, June 10 through Oct 14, Holm Park No market July 22
Montevideo: 8 a m to noon, Saturdays, June 25-Oct 28, Smith Park, across from City Hall
Glenwood: 8:30 to 11:30 a m , Saturdays, parking lot south of Pope County Museum on State Highway 104
Paynesville: 9 a m to noon, Saturdays, May 20-Oct 14, corner of James Street and Augusta Avenue, downtown
Bicycling provides a great way to see all the trails and stops Willmar has to offer, if you don’t wish to walk No need to worry, as the city of Willmar recently launched a bike share program that rents 40 bikes at 11 docking stations, beginning in late spring through Labor Day
Bikes are available to rent through the Koloni app on a mobile device For $1 an hour, riders can rent a bike to ride to work, do errands or take a leisurely bike ride around town Riders can also purchase a season membership for $20 The bike-share season runs from May to October, weather permitting
Once you have a bike, Willmar offers miles of marked road routes and dedicated bike trails Some even connect to larger trail systems like Glacial Lakes
The BikeWillmar group — along with Willmar and Kandiyohi County Public
Works — has created new, marked bike routes across the city The first two completed routes are the Green Norway Pine and Brown Turkey, located on the northwest side of the city Several more marked routes are planned More information on biking events can be found on Facebook at facebook com/BikeWillmar
The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota has named Willmar a Bicycle Friendly Community due its advocacy of biking and a vision to create bike connections throughout the city and the surrounding area
Established in 2010, Willmar Walks comprises three marked routes through downtown Willmar Walkers get the opportunity to see 18 points of interest on the designated routes including historical sites such as Bethel Church, the Frost House, the Tribune/ Engan building and 310 Third Street Southwest, the oldest commercial building in town
Each of the three routes start at Selvig International Park, which is dedicated to Willmar’s two sister cities A banner at Selvig Park shows the Willmar Walks routes and where the points of interest are located Brochures on Willmar Walks are also available at the Willmar Public Library, LuLu Beans and Rick’s Cycling & Sports Center
The Red route is one mile long It heads west for one block on Becker Avenue, then south on Fifth Street to Minnesota Avenue, then west
two blocks to Seventh Street, north to Becker Avenue, then jogs east and north to Litchfield Avenue and south back to Selvig Park
The Green route, which is one and a half miles long, follows the Red route to Seventh Street, then south to Kandiyohi Avenue, east to Second Street, then jogs north to Becker and west to Selvig Park
The Blue route is the longest, at two miles It also follows Red and Green to Seventh Street, then heads north to Ella Avenue along Foot Lake, allowing walkers to head to the Glacial Lakes State trail before continuing to First Street The trail turns south to Litchfield Avenue At Litchfield, the route heads west for three blocks, then south one block to Selvig Park
Willmar Walks is a joint effort between Rice Memorial Hospital, Kandiyohi County Public Health, Willmar Design Center, Willmar Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kandiyohi County Historical Society
Don’t hesitate to get out and about with friends this summer Sign up for a race — or walk — and invite a friend or two
MAY 27
WILLMAR — Memorial Day/Law Day
5K Run/Walk, hosted by Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA Registration opens at 7:30 a m , $40 same-day registration Start time 9 a m Website: www kandiymca org/events/memorial-day-law-day-5krunwalk Contact: 320-222-9622 Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
JUNE 10
RENVILLE — Running to a Sweet Beet 5K, sponsored by Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative Registration opens at 6:45 a m , start time 8 a m $25 registration before May 31, $30 sameday registration Website: runsignup com/ Race/MN/Renville/sweetbeet5k Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
JUNE 10
GLENWOOD — GRHS 5K Scrub
Run/Walk; 5K run and walk along Lake Minnewaska Registration $25, $20 for 15 and under; same-day registration begins at 7:45 a m Start time is 9 a m Website:
www runreg com/grhs-5k-scrub-run
JUNE 15
MARSHALL — Run/Walk for Memories; 5K run, Red Baron Arena & Expo Early-bird registration $25; registration increases to $35 June 1 Start time 4 p m for walk; 6 p m for 5K Website: runsignup
com/Race/MN/Marshall/RunforMemories
JUNE 17
HUTCHINSON — Habitat Hustle; 5k run Registration $35 Start time 8 a m Registration ends June 10 Website: runsignup com/Race/Info/MN/Hutchinson/ HabitatHustle
There are road races, walks and triathlons aplenty this summer
JUNE 17
HUTCHINSON — Habitat Hustle Kids K, open to ages 4-11 Registration $15 Start time 9:30 a m
Registration ends June 10 Website: runsignup com/ Race/Info/MN/Hutchinson/HabitatHustle
JUNE 24
WILLMAR — Foot Lake 4; four-mile run, free Website: runsignup com/Race/MN/Willmar/ FootLake4 Contact: 320-894-5882 Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
JUNE 24
GRANITE FALLS — Rodeo Run and Western Fest Walk, sponsored by Avera & Big Stone Therapies Registration is $15, adults 5K; $10 kids 2K, ages 7-12; $10 kids 1K, ages 6 and under Start times are 9 a m for kids races, 9:30 a m for adults
5K Website: www granitefallsprcarodeo org/ western-fest-schedule
JUNE 26
ST CLOUD — Granite City 5K/1K, 12th Ave S near Lake George Registration is $35 for 5K, $15 for 1K; same-day registration begins at 7 a m Start time 8 a m for 5K, 9 a m for 1K Website: www stcloudgranitecitydays com/gcd-5k1k-run
JUNE 30
STARBUCK — Starbuck Heritage Days Miss Minnewaska Fun Run, Lake Minnewaska Registration is $20 for individuals, same-day registration begins 8:30 a m Start time 9 a m Website: starbuckmn org/ event/fun-run
JULY 1
STARBUCK — Starbuck Heritage Days 5K Color Run, Starbuck Lakeshore Park Registration is $20 for individuals, same-day registration begins 7:30 a m Start time 8:30 a m Website: starbuckmn org/ event/5k-color-run
JULY 2
SPICER — Green Lake Road Race; 12-mile run around Green Lake Registration $45 registration for individuals, $35 for two-person relay teams and $30 for four-person relay teams until May 31; registration increases to $55 for individuals and $45 for relay teams
June 1 Start time is 7 a m Contact Dan at danh@ ontherunpromo com or go online to runsignup com/ greenlakeroadrace for more information
Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
JULY 8
LITCHFIELD — Watercade Lake Ripley Run, Lake Ripley Memorial Park state Highway 22 South Contact Julie Dengerud at watercadewebsite@hotmail com or visit www watercade com/lakeripley-walk for more information
JULY 15
RICHMOND — River Lake Days Run; River Lakes Civic Center, 310 Central Ave S Pre-registration prices are 10K Run, $30; 5K Run/Walk, $25; and Kids Fun Run, $15; prices increase June 1 to 10K Run, $35; 5K Run/Walk, $30; and Kids Fun Run, $20 Start time 8 a m for 10K, 8:10 a m for 5K and Kids 1K at 9:30 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/MN/Richmond/ RiverLakeDaysRun
JULY 22
NEW LONDON — Mill Pond Mile; one-mile fun run around the Mill Pond Registration $10; price increases to $15 after July 7 Start time 8:15 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/Events/MN/ NewLondon/MillPondMile
JULY 22
ALEXANDRIA — Alexandria Triathlon; Lake Brophy County Park, 1900 Brophy Park Road NW Registration $70 for individuals, $130 for relay team; $15 for kids splash and dash Prices increase after May 22 Website: www trisignup com/Race/MN/Alexandria/ alexandriatriathlon
JULY 29
KERKHOVEN — Pillsbury Push; 5K run/ walk and 10K run, 301 6th St, Pillsbury Park, Kerkhoven Registration is $25 for the 5K and 10K through May 30; prices increase to $30 starting May 31 Preregistration closes July 27 at 8 p m ; same-day registration opens at 7 a m Start time is 8 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/MN/Kerkhoven/PillsburyPush Contact 320-424-1827 Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series (10K only)
JULY 29
GLENWOOD — Glenwood Waterama Road Races; 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk and Magic Mile Registration is $35 for 5K and 10K, and $15 for Magic Mile, through June 30 Registration increases to $40 for 5K and 10K, and $20 starting July 1 Sameday registration is $45 for 5K and 10K, and $25 for Magic Mile Start time 8 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/Events/ MN/Glenwood/GlenwoodWateramaRun
JULY 29
OLIVIA — James H Page Memorial CCD 5K Virtual Run/Walk; South Second Street, Olivia Registration is $30, and closes July 29 Start time 7:30 a m
Website: runsignup com/Race/Events/ MN/Olivia/JamesHPageMemorial5K
AUG. 5
WILLMAR — Jared Anez Eagle Lake Race Series Races include Adult 5K, $25; Student 5K, $15; Adult Half Marathon, $60; Student Half Marathon, $50; Virtual 5K, $20; and Virtual Half Marathon, $40 Registration ends Aug 2 Kids Fun Run available, free Start times are 7 a m for half marathon, 8 a m for 5K Contact Mary LaRue at 320-894-5998 or mary larue@hotmail com, or go online at runsignup com/Race/ MN/Willmar/JaredAnezMemorial5K
Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series (half-marathon only)
AUG. 12
NEW LONDON — Green Lake Kids Triathlon; 860 S Andrew DR NW, ages 3-12 Registration is $25 until July 31; price increases to $30 Aug 1 Start time is 9 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/MN/NewLondon/ GreenLakeKidsTriathlonSpicer
AUG. 13
SPICER — Green Lake Triathlon; 159 Lake Ave S , Spicer, ages 13 and up Registration is $59 for individuals, $110 for a two-person relay team and $150 for a three-person relay team; prices increase June 28 to $69, $130 and $180, respectively Sprint Course: ¼-mile swim, 14-mile bike, 3-mile run; Olympic Course: ¾-mile swim, 22-mile bike, 6-mile run Start time 8 a m Website: runsignup com/ Race/MN/Spicer/GreenLakeTriathlon
AUG. 19
MARSHALL — Stepping Out of Summer Tiger 5000 Run the Fun 5K,
200 South A Street Registration is $20; price increases to $25 May 31
Start time 8:30 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/Events/MN/Marshall/ SteppingOutofSummerTiger 5000RuntheFun5k
AUG. 26
RAYMOND — Hawk Creek Run Around Raymond 5K, sponsored by Hawk Creek Country Club Website: https://runsignup com/ Race/MN/Raymond/ HawkCreekRun Contact 320-220-2347 Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
SEPT. 9
WILLMAR — CCS 5K: Fall Sports Fundraiser; 1300 19th Ave SW, Willmar Website: runsignup com/Race/MN/ Willmar/5KCCS Contact 320-894-5882 Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
SEPT. 23
STARBUCK — Leaf Mountain Foot Race; Glacial Lakes State Park Fun Run (6 miles), The Double (12 miles) or Full Glacier (18 miles) Limited to 100 participants Registration $60 Price increases to $65 starting June 1 Start time 8 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/ MN/Starbuck/LeafMountainFootRace
OCT. 14
WILLMAR — Promise 5K Website: runsignup com/promise Contact 320894-5882 Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
NOV. 23
WILLMAR — Turkey Leg 5K Website: runsignup com/turkeyleg5k Contact 320-894-5882 Par t of the Glacial Lakes Championship Running Series
Summer is a great time to do any recreational outdoor activity While off-road state trails are great, those looking for more thrills or simply wanting to get muddy can head to some dedicated off-road sites in Minnesota
Area sites include Freedom Ridge in Atwater and the Appleton Area Regional park The Meeker County OHV park will be closed until spring 2024, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Be sure to check the DNR’s trail closures list before planning your visit
Located off of U S Highway 59 about two miles northeast of Appleton is 330 acres of park for ATVs, dirtbikes, and most any offroad vehicles In what used to be an old gravel mine now lies 20 miles of trail with varying degrees of difficulty The park also boasts two motocross
practice tracks for beginners and more experienced riders
The Appleton park remains open year-round from sunrise to sunset Admission is free, but all off-road vehicles must be registered
The city of Appleton does have a license free of charge that allows visitors to drive their ATVs on city streets Information needed to obtain this license includes name, address, telephone number, a DNR license number for the vehicle, and a signature
To get to the park, from Appleton, go 1 mile east on Highway 59 The park will be on the left Parking is available within the recreational park
Address: 1130 195th St SE, Atwater
Located directly south of Atwater, Freedom Ridge offers a campground and live music venue in addition to a mix of trails, rock crawls, and a mud
hole open from mid- to late summer
According to its website, all vehicles with a wheel — and able to pass inspection — are welcome at Freedom Ridge ATVs and dirt bikes aren’t allowed at this time within the park
Drivers must be at least 15 years old, and not be impaired by alcohol or drugs
Past events at the park include the Rubicon Rendezvous and mud races Visit freedomridgerocks com for updates on upcoming events
Summertime in Minnesota means it’s prime time for county fairs to gear up with new acts and entertainment, but all the same special summer fun
The events listed here are only a partial listing, and events are subject to change Check fair websites or social media pages for additional information and updates
YELLOW MEDICINE COUNTY FAIR
July 20-22
Fairgrounds in Canby
Free admission and free parking
Check the website for more information
Website: ymcfair org
CHIPPEWA COUNTY FAIR
July 26-30
Fairgrounds in Montevideo
Gate admission is $10, ages 6 and younger are free Excluding food, carnival rides and drinks, everything inside the gates, including grandstand events, is free Check the website for more information
Website: chippewacofairmn com
POPE COUNTY FAIR
Aug 2-5
Fairgrounds in Glenwood
A demolition derby featuring six derby and racing classes will be at 1 p m Sunday, Aug 6, after fair activities will be over Admission for Sunday’s derby is $15, kids 5 and under get in free Check the website for more information
Website: popecountyfair org
MEEKER COUNTY FAIR
Aug 2-6
Fairgrounds in Litchfield
Admission is $5, ages 4 and under and over 70 will be admitted free Gates open at 8 a m every day of the fair Parking is free outside the fairgrounds $30 parking passes for inside the fairgrounds will be available at the fair office starting Aug 3 at noon Passes are limited and distributed on a first-come, firstserved basis
Featured grandstand events include a tractor pull, Motokazie
supercross racing and a demolition derby
Check the website for more information
Website: meekerfair com
KANDIYOHI COUNTY FAIR
Aug 9-12
Fairgrounds in Willmar
Gate admission is $7 for adults, $3 for seniors on Thursday only, $2 for students 6-12; children 5 and under will be admitted free Daily parking is $5 per car/truck Season passes are $20 gate pass, $15 parking pass
A season ticket allows you to come and go as many times as you want during the fourday fair Grandstand three-day wristbands are available for $20 per adult and $7 for kids 6-12
Wednesday is Veterans Day and Thursday is Senior Day Check the website for more information
Website: kandifair com
RENVILLE COUNTY FAIR
Aug 9-11
Fairgrounds in Bird Island
Gates are open from 10 a m to 10 p m daily Daily admission is $7 ages 12 and under are admitted free Season pass available for $15
Featured grandstand events include ATV barrel racing, bull-riding and a demolition derby All day, every day events include an antique tractor show, 4H exhibits/animals and a petting zoo Check the website for
Website: renvillecountyfair org
SWIFT COUNTY FAIR
Aug 16-20
Fairgrounds in Appleton Check the website for more information
Website: swiftcountyfair org
LAC QUI PARLE COUNTY FAIR
Sept 7-10
Fairgrounds in Madison Gates open at 9 a m daily, admission is $5 for ages 12 and over and includes parking; admission is free for ages 11 and under and for active military personnel with a
On Thursday, a performance by the White Sidewalls will be the featured entertainment Friday through Sunday, magician Dr Street and Caricatures by Jennifer will be at the fair along with a band each evening Other events Friday include The AbbeyRoad Band and West Addison Blues Saturday there will be a pedal pull, veggies races, diaper derby, demo derby and the Minnesota High School Rodeo Sunday’s events include a Minnesota High School Rodeo and the Tom Bly Memorial Auto Race Check the website for more information
Website: lqpfair com
SibleyStatePark- NewLondon
SouthernElementaryCamp(Ages 8-11):July11- 15
SouthernJuniorCamp (Ages11 -14):July18 -22
SouthernSeniorCamp(Ages14 -18):July24 -29
ONLY$125
StandingforAgriculture, WorkingforFarmers
Take a ride along the bike trails in west central Minnesota
Bicycling is a low-cost way to meet up and exercise at the same time With trails available throughout west central Minnesota, and several biking events slated for June through September, you can take a ride in your neighborhood, join a group or raise money for a cause
JUNE 10
ALBANY — Caramel Roll Ride, 8
a m , 400 Railroad Ave, Albany, $25
This “beginning of summer” ride has seven possible destinations: Freeport, 12-mile loop; Avon, 12-mile loop; St Joseph, 32-mile loop; Holdingford, 20-mile loop; Bowlus, 34-mile loop; Blanchard Dam, 40-mile loop; and Highway 10, 46-mile loop Caramel rolls will be available at designated rest stops along the way Registration deadline is June 8 More information can be found at www bikereg com/ lwt-caramel-roll-ride
JUNE 17
ALBANY — Tour of Minnesota, 4 p m , $499 This seven-day, 300-mile ride has three goals: to visit outof-the-way small towns and vistas, enjoy the heritage and culture of
those towns, and to bring economic development to local businesses
There is a sampler option for riders wanting a short route, which is set for June 18-19, and costs $150 For more information and to register, visit www tourofminnesota com/register
JUNE 17
AVON — Lady Slipper Nature Ride, 8 a m , Lake Wobegon Trailhead, 453637 Co Rd 9, Avon, free This
casual ride along the Lake Wobegon Trail is intended for bikers to see the Minnesota State Flower, the Showy Pink and White Lady Slipper Moccasin Flower between mile markers 93 and 94 west of Avon (8-mile loop) Registration deadline is June 15 To register, visit www bikereg com/lwt-lady-slipper-nature-ride
JUNE 18
WHITE BEAR LAKE — Sota Wheel
Race, 7 a m , $135 The third annual Sota Wheel Race is a 14-day, 1,200mile paved bikepacking challenge that circles central Minnesota The race starts and ends in White Bear Lake, and travels through four regional segments of the state For more information and a map of the full route, visit www mnisotawheelrace com/the-route
JULY 9
St JOSEPH — Tour of Saints, 6:30 a m to 2 p m , College of St Benedict, 37 South College Ave , St Joseph, $45 The Tour of Saints begins and ends at the College of St Benedict in St Joseph Check-in opens at 6:30 a m , and bikers may start their rides up until 8:30 There are three loops available: 18-mile, 35-mile or 50-mile courses More information can be found at www bikemn org/all-events/ tour-of-saints
JULY 15
GRANITE FALLS — Bluenose
Gopher 50, 7 a m to 5 p m , Bluenose Gopher Public House, 681 Prentice St The third annual Bluenose Gopher 50 is a 50-mile loop from downtown Granite Falls along the Minnesota River valley National Scenic Byway Registration is available online for free, or opens at 7 a m preceding the race For more information about the race, registration and camping sites, visit www bluenose coop/ bluenosegopher50
JULY 22
ALEXANDRIA — Alexandria
Triathlon, Lake Brophy County Park, 1900 Brophy Park Road NW
Registration $70 for individuals, $130 for relay team; $15 for kids splash and dash Prices increase after May 22 Website: www trisignup com/Race/MN/Alexandria/ alexandriatriathlon
AUG. 12
NEW LONDON — Green Lake Kids Triathlon, 860 S Andrew DR NW, ages 3-12 Registration is $25 until July 31; price increases to $30 Aug 1 Start time is 9 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/MN/NewLondon/ GreenLakeKidsTriathlonSpicer
AUG. 13
SPICER — Green Lake
Triathlon, 159 Lake Ave S , Spicer, ages 13 and up Registration is $59 for individuals, $110 for a two-person relay team and $150 for a threeperson relay team; prices increase June 28 to $69, $130 and $180, respectively Sprint Course: ¼-mile swim, 14-mile bike, 3-mile run; Olympic Course: ¾-mile swim, 22-mile bike, 6-mile run Start time 8 a m Website: runsignup com/Race/ MN/Spicer/GreenLakeTriathlon
SEPT. 9
SAUK CENTRE — Caramel Apple Ride, 8 a m , 202 10th St So, Sauk Centre, $25 There are three possible destinations for this ride: West Union, 15-mile loop; Osakis, 27-mile loop; and Melrose, 17-mile loop Treats, including caramel apples, will be available at designated rest stops along each route Registration deadline is Sept 7 To register, visit
www bikereg com/lwt-caramelapple-ride
TBD
WILLMAR — Mayor’s Bike Ride, free The communities of Willmar, Spicer and New London are coming together for a community bike ride More information is available online at www willmarlakesarea com/event/ mayors-bike-ride/
GARY, S D — The Day Across Minnesota, starts in Gary, South Dakota, and ends in Hager City, Wisconsin The DAMn challenge encourages bikers to travel 240 miles of Minnesota gravel roads by bicycle in a single day While there is no mass start date for 2023, bikers are encouraged to take on the challenge and report their results More information and selfreported results can be found at the-damn com/ results
For updated maps of both paved and gravel trails, see:
► Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: www dnr state mn us/state_parks/starter_kit/wheels
► Minnesota Trails: mntrails com/ bike-trails
For more information for biking events across Minnesota, see:
► Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, www bikemn org/events
► Minnesota Bike Trail Navigator, mnbiketrailnavigator blogspot com/ ► Minnesota Trails, mntrails com/ events
► Lake Wobegon Trail, lakewobegontrail com/lwta-rides/
At the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, visitors can learn and have fun, all while spending time in the beautiful nature of west central Minnesota
Founded in 1992, Prairie Woods is a nonprofit environmental learning center, committed to providing outstanding environmental education and outdoor experiences to people of all ages
Prairie Woods’ site encompasses 500 acres on the south side of Lake Florida, and includes an education building with five classrooms, a trailhead and a 30-foot indoor climbing wall The Gary Westby Observatory building sits atop Prairie Woods’ highest hill Several beautiful spaces are available for meetings, family reunions, holiday gatherings and weddings Also on site is the Gary Westby Educational Shooting Sports Range Memberships are available
For additional information, visit the PWELC website at www prairiewoodselc org or call the office, 320-354-5894
Equipment rentals: Fat-tire bikes, kayaks and canoes will be handled on a reservation basis, made at least 24 hours in advance If you would like to reserve equipment for the weekend, please call by noon on Friday PWELC does not have regular trailhead hours
Music Under the Prairie Stars: 5:30 p m Sept 8, 2023 An earth conscious benefit for PWELC, featuring locally grown and prepared dinner by the Green Mill and live music by Jeff James A silent ecoauction will also highlight green items such as, locally made art pieces, dinners catered by local chefs, and packages from local growers and wineries
More than 12,000 years ago, the
most recent glacier receded to reveal dramatic ridges and wetlandrich lowlands on this land For thousands of years, Native American people found their livelihood among the shifting forests, prairies and wetlands here
Swedish immigrant Anders Danielson and his family settled this land when they arrived to Minnesota in 1871 Most of the 500 acres owned by Prairie Woods was farmed by the Danielson family until the 1980s
The farm site is still present, with a barn, granary and farm house Many bur oak trees on the property are more than 100 years old A renovated log cabin also sits near the farm site in the exact location where the Danielson family built their first log home, prior to building the frame house
The land was eventually sold to Kandiyohi County by the Danielson family
On Prairie Woods’ challenge course, high ropes and climbing walls, groups learn — and teach each other — about communication, cooperation, creative problem solving and courage
The challenge course can accommodate group sizes of up to 200 participants
Prairie Woods’ high-quality, multifaceted facility includes an indoor climbing wall, 40-foot three-sided outdoor climbing tower, two giant ladders and a Flying Squirrel for group team-building activities on the ground
More than 25,000 people, ages 4 to 84, have participated in Challenge Course programs at Prairie Woods Challenge course users include school groups, high school and college athletic teams, church youth groups, local camps, YMCAs, alternative schools, student senates and leadership organizations, 4H, FFA, scouts, families and corporate retreat groups
The Gary Westby Educational Shooting Sports Range, located on a remote site at Prairie Woods,
offers sporting clays and a smallbore rifle range Shooting leagues should contact Prairie Woods to schedule a time
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center is located at 12718 10th Street NE near Spicer Call 320-354-5894 or visit www prairiewoodselc org for additional information
From Willmar and the south
and west on U.S. Highway 71 and Minnesota Highway 23: Travel north of Willmar on U S Highway 71/ Minnesota Highway 23 Follow U S 71 to the north (toward Sauk Centre) when Highway 23 splits off Follow U S 71 three more miles to Kandiyohi County Road 29 The intersection is past Thein Well at the north side of Ringo Lake Turn left (west) on County Road 29 Go 1 5 miles The Prairie Woods driveway will be on your left You will see a large brown and yellow PWELC sign and a green gate
There is certainly no shortage of courses to choose from for golf enthusiasts in the Willmar area
From a resort setting to the come-as-you-are backdrop, 22 golf courses in the West Central Tribune area offer a myriad of fairways, bunkers and scenic backgrounds
The season is in full swing, and many courses await a call for tee time reservations
Following is a listing of area golf courses, some of which are open to the general public and some of which require memberships
The courses that require memberships may be used by those who live outside the membership area by paying green fees Most courses are closed for league days at various times each week
“Slope rating” is a rating that dictates the difficulty of the course, based primarily on length, number of hazards and number of trees A rating of 113 is the national average Ratings lower than 113 are easier to play while those above 113 are more difficult Ratings may range from the low 60s to 150 The slope rating allows the golfer to figure their
handicap according to the course on which they are playing The slope rating listed is for the men’s white and women’s red tees
For more information on area golf courses, visit www mngolf org
North edge of town along Pomme de Terre River
The course plays along the river on several holes and has some rolling hills It has three par 5s and three par 4s The fairways are average in width and fairly open
9 holes, par 36, 3,053 yards for men and 2,985 yards for women; slope rating of 118 for men and 119 for women Car t rentals available No reservations taken for tee times, 320289-2513
BENSON GOLF CLUB
West Highway 9 in Benson
A course with lots of trees, it has three holes on the west side of the Chippewa River; golfers must play across the river three times
18 holes, par 72, 6,313 yards for men; 5,994 for women; slope rating of 125 for men and 124 for women 320842-7901
DACOTAH RIDGE GOLF CLUB
13 miles south of Olivia on state Highway 71, ½ mile west on Renville County Road 2
The course, designed by Rees Jones, melds perfectly into the prairie
18 holes, par 72, 6,217 yards, slope rating of 136 for men and 141 for women Tee times 24 hours depending on availability, 507-6447844
DAWSON GOLF COURSE
On northwest edge of town
An older course with some nice trees, slightly rolling All holes are par 4s except for one par 3
9 holes, par 35, 2,837 yards; slope rating of 112 for men and 119 for women Tee time reservations are unnecessary, 320-769-2212
EAGLE CREEK GOLF CLUB
North edge of Willmar, just west of Highway 71
The front nine includes a full-size driving range The back nine has steeper grades, mature trees and
Tee off at any number of regional golf courses this summer
water hazards
18 holes, par 72, 6,098 yards for men; par 73, 5,208 yards for women; slope rating of 130 for men and 127 for women Reservations for tee times are available three days (public) in advance, 320-235-1166
GRANITE RUN GOLF COURSE
Highway 67, south edge of Granite Falls
The course is hilly with some trees, and newly revamped greens and improved, elevated tee boxes There are a couple of doglegs, two par 5 holes and three water hazards
9 holes, par 36, 2,902 for men, 2509 for women; slope rating 128 for men and 126 for women 320-564-4755
HAWK CREEK COUNTRY CLUB
Northeast edge of Raymond, along Highway 23
This gently rolling course has play crossing Hawk Creek on the fifth, sixth and eighth holes There are mature trees and some small trees
9 holes, par 36, 3,126 for men; 2,428 yards for women; slope rating of 123 for men and 120 for women Reservations are taken for tee times up to 24 hours (public) in advance,
ISLAND PINE
Southwest edge of Atwater
The rolling course has natural wetland areas and an island green on the par 3 18th hole There are seven doglegs, four par 5s and four par 3s with large greens
18 holes, par 72; 6,336 for men; 5,194 for women, slope rating of 130 Reservations are taken for tee times (320-974-8600)
14 days in advance
KORONIS HILLS GOLF CLUB
Highway 23, one mile west of Paynesville
A somewhat hilly course, with several holes carved out of the trees
It has narrow fairways and several difficult par 3 holes
18 holes, par 71, 6,005 yards for men; 5,070 for women; slope rating of 124 for men and 116 for women Tee times taken one week in advance, 320-243-4111
Pleasure Drive, on the southwest edge of town
Located near Lake Ripley, the course is challenging with trees and water hazards
18 holes, par 70, 6,086 yards for men; 4,997 for women; slope rating of 126 for men and 121 for women Reservations are taken for tee times, 320-693-6059
COUNTRY CLUB
Highway 23, midway between Spicer and New London
With seven ponds, 33 sand traps, creeks, intervening water hazards, and lots of trees, this course is challenging The fairways are average in width
27 holes, par 72, 6,217 yards for men and 5,393 yards for women on Willows/Pines; 6,400 and 5,442 on Pines/Oaks; 6,337 and 5,373 on Oaks/Willows; slope rating average of 132 for men and 127 for women Reservations for tee times taken up to seven days in advance, 320-3542296
MADISON COUNTRY CLUB
South on Highway 75, west on State 40
An old course with many mature trees and some hills There is one par 3 and the rest are par 4s
9 holes, par 35, 2,802 yards for men and 2,715 for women; slope rating of 125 for men and 122 for women No reservations needed except for weekends, 320-598-7587
MINNEWASKA GOLF CLUB
West from Glenwood on Highway 28, turn north on Golf Course Road
The rolling, semi-hilly terrain overlooking Lake Minnewaska will challenge the average to the betterthan-average golfer and the greens are all moderately bunkered
18 holes, par 72, 6,212 yards for men; 5,136 yards for women; slope rating of 133 for men and 126 for women Reservations can be made up to a week in advance and are advised, 320-634-3680
OAKDALE COUNTRY CLUB
Seven miles northeast of Buffalo Lake on Renville County 8
On the north shore of Lake Ellie, the course is somewhat hilly, with 90-foot wide fairways Four holes have doglegs and No 6 is played across an extension of the lake
18 holes, par 72, 5,304 yards for men; 5,138 yards for women; slope rating of 117 for men and 121 for women Tee times seven days in advance, 320-587-0525
OLIVIA GOLF CLUB
Southeast edge of town, three blocks south of courthouse
This course features tree-lined fairways and water hazards, including one par 3 which requires you to play over water
9 holes, par 36, 3,171 yards for men; 2,609 yards for women; slope rating
of 118 for men and 116 for women 320-523-2313
PEZHEKEE NATIONAL
GOLF COURSE
South of Glenwood on state Highway 104, turn right on Pezhekee Road
One of a few resort golf courses in Minnesota The fairways cut through a maple, basswood and oak forest, lush greens, varied natural terrain, bridges, overlooking Lake Minnewaska Several water hazards, evenly balanced with par 3s, par 4s and par 5s, some ravines and fairly deep woods
18 holes, par 72, 7,263 yards for men; par 75, 6,295 yards for women; slope rating of 119 Reservations are taken for tee times 320-634-4501
POMME DE TERRE
GOLF COURSE
Three miles south of Morris on state Highway 9
A rolling course with narrow fairways and sand situations affecting four holes Each hole has two or three tree lines Both the par 3s have water hazards
18 holes, par 72, 5,995 yards for men; 4,889 yards for women; slope rating of 129 for men and 119 for women Tee time reservations accepted, 320-392-1009
PRAIRIE VIEW GOLF COURSE
East edge of Brooten along Highway 55
The wide-open prairie course has three water hazards A reversible nine-hole course, play one direction one day and other direction the next day
9 holes, par 36, 3,078 yards for men; 2,627 yards for women; slope rating of 126 for men and 121 for women
Reservations five days in advance, 320-346-2677
CLUB
101 E Oak Street, Redwood Falls
One of the most scenic courses in the state features an island green on No 3 and a 90-foot drop overlooking the Redwood River Valley on No 17
18 holes, par 70, 5,698 yards for men; 4,958 yards for women; slope rating of 120 for men and 113 for women Call for tee times, 507-6278901
RIVER CREST GOLF COURSE
Highway 212, west of Montevideo
The course runs north-south on top of and below the bluff overlooking the Minnesota River valley The river comes into play on five holes as a water hazard Trees come into play on several holes
18 holes, par 72, 6,190 yards for men; 5,735 yards for women; slope rating of 127 for men and 121 for women Reservations are taken up to 7 days in advance, 320-231-1281
STONEY CREEK
GOLF COURSE
One mile south and two miles west of Renville
This nine-hole course has a very good layout, and is both challenging and scenic
9 holes, par 36; 3,438 yards for men; 3,266 yards for women; slope rating of 144 for men and 141 for women Call for tee times, 320-7794653
VALLEY GOLF COURSE
East edge of Willmar, just off Lakeland Drive on Becker Avenue
This course has some hills and creeks to cross A nine-hole course with a few stands of old trees
9 holes, par 35, 2,479 yards for men, slope rating of 105; 2,212 yards for women No reservations taken for tee times
Willmar offers many different ways to cool off on a hot summer day
The Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center with its pools and slides, Rice Park Splash Pad and its multiple water features and Foot Lake at Robbins Island Regional Park all offer hours of summer fun for children and adults alike There are also swimming lessons available through Willmar Community Education
DOROTHY OLSON
AQUATIC CENTER
Address: 1601 22nd St S W
Seasonal phone: 320-441-2018
The aquatic center is scheduled to open for the season June 9, weather permitting, and will be open daily
from noon to 7 p m However, the center will not open for the day if the air temperature is 68 degrees or cooler
Check the website before visiting
The center employs Red Cross-trained lifeguards and features a zero-depth pool with interactive toy features, a six-lane 25-yard recreational pool, two poolside climbing walls, two towering water slides, a children’s slide and concession stand Amenities include chaise lounges, umbrellas and picnic tables
Special events are planned from June through August, and will be listed at the pool and online
Daily admission is $3 for swimmers and observers There are also group rates and individual and family season passes available
Birthday parties: The aquatic center is booking birthday parties and other get-togethers The entire center can be rented out for after-hour
private group events For more information, call 320-231-8490
All special events at the DOAC will be posted on the DOAC Facebook page at www facebook com/ DOACWillmar
Swimming in Foot Lake is allowed at the Virgil Olson Beach during daylight hours The sand beach can be reached via a paved walking path along Foot Lake Vehicle parking is also available
The Rice Park Splash Pad is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10 a m to 8 p m There is no charge A section is designed for 3-5-year-olds to enjoy, while the other areas are geared to all ages Changing rooms and restrooms are available in the park’s shelter
The park is located at 805 Third St S W , two blocks west of McDonald’s
For information about lessons, call 320-231-8490 or check www willmar k12 mn us/communityed
There are several different class options for different ages and abilities, all held at the Willmar Middle School pool
History buffs can learn a thing or two about west central Minnesota by visiting historical centers in Kandiyohi County
The Kandiyohi County Historical Center in Willmar is open 9 a m to 4 p m weekdays; 10 a m to 2 p m Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day
The center, on North Business Highway 71, features a museum, a one-room school, a log shed and a Great Northern locomotive; admission $5, ages 12 and up Visit the website at www kandiyohicountyhistory com
The Sperry House, built by Willmar pioneers in 1893, will offer guided tours from 10 a m to 2 p m Saturdays through Labor Day Open by appointment during the week
The Guri Endreson site, located on County Road 5, with a field road gate open June through August from 9 a m to 5 p m Saturdays and Sundays Guided tours available by appointment
Tourists may pick up maps of historical sites at the Center For more information or to pre-register, call 320-235-1881, email kandhist@ msn com or check the Facebook page at @kandihistory
Atwater Area Historical Society and Museum, 500 Pleasant Avenue West, is open 10 a m to noon, Saturdays or by appointment; call Jon at 320-444-0337
The Norway Lake Log Church is a replica of the first church originally built in 1868 in the northwestern part of the county It, and the restored original 1862 Knutson cabin, are located west of New London off of County Road 40 at 9601 195th Ave NW Except for July 1st it is open from 7 to 9 p m Saturdays from June 17, which is Midtsommer Music night, through Aug 12, with a Vespers service at 7:15 p m each night July 29th is the Children’s Vespers There is always a little lunch after The church, interpretive center and Knutson cabin are open by appointment for private
tours by calling 651-734-3107 or 320905-1539 Everyone is invited and welcomed
The annual celebration is planned for Aug 20th and the Advent Service December 3rd; website is www nllha org or on Facebook at www facebook com/nllha org
Raptor Ridge Natural History Museum is located at 212050 Co Rd 40 NE, Spicer Call 320-354-8820 for hours The museum features collections of butterflies, seashells, rocks, minerals, Indian artifacts and dinosaur bones collected by Larry and Barb Levin Admission is free
The Lac qui Parle History Center, 250 8th Avenue South, Madison, houses a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits on the county’s history
It includes a large collection of dolls, wildlife and plants, military and 22 individual exhibits on the county’s township The center is also home to several outbuildings including a log cabin, rural school house, gas station and the Robert Bly Study There is also a large research library
The center is open weekdays 10 a m to 4 p m and Saturdays 10 a m to 3 p m from May through October
A bridal show is scheduled for June 11 and on July 30 Heritage Day will be held More information can be found at www lqphc org
The Meeker County Museum & Research Library is located at the G.A.R Hall, 308 Marshall Ave N near Central Park, Litchfield
The Frank Daggett Post No 35 was constructed in 1885 by veterans of the Civil War, and is the last remaining Hall of its kind in Minnesota It is on the National Register of Historic Places
The museum includes two floors worth of exhibits highlighting Meeker County’s origins and history The library has various historic records including biographies, church records, maps, military records, obits, newspaper and photographs
The museum, research library and the G A R Hall are open from 10 a m to 4 p m Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p m Saturday
Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 12 Call 320-6938911
The Chippewa County Historical Society includes Chippewa City, Swensson Farm Museum and Lac qui Parle Mission For information about them or to schedule an appointment out of regular hours, call 320-2697636 or visit www chippewacohistory org
Chippewa City, 151 Pioneer Drive, Montevideo, is a re-creation of a late 1800s-era village, complete with town square and boardwalk The city is open May 27 through Sept 5 Hours are 10 a m to 4 p m Tuesday through Saturday; Sept 4-30 the city is open 10 a m to 5 p m Tuesday through Friday; adults $5, students $3, 5 and under are free
The Olof Swensson Farm Museum,
a 17-acre farmstead located six miles east of Montevideo on state Highway 7 and five miles south on County Road 15, preserves turn-ofthe-century farm life and features a 22-room house, timber-frame barn and the remains of a gristmill The farm is open from 1 to 5 p m Saturdays and Sundays, May 27 through Sept 3; adults $5, students $3, 5 and under are free A horse power show is held at the farm the second Saturday in September from 10 a m to 4 p m Private tours available by appointment
The Lac qui Parle Mission was the Minnesota Territory’s first Protestant mission and is one of the few remaining in the state The reconstructed building houses
exhibits of the missionaries and their work; the Dakota people; and Joseph Renville, who invited the missionaries to Lac qui Parle Mission Sunday is the second Sunday in July beginning with a worship service at 10:30 a m , potluck picnic and afternoon program
The site is located north of Montevideo on County Road 13 and
is open daily April 30 through Labor Day from 8 a m to 8 p m ; free admission
The Renville County Historical Society is located near the Minnesota River in Morton It has been around since 1940 and includes a large research library along with multiple historic exhibits People can learn about the county’s agricultural, educational and military history along with its geological past There are also multiple out buildings including two schools, a church, machine shed and a protected pioneer cabin The museum is located at 441 North Park Drive, Morton Hours from June through August are Mondays through Saturdays
10 a m to 4 p m
Appointments can also be made by calling 507-697-6147 More information can be found at www renvillecountyhistory com
Milwaukee Road Heritage Center, 301 State Road, Montevideo Open for tours 1 to 5 p m Saturdays and Sundays, June 17 through Sept 4 11th annual craft, vendor, antique and collectibles sale 9 a m to 4 p m
June 17 Website is www montevideomrhc org
Paynesville Historical Museum, 251 Ampe Drive, Paynesville Exhibits include Indian artifacts, personal and household items from the 1860s to 1970s, agriculture, and a one-room schoolhouse The museum is open June 1 through Labor Day, 10 a m to 4 p m
The Little Theatre
Auditorium in New London is a great place for artists to challenge themselves and for audiences to experience something new and exciting
It is a great location for music, live performances and more The theater, run by the Crow River Players, wants to provide a space for artists of all backgrounds, cultures and identities to experiment, explore and exhibit
The New London Little Theatre has shifted its focus from producing stage plays to “art by appointment” experiences and other types of organic live performances, including the monthly Open Mic and Jazz nights, and private events
Held at 7 p m on the second Friday of each month, Open Mic features local musicians, storytellers, poets, comedians and other
live performers Open Mic is held before a live audience in the theater, which now includes a new cocktail bar
To sign up to perform, email bethany@ littletheatreauditorium org Walk-ins are welcome
The first Friday of each month is host to Jazz Night, beginning at 7 p m
On Sundays from 11 a m to 4 p m the Theatre offers Sunday Espresso Matinees
Visitors can watch classic movies, provided by New London Roaming Cinema, with friends while enjoying espresso drinks and cocktails
The second annual Porchfest will begin at 11 a m June 3, and will feature local musical artists performing on New London area stages, including at the Little Theatre The event was created in celebration of the
late Bill Gossman, former mayor of New London, and is organized by the New London Arts Alliance
Other events scheduled for the summer include a screening and Q&A with indie filmmaker Atlas Phoenix at 6 p m June 10, a Karaoke party featuring Rick LeRenn starting at 8 p m June 23, and Clown Bar, a clown noir whodunit series, July 14-15 and Aug 18-19
The Little Theatre, 24 Central Ave East, was built in 1921 as a community playhouse and restored and modernized in the 1990s to preserve its role and history as a local center for the arts
For more information and an up-to-date schedule, visit littletheatreauditorium org or follow its Facebook page at www facebook com/ littletheatreauditorium
little theatre full of big art A little theatre full of big art
If you are a lover of live music under the wide open sky, the Willmar Lakes Area is the perfect place to catch a performance or two Folk artists, country musicians, bluegrass bands, concert musicians, marching bands and rock-and-rollers can all be found at area parks, wineries, backyard breweries and city streets
Seating is provided at some venues but it’s advisable to bring your own lawn chairs
Live music will be held from 5 to 8 p m on the first Thursday of each month in June, July and August as part of the Maker’s Market along the Minnesota Riverwalk in downtown Granite Falls The musicians on June 1 are Traveled Ground Other acts to be annouced There will also be live music during Squid Fest on Sept 16
For more information, visit the website at www granitefallsarts org/makers-market, and Facebook at www facebook com/ events/1746553962189343
Most Thursday evenings in the summer area musical groups will
perform in Litchfield’s Central Park starting at 6:30 p m downtown Litchfield Refreshments are often available
The Songs of Summer Festival will bring music, food and more to the Litchfield Civic Center Aug 18 Gates open at 4 p m with music to begin at 5 p m Schedule to perform are
Michael Shynes from 5 to 7 p m and the Fabulous Armadillos with Chris Hawkey starting at 7:30 p m
For more information, visit www litchfieldmn com
The New London Porchfest will start at 11 a m June 3 in New London
Musicians to perform live throughout west central Minnesota
There will be dozens of musicians performing along Main Street and Central Avenue The free event was created in celebration of the late Bill Gossman, former mayor of New London, and is organized by the New London Arts Alliance
Concerts will be presented at 7 p m
Tuesdays at the Depot Museum park gazebo in Danube:
► June 6: Kingery family
► June 20: Tim Eggebraaten the “Off-Duty Cop”
► July 6: Dam Jammers
► July 18: West Addison Blues, a tribute band to the Blues Brothers
► Aug. 1: Custom Made
► Aug. 15: Pat and Donna Surface
The concerts are free, with a freewill donation All
per formances are at the outdoor gazebo on the grounds of the Danube Historical Society Depot Museum at 404 First Street The rain location is the Bob Bruggers Auditorium in the Danube School
The Prairie Winds Concert Band will present concerts at 7:30 p m Wednesdays at Rice Park in Willmar The dates are June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29 and July 6 Band practice is at 6 p m in the park, followed by an opening group at 7 p m , and then the band at 7:30 p m
Acoustic Vibe will play June 28, with additional groups still to be announced
For more information, visit www prairiewindsconcertband com or Facebook at www
facebook com/prairiewinds
The 36th annual June 14 Flag Day band festival and parade in Benson will begin at 6:30 p m The event features many marching bands from across Minnesota For more information, visit marching com/events/benson
The 39th annual Vikingland Band Festival parade marching championship will be at 1:30 p m June 25 in Alexandria Various marching bands from Minnesota participate in the festival For more information, visit marching com/events/ vbf/index or Facebook at www facebook com/ VikinglandBandFestival
Summer concerts will take place at 7 p m Tuesdays at the Riverview Park Bandstand in Appleton In case of inclement, but not severe, weather, the concert will be in the ‘52 Wing Auditorium For more information visit appletonmn gov
The Community Ed Concert Series will be at 6 p m Thursdays at Veterans’ Park in Paynesville during the month of July Bands per form a wide variety of music from classic rock, to country and pop The schedule for the weekly concerts are July 6, Crystal Breeze; July 13, Wheelhouse Trio; July 20, Family by Choice; and July 27, Gig Noonan
More information can be found online at www paynesvillece com
Sundays from July 16 through Aug 20 at Pirrotta Park on the shores of Green Lake in Spicer
More information can be found online at Facebook at www facebook com/1953247054903222 ROCKIN’
raises money for Robbins Island improvements Each event includes a free concert, food vendors, beer/wine tent, kids’ activities and artisan market
Concerts take place at Robbins Island from 5 to 9 p m on Tuesdays beginning July 11 with Collective Unconscious; July 18, Free and Easy; July 25, The Crown Jewels; and Aug 1, Fabulous Armadillos
Riders will risk life and limb for eight seconds across the region this summer
Bull riding and rodeos will start in the region in late June and will run throughout the summer festival season
Seven counties in west central
June 22-24: Buffalo PRCA Championship
Rodeo, Buffalo
June 22-24: Western Fest Stampede Rodeo, Granite Falls
July 7: 8 p m — Edger ton Bull Riding, Dutch Festival, Edgerton
July 14: 6 p m — Redwood Falls Bull Riding,
and southwest Minnesota will have a rodeo: Redwood, Grant, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, Lyon and Traverse
Rodeo and bull riding in the region has top cowboys and cowgirls on their respective circuits
Redwood County Fair, Redwood Falls
July 15: 6 p m — Sacred Heart Bull Riding, Summerfest, Sacred Heart
July 12: 6 p m — Grant County Fair Rodeo, Grant County Fairgrounds, Herman
July 29: 7 p m — Montevideo Bull Riding, Chippewa County Fair, Montevideo
Aug. 9: 7 p m — Willmar Bull Riding,
Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds, Willmar
Aug. 10: 7 p m — Bird Island Bull Riding, Renville County Fairgrounds
Aug. 10-11: Lyon County Fair PRCA Rodeo, Marshall
Aug. 25: Wheaton Bull Riding, Traverse County Fair, Wheaton
Rodeo circuit to once again include west central Minnesota communities
West central Minnesota abounds with natural areas that showcase the region’s lakes, prairies and examples of native plant and animal life
Among those worth a visit:
The 600-acre Ordway Prairie Preserve is one of the largest native prairie tracts in the state
The glacial till prairie is made up of meadows, wetlands and woods It is home to a variety of plant and animal life, including the rare Hill’s thistle and the Poweshiek skipper butterfly
The prairie, acquired by the Nature Conservancy in the 1970s, is located off Minnesota Highway 104 north of Sunburg It can be reached via a rest area on Lake Johanna Hill
Lund Prairie, covering 110 acres, is one of the region’s most recent additions to the Nature Conservancy About half of this preserve is untouched native prairie It contains more than 200 different species of native grasses and flowers
Lund Prairie is 25 miles west of Willmar on Minnesota Highway 40
Regal Meadow is a 185-acre preserve exemplifying the region’s native mix of prairie, forest and
wetlands Hikers may be able to spot a rare lady-slipper, the state flower, in marshy areas of the meadow
Owned by the Nature Conservancy, the Regal Meadow is located on 160th Street Northeast, two miles north of Hawick
The 2,000acre Chippewa Prairie Nature Preserve is a rich site for plant and bird diversity and is well known for grassland birds The prairie chicken has been reintroduced here The land has never been tilled and has hundreds of species of native natural grasses and wildflowers An old ox-cart trail provides a two-mile trail for hikers and bird watchers
Cooperatively owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the preserve is four miles northwest of Milan along the upper Lac qui Parle Lake
Swedes Forest is seven miles south of Sacred Heart on Renville County Road 9 and 1½ miles west on a gravel road
It contains granite outcrops and the rare five-lined skink, which lives in open, sunny bedrock exposures near oak habitat
Nature trails abound in west central Minnesota
Blue Devil Valley is on the south edge of Granite Falls Follow Minnesota Highway 23 south for half a mile, then go west on County Road 39 a few hundred yards
This nature area is home to one of the state’s largest known populations of the five-lined skink Prairie plants such as the brittle cactus, little bluestem, harebell and pasque flower are found among the granite outcrops and scattered burr oak
Gneiss outcrop is located southeast of Granite Falls Follow U S Highway 212 east for one and half miles to County Road 40, then continue south one mile Gneiss
outcrops comprises the most ancient rock in the world, some 3 6 billion years old, which dominate the landscape and surround a natural lake
These rugged outcrops are also home to some of the state’s most unique plant communities The rare Great Plains prickly pear and brittle cactus endure the desert-like environment of the rocks Rare plants like the Carolina foxtail, little barley and mousetail sprout in shallow depressions among the outcrops
Bruce Hitman Heron Rookery is a short ride from Brooten to Lake Johanna Follow Stearns County Road 8 three miles west and then go
three miles south on County Road
37
The rookery is one of the state’s largest and most diverse nesting sites for water bird colonies Large numbers of great blue herons, great egrets, double-crested cormorants and black-crowned night herons nest here Rare bird species — among them the little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron and cattle egret — also have been spotted visiting or nesting at the site Green-backed herons are also known to nest here
Note: The island is closed from April 1 to July 15 to protect the nesting colonies.
June 9th 5-11 pm
Relay for Life-Chippewa & Yellow Medicine Co. Smith Park
Open May 27th-Sept 4th
Historic Chippewa City-Mon-Fri, 9a.m.-5p.m. & Holidays 1p.m.-5p.m. chippewacohistory.org
June 18th-September 4th
Milwaukee Railroad Heritage Museum
Saturday & Sunday 1 p.m.-5p.m. www.montevideomhrc.org
May-August
Fiesta City Speedway Racing Friday nights at 7p.m. www.fiestacityspeedway.com
June 11-18th
Montevideo Fiesta Days @montevideofiesta www.montevideofiestadays.com
June 16 & 17th
Heritage Hill-MVAFPMA Heritage Days @heritagehillshow www.heritagehill.us
Saturday, June 17th Milwaukee Railroad Annual Craft Fair 9a.m.-4p.m. www.montevideomhrc.org
Sunday, June 18th
Fiesta Days Car Show Main Street Montevideo 10a.m.-2p.m. montecarshow@gmail.com
July 10th Church Day Open to public until September 30th
Lac Qui Parle Mission Church Day Mission Church chippewacohistory.org
July 26-30th Chippewa County Fair @chipcofair www.chippewacofair.com
August 25th & 26th Annual Maynard Fire Relief Rodeo www.cityofmaynard.com
September 9th Yellowstone Trail Sociability Run. www.yellowstonetrailmn.com
September 9th 10a.m.-4p.m. Horse Power Event Swensson Farm Museum www.chippewahistory.org
September 19 & 30, October 1
Meander/Upper MN River Art Crawl www.artsmeander.com
The region’s gardens put on a colorful show each summer for visitors to enjoy
Whether you like to stroll or simply sit and look at the flowers, here are some places that are worth a visit
LITCHFIELD
Anderson Garden is a mini-arboretum on the northeast shore of Lake Ripley on the edge of Litchfield, accessible from Minnesota Highway 22 The public garden has many varieties of exotic and familiar flowers, shrubs and trees that can be viewed from a paved, handicappedaccessible walking path Plants bloom all season long to create a colorful experience
A gazebo in the park is a popular site for summer weddings and afternoon teas For reservations, call
Litchfield City Hall at 320-693-7201 or download a copy of the city’s special use permit form, found at www ci litchfield minn us, and mail it to Litchfield City Hall, 126 Marshall Ave
N 55355
While in Litchfield, make another stop at Central Park downtown, where the bandstand has been restored to its 1910-era glory
An Old World-style fountain is the centerpiece of Selvig Park in downtown Willmar The small formal park, at the corner of Fourth Street and Becker Avenue, was created to commemorate Willmar’s relationship with its sister city of Frameries, Belgium It is landscaped with flowers, shrubs and benches
In the town of Dawson, Scandinavian lore comes to life in the form of gnome statues that populate Gnome Park on U S Highway 212 and can be found scattered at businesses and private yards around the city
A prized collection of hand-carved wooden gnomes is on display at the Dawson Public Library
A sculpture garden featuring bronze sculptures from the 35-year career of Arthur Norby, 204 Birch St SE, in New London, is open daily except Sunday, 9 a m to 5 p m , free to the public, May through October
Learn about plant and agricultural research at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, located one mile east of the University of MinnesotaMorris campus on Minnesota Highway 329
The outdoor gardens are open to the public from sunrise to sunset and include rose gardens, shade gardens, a heritage garden, children’s garden, water gardens and an international garden with flowers and shrubs from all over the world
Since 1990, the garden has been on the All-America Selections list
of display gardens for testing new varieties of plants It also is an AllAmerica Selections flower trialing site
A scenic overlook garden interprets the region’s prairies, rivers, agriculture and environment It is designed to integrate the gardens with a bike and walking trail maintained by the city of Morris
Pamphlets are available for selfguided walking tours
The center will host its annual Horticulture Night on July 27 from 4 to 8 p m Check the website at wcroc cfans umn edu, or call 320-589-1711, for more information
Kandiyohi County libraries are open for in-person browsing, graband-go service, curbside pickup and computer time
Atwater: Monday noon to 6 p m ; Tuesday-Thursday 2 to 6 p m ; Friday noon to 4 p m ; 322 Atlantic Ave , Atwater; 320-974-3363
Lake Lillian: Monday and Tuesday 11 a m to 5 p m ; Thursday 11 a m to 7 p m ; 431 Lakeview St , Lake Lillian; 320-905-2152
New London: Monday noon to 5 p m ; Tuesday and Friday 1 to 5 p m ; Wednesday 10 a m to 2 p m ; Saturday 9 a m to noon; 15 Ash St S , New London; 320-354-2943
Raymond: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 to 6 p m ; Tuesday 10 a m to 3 p m ; 208 Cofield St N , Raymond; 320-967-4411
Spicer: Tuesday 10 a m to 5 p m ; Wednesday noon to 7 p m ; Thursday and Friday 11 a m to 5 p m ; Saturday 9 a m to 1 p m ; 198 Manitoba St , Spicer; 320-796-5560
Willmar: Monday through Thursday 9 a m to 8 p m ; Friday 9 a m to 5:30 p m ; Saturday 9 a m to 4 p m ; 410 Fifth St S W , Willmar; 320-235-3162
320-354-2446
Kandiyohi County libraries are a space where kids can read, play games and create
The 40th annual Prairie Pothole Day is set for 9 a m to 5 p m Saturday, Sept 9, near New London
The outdoor celebration includes dog trials, a black powder shoot, archery competition, slough scoot, walk in the woods, kids’ activities, food, raffle, duck calling contest, goose calling contest and more Admission is free
It is held at Stoney Ridge Farm, near the intersection of State Highway 9 and U S Highway 71 north of Sibley State Park, and hosted by the Prairie Pothole
Conservation Association, a new 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
The proceeds from various raffles fund local conservation projects and programs
Over the last 39 years, the event has grown to where an estimated 4,000 patrons may descend on the farmstead to play games, learn about the environment, and maybe win a raffle prize or two if they are lucky
More information can be found online at www facebook com/ PrairiePotholeConservation Association
Prairie Pothole Day to celebrate 40 years of introducing kids to the outdoors
Willmar Parks and Recreation and Willmar Community Education each provide a great array of different programs and events for family fun during the summer People of all ages should be able to find something to peak their interest
Weather-related announcements can be obtained by calling 320231-8493, or by tuning to local radio stations Q102/102 5 FM, 95 3 FM and 1590 AM
Willmar Parks and Recreation Department offers sports camps and leagues of all kinds, from football and gymnastics to baseball and tennis
The full catalog of programming can be found at www willmarmn gov/parks_and_recreation_land
Registration can be completed online or by mail to Parks and Recreation, 2707 Arena Drive, Willmar, MN 56201
Following is a sampling of programs available:
Fun at the Parks: Activities during Fun at the Parks include reading stories, physical education games, arts and crafts, tie-dyeing T-shirts, lawn games and board games; 1 to 4
p m on Tuesdays at Miller Park and Thursdays at Rice Park for youth ages pre-kindergarten through sixth grade
Games on Deck: Come have some summer fun at the Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center with Games on Deck, a chance to play a variety of water, yard and pool games; 1 to 4 p m Mondays and Wednesdays There is a $3 pool admission fee, with season passes available
Baseball and Softball: There are several baseball and softball programs and leagues for children and adults put on by Parks and Recreation The leagues include T-ball, Little Hitters Baseball, Kinderball, Callie’s Pitching class, Co-ED softball and church league More information and registration can be found in the program catalog
Dive-in Movies at Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center: Willmar Parks and Rec will be hosting two free movie nights this year at the Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center Movies will be shown
Friday, June 30 at 8:30 p m and Friday, July 21 at 8 p m Movies will be announced on the Willmar Parks and Recreation Facebook page Check the Willmar Parks and
Recreation Facebook page for more information
Willmar Community Education from Willmar Public Schools holds education and enrichment activities for kids and adults Topics include art, nature, music, first aid, estate planning and so much more The entire listing for community education, as well as registration and information on fees, is at www willmar k12 mn us/Domain/13
Home Alone: A class that will teach children from Grades 2 and up about staying home alone Topics covered will include safe habits, house rules, after-school routines, pet emergencies, personal safety and first aid Students attend the class independently, though parents are encouraged to review the take home materials and discuss them with their children Program to be held Aug 29
Nature Days: Hands-on activities and games to better understand the forest, prairie, and wetlands at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center Classes will take place July 11-13 at the Prairie Woods main building
Theater: Various theater and acting programs for students of all ages will be held by Community Ed including a workshop about learning to manipulate 6- to 10-foot tall largescale puppets, a workshop about the Barn Theatre and putting on a production of “Princess and the Pea ” Fairy Garden Rock Painting: Youth and adult art class on how to paint fairy garden rocks; ages 5 and up are welcome Program will take place July 22 at Jefferson Learning Center
Cultural Awareness Workshop: This workshop series focuses on encouraging cultural awareness for youth and adults through practical activities Discussion topics include stereotypes, social skills, social expectations, people’s differences and similarities, facts vs opinions, inclusion vs exclusion, biases and lookism through practical exercises
The series takes place Monday evenings May 15 through July 10
Willmar Community and Activity Center, located at 624 Business Highway 71 NE, has programs, special
events and services structured to meet a wide variety of needs and wants from a play area for children, socialization for senior citizens and events and classes for all ages The center is a place to meet friendly people, read the newspaper or a book, have a cup of coffee, take advantage of health, wellness, computer and woodshop opportunities and participate in continuous free activities from concerts and dances to games, crafts and cooking lessons
For more information and upcoming events, visit the Community Parks and Rec website, the Community Center Facebook page or call 320-262-5288
Swansson Field Recreational Complex is located at Willmar Avenue Southwest For spectator sports, check out the city softball leagues played Monday through Friday at the Swansson Field complex, which has ample bleacher space for fans to cheer on their favorite teams Baker Field at Bill Taunton Stadium, home to the Willmar Stingers, has more
than 100 amateur games played, with concessions sold at each game
The Willmar Civic Center and Events and Recreation Center hosts a wide range of events and activities from sports to trade shows Areas within the center can be rented for events
More information available at www willmarmn gov/civic_center/index and www willmarmn gov/parks_and_ recreation_land/events_recreation_ center
The Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA, located at 1000 Lakeland Dr SE in Willmar, offers a wide variety of programs for area and summer residents, including birthday parties, Child Watch, child care, preschool and school-age activities, Kids’ Club, mentoring, programs for active older adults, health and wellness programs and events for youth and adults, lifeguard training, swimming lessons and summer camp
For more information, visit www kandiymca org
When it comes to fishing, Kandiyohi County is all about choices
Few places on the planet are blessed with so much blue water surrounded by rich fields of corn and soybeans
These waters are easily accessible to anglers of all ages — by boat, dock or shoreline
There are more than 25 fishing lakes in the county, most north of U S Highway 12 Some are secluded; others are well-settled Some are deep, some shallow, some are sprawling and others compact Walleye and northern pike are abundant Bass fishing also is a draw on many lakes Pan fishing for crappies, bluegills and sunfish is enjoyed on most of the water bodies
Local knowledge is found at bait and station stores scattered throughout the lakes area Helpful sources are found, too, at county and private campgrounds, at the state park and all resorts
A pole, a bobber and a worm on a hook gets you started At the right spot on a quiet lake, wading or dock fishing can bring the same big smiles as radar fishing for trophy fish in a high-tech bass boat
Minnows, leeches and the always popular crawlers can be found at bait
shops around the Little Crow Lakes area Please look for the list of bait shops in this publication
Remember, fishing is one-part knowledge, two parts luck and 100% worthwhile
The information in the lake capsules that follows is provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division
LAKE ANDREW
Maximum depth: 26 feet
Acres: 814
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, and largemouth bass Walleye adult, fingerlings and yearlings are stocked every other year Numbers and sizes of walleyes are good
Water clarity: 7 83 feet
Structure: Abundant emergent vegetation, including bulrush
Accesses: one in Sibley State Park and one on the south shore
BASS LAKE
Maximum depth: 31 feet
Acres: 52
Fishing: The primary gamefish species that anglers have sought include largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and northern pike
Water clarity: 3 feet
Structure: Emergent vegetation (bulrush) is present along the northeast and southeast corners Water quality
and clarity are moderate, but algae blooms can occur during the late summer months Submergent vegetation densities (pondweed species) have been historically variable in the lake
Access: access is on the north side of lake, with parking and turnaround limited
BIG KANDIYOHI LAKE
Maximum depth: 15 feet
Acres: 2,692; length of shoreline: 10 4 miles
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike and channel catfish The lake is stocked with walleye fry
Water clarity: 2 5 feet
Structure: Little structure and few submerged beds of vegetation
Access: northeast side and southwest side of the lake
CALHOUN LAKE
Maximum depth: 10 feet
Acres: 618
Fishing: Northern pike, bluegill and crappies Walleye may be found due to a connection to Green Lake by the Middle Fork Crow River
Water clarity: 6 3 feet
Structure: Abundant submerged and emergent vegetation
Access: southeast corner of the lake
LAKE CARRIE
Maximum depth: 26 feet
Acres: 81
Fishing: Bluegill, crappie, yellow perch
Kandiyohi County is home to more than 25 fishing lakes
and northern pike
Water clarity: 3 3 feet
Structure: Submergent vegetation is limited to water depths less than two feet
Access: west side of the lake
CROW RIVER RESERVOIR
Maximum depth: 14 feet
Acres: 855
Fishing: Northern pike, some crappies and walleye Walleye are not stocked Nor thern pike are abundant and of average size
Water clarity: Moderately turbid
Structure: Moderate structure with abundant submerged vegetation, especially in protected bays
Accesses: In New London at State Highway 9 bridge and County Road 31 bridge and one-half mile north of New London
DIAMOND LAKE
Maximum depth: 27 feet
Acres: 1,565
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike, bluegills and crappies Walleye fingerlings are stocked when natural reproduction is inadequate Quality northerns are common
Water clarity: 11 feet
Structure: Moderate structure with some bulrush stands on the east shore and north point
Accesses: southeast side and west side of the lake
EAGLE LAKE
Maximum depth: 67 feet
Acres: 824
Fishing: Bluegill, sunfish and perch are abundant Walleye and northern pike are present, but lower in number The lake is stocked for walleye, and a northern pike spawning area is operated
Water clarity: 8 5 feet
Structure: Moderate
Access: south end of the lake
EAST SOLOMON LAKE
Maximum depth: 14 feet
Acres: 706
Fishing: In recent years, anglers have reported good fishing success for walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass Walleye fry or fingerlings are stocked into East Solomon every even year
Water clarity: 12 feet
Structure: Aquatic vegetation stands (hardstem bulrush, pondweeds, etc ) are common
Access: northeast side of the lake off of County Road 5
LAKE ELIZABETH
Maximum depth: 9 feet
Acres: 1,054
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike and
crappies The lake is stocked for walleye Nor thern pike angling is good
Water clarity: 3 feet
Structure: Little structure with limited submerged vegetation
Access: north side of the lake
ELKHORN LAKE
Maximum depth: 41 feet
Acres: 87
Fishing: Fishing pressure is relatively low in Elkhorn Lake Anglers generally seek northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill or black crappie
Water clarity: 12 5 feet
Structure: Submergent vegetation is moderately abundant within the shallow areas
Access: east side of lake off of a residential gravel road that ties into County Road 8
LAKE ELLA
Maximum depth: 12 feet
Acres: 136
Fishing: The lake is managed for walleye as the primary species with crappies, yellow perch, northern pike, largemouth bass, and bluegill as secondary species
Water clarity: 2 25 feet
Structure: Submergent vegetation is rare and limited to water depths less than one foot
Access: southeast side of the lake along County Road 86
LAKE FLORIDA
Maximum depth: 40 feet
Acres: 674
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike and bluegill Florida is a good early-season walleye producer
Water clarity: 10 5 feet
Structure: Some structures on the northwest shore
Access: north side of the lake
FOOT LAKE
Maximum depth: 24 feet
Acres: 694
Fishing: Walleye, black crappie and bluegill The two basin lake has been stocked for walleye and channel catfish
Water clarity: 3 feet
Structure: Limited structure with moderate submerged vegetation
Accesses: south shore in the county fairgrounds for northwest basin, southeast shore in Robbins Island Regional Park for the southeast basin
GAMES LAKE
Maximum depth: 42 feet
Acres: 515
Fishing: Northern pike, bluegill and some crappie, walleye and largemouth bass
Water clarity: 8 5 feet
Structure: Emergent vegetation (bulrush) is moderate in Games Lake (northwest shore and bay areas, east shore areas) Submergent vegetation densities within the lake are moderately abundant within the littoral zone areas
Access: southeast corner of the lake
GEORGE LAKE
Maximum depth: 24 feet
Acres: 224
Fishing: Northern pike, bluegill and some crappie, walleye and largemouth bass
Water clarity: 11 feet
Structure: Limited structure with moderate submerged vegetation
Access: northwest corner of the lake
GREEN LAKE
Maximum depth: 110 feet
Acres: 5,406
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, and smallmouth and largemouth bass Walleye stocking has occurred every year with fry, fingerling, yearling and adult
Water clarity: 8 6 feet
Structure: Abundant structure and limited vegetation Low densities of Eurasian water milfoil have been documented in Green Lake primarily
near the Spicer public access, swimming beach, city dock, Indian Beach Lagoon, and several isolated areas since 2000
Accesses: There are five public accesses around the lake
HENDERSON LAKE
Maximum depth: 57 feet
Acres: 73
Fishing: Local anglers have experienced good fishing success in recent years for a variety of species — including bluegill, northern pike, sunfish and yellow perch — in Henderson
Water clarity: 13 67 feet
Structure: Submergent vegetation stands (coontail, water moss, bushy pondweed, flatstem pondweed) are moderate in density
Access: north side off of County Road 10
LAKE LILLIAN
Maximum depth: 7 8 feet
Acres: 1,149
Fishing: Lillian is managed for walleye as the primary species with northern pike, crappies and yellow perch as secondary species
Water clarity: 6 feet
Structure: Submergent vegetation was generally sparse throughout the lake
Access: northeast side of the lake, ¼-mile west of County Road 4
LONG LAKE (HAWICK)
Maximum depth: 46 feet
Acres: 286
Fishing: Northern pike, bluegill, walleye and largemouth bass There is a 12-inch maximum size limit on largemouth bass with one bass over 20 inches allowed
Water clarity: 10 5 feet
Structure: Moderate structure with submerged and emergent vegetation
Accesses: northwest end and northeast shore of the lake
LONG LAKE (WILLMAR)
Maximum depth: 16 feet
Acres: 1,575
Fishing: Walleye Nor thern pike and walleye are present in moderate numbers
Water clarity: 10 58 feet
Structure: Moderate structure with submerged and emergent vegetation
Accesses: northeast side and south side of the lake
NEST LAKE
Maximum depth: 40 feet
Acres: 945
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie and smallmouth bass Walleye fingerlings are stocked every other year
Water clarity: 5 4 feet
Structure: Some islands and structure, abundant submerged vegetation on the north and east shores
Accesses: west and east sides of the lake
NORWAY LAKE
Maximum depth: 33 feet
Acres: 2,344
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass Walleye fingerlings are stocked when natural reproduction is inadequate, and a northern pike spawning area is operated Good-size northern pike are available
Water clarity: 3 5 feet
Structure: Main lake has moderate structure and points and bays The west basin has little structure Eurasian water milfoil was found scattered throughout the West Norway basin in August of 2001 and in the Big Norway basin during 2005 Eurasian milfoil is present at low to moderate densities in the West Norway and Big Norway basins
Accesses: south shore of the main lake and south shore of the west basin of the lake
POINT LAKE
Maximum depth: 32 feet
Acres: 164
Fishing: Bluegill, northern pike, walleye and yellow perch
Water clarity: 5 83 feet
Structure: Submergent (muskgrass, filamentous algae, sago pondweed) and emergent vegetation (hardstem bulrush, reed canary grass) stands are abundant to common
Access: east end of lake off of U S Highway 71
RINGO LAKE
Maximum depth: 10 feet
Acres: 716
Fishing: Walleye, northern pike and crappie The lake is stocked for walleye Ringo is a good early-season lake for one- to three-pound walleyes
Water clarity: 1 17 feet
Structure: Limited structure with abundant emergent vegetation, including bulrush
Accesses: north side of the lake; shore fishing structures have been placed on the northeast shore of the lake off Highway 71
SWENSON LAKE
Maximum depth: 14 feet
Acres: 109
Fishing: The DNR manages the lake for walleye, northern pike, black crappie, and bluegill
Water clarity: 6 feet
Structure: Aquatic vegetation (sago pondweed, coontail, hardstem bulrush) species and densities are limited within the lake
Access: north shore one mile east of County Road 1
LAKE WAKANDA
Maximum depth: 15 feet
Acres: 1,664
Fishing: Walleye fry are generally stocked every other year or after years of poor fry survival
Water clarity: 1 foot
Structure: Submergent vegetation densities are variable in Wakanda Sago pondweed is usually the most frequently occurring submergent species Bluegreen algae blooms are often intense and common during mid to late summer months
Accesses: southeast side off of County Road 3 and north side two miles east of
WEST CENTRAL AREA BAIT SHOPS
Kandiyohi County Big
Kandiyohi Lake West
320-995-6599
Kandiyohi County Big Kandiyohi Lake East
320-664-4707
Kandiyohi County
Diamond Lake
320-974-8520
Kandiyohi County Games Lake
320-354-4453
Kandiyohi County Green Lake
320-796-5564
J&J Highway 71 Bait and Tackle at Eagle Lake, Willmar 320-235-4097
Barney’s on Eagle Lake, Willmar 320-231-9708
Runnings Outdoors, Montevideo 320-269-6025
Hilltop Stop, Paynesville 320-243-3133
Mel’s Sports Shop, Spicer 320-796-2421
Mitlyng’s Bait and Tackle, Watson 320-269-5593
Pete’s Surplus, New London
320-354-2626
Runnings, Willmar 320-235-1325
Schmidty’s, Darwin 320-693-0019
Skindelien’s Bait, New London
320-354-2423
Wakanda Bait, Svea 320-995-6121
U S Highway 71 and 1 5 miles south of County Road 88
WILLMAR LAKE
Maximum depth: 14 feet
Acres: 435
Fishing: Walleye, channel catfish and some crappies Walleye fry are stocked every other year Good shore fishing Walleye in the one- to threepound range are abundant
Water clarity: 2 feet
Structure: Moderate structure with fair emergent vegetation
Access: southwest shore on Robbins Island Regional Park
When you’re looking for a place to “park yourself” for a picnic, a weekend getaway in a tent or a monthlong stay in an RV, there are numerous state, county, community and private parks and campgrounds in west central Minnesota to meet the desires of every camping and outdoor enthusiast
These parks are wrapped in — and around — the area’s diverse environment of lakes, woods and prairie landscapes, and draw people from all over the country
Whether you want to go fishing on freshwater lakes, swimming and sunbathing on sandy beaches, biking on miles of trails, horseback riding, birding, geocaching or sightseeing, there is a park in the area to meet your recreational wishlist
Kandiyohi County’s seven parks feature a variety of beautiful accommodations for a summer getaway
Sitting on the edge of gorgeous freshwater lakes ringed with mature native trees, the parks provide easy access to swimming, fishing, boating and stunning sunsets
Five of the parks have campgrounds, with space available to accommodate
large recreational vehicles and cozy enough for tents and campfires to make family vacations complete
The parks are located in different corners of the county; each park has a different topography and offers different amenities that provide unique experiences to campers and day visitors
Most of the county parks feature playgrounds, picnic areas, modern restrooms, camp stores, swimming beaches and boat accesses, to name a few of the popular amenities The number of campsites vary at each park, as well as the number of campsites that have access to electricity, sewer or water
The camping fees are different at each park, with seasonal and weekly camping rates available at most For more detailed information about fees and amenities, call the individual parks or access the county’s website at www co kandiyohi mn us
All reservations will be online at www kcmn us/departments/county_parks/ index
Big Kandiyohi Lake County Park West is located on the west side of Big Kandiyohi Lake, 10 miles south of Willmar
The lake is known for northern, walleye, bullhead and crappie fishing year-round In the spring, the park is known for its excellent crappie fishing in the bay, next to
the campground, which has 94 campsites
The park also has a swimming beach, camp store, modern showers and toilets, playground, boat access, picnic area, a shelter, camping pads, campsites with water and electricity, gas and a dump station Call 320-995-6599 for more information
Big Kandiyohi Lake County Park East is located on the east side of Big Kandiyohi Lake, 18 miles south of Willmar, or six miles north of Lake Lillian off County Road 8 The park, which has 80 campsites, has an excellent sandy swimming beach and access to shoreline fishing with walleye, northern, crappies and bullheads popular and frequent catches The park has a beach, boat access, camp store, playground, picnic area, shelter, modern showers and toilets, campsites with electricity, gas, bait and a dump station Call 320-664-4707 for more information
Diamond Lake County Park is located on Diamond Lake’s western shore and has 60 campsites It is located four miles north of Atwater, or 6 miles southeast of Spicer, on County Road 4 Diamond Lake is known for its lunker walleyes and scrappy northerns The campground has sites with access to water, sewer and electricity, and the park also has a beach, boat access, camp store, bait, gas,
Private, county and state parks offer variety of camping experiences
playground, picnic area, shelter, camping pads, modern showers and toilets, and a dump station Call 320-974-8520 for more information
Saulsbury Beach County Park is on the southern shore of Green Lake and located in the heart of the city of Spicer It features a shady picnic area and popular swimming beach, with lifeguards on duty from 1 to 5 p m and 6 to 8 p m There are changing rooms and toilet facilities in the park and a boat access is located next to the park There are no campsites at this park
Green Lake County Park is on the northeast shore of Green Lake, a deep lake that’s popular for its clear water, good fishing and boating recreation The park is located five miles north of the city of Spicer on Northshore Drive The park has 61 campsites with camping pads, water, sewer and electricity available The park also features a swimming beach, boat access, camp store, game room, playground, picnic area, shelter, modern showers, toilets, bait and gas Call 320796-5564 for more information
Lake Carrie County Park is a small secluded park located on Lake Carrie, five miles southeast of Atwater on a dead-end gravel road off of Kandiyohi County Road 86 It includes a boat
landing and large grassy parking area but no camping The clear water of Lake Carrie is a popular spot for anglers
Games Lake County Park is located on the east shore of Games Lake, which is part of the “Norway Lake Chain of Lakes” which includes 2,800 acres of water known for excellent fishing, including northern pike and bluegill The park is 14 miles north of Willmar, or 9 miles northwest of New London, on County Road 5 The campground has 56 campsites with camping pads, and access to water and electricity and five camper cabins The popular park features a sandy swimming beach with lifeguards on duty from 1 to 5 p m and 6 to 8 p m , a large picnic area, enclosed picnic shelters that can be reserved for events, game room, playground, modern showers and toilets, boat access, boat rental, bait, gas and dump station Besides having typical services and camp accessories, this park store also features a restaurant with meals served all day Call 320-354-4453 for more information
The Renville County parks offer a quiet getaway for those who enjoy the outdoors The county manages seven parks, six of which offer camping Six of the parks are located along
the Minnesota River and offer hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping opportunities in the quiet of the river valley woodlands and bluffs Lake Allie is located on the lake of the same name and offers 17 RV campsites with electric and water There are a total of 73 camping sites available for reservation among the county parks
The county website for the parks offers online reservations or call 320-523-3747
There are privately owned resorts, campgrounds and an RV campground in the region Many offer cabins, camping, and boat and motor rentals at a variety of locations on lakes
Information about what those businesses have to offer can be obtained by looking at their ads in this section or by calling the Willmar Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 320235-3552
Reservations are required.
All campsites in Minnesota state parks and recreation areas now require a reservation before they may be occupied The park system recommends making reservations before leaving home because cellphone coverage and wi-fi
For spontaneous campers, there are same-day reservations with no reservation fees available whether you’re booking your site from home, from the road or even from the park
To reserve a campsite, go to www dnr state mn us/state_parks/stay_overnight/ index or call 866-857-2757 from 8 a m to 8 p m
To visit the parks, vehicles are required to have a vehicle permit Daily permits are $7 and annual permits are $35 Permits are good at all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for a full year from the month of purchase
Located south of Fairfax, Fort Ridgely State Park features the Fort Ridgely Historic Site, several campgrounds, two picnic areas, fishing, 1930s-era historic stone buildings and 13 miles of hiking and horse trails
The Fort Ridgely Historic Site contains the ruins of a military outpost Built in 1853, it was used as a training base for Civil War volunteers and to provide protection during an influx of immigrants to the Dakota Territory The fort came under attack during the U S-Dakota War of 1862
The fort was abandoned by the Army in 1867, fell into disrepair, and in the 1930s the Veteran Conservation Corp began restoring the buildings The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970
The site hosts a museum and restored foundations that are managed by the Nicollet County Historical Society The historic site grounds are open for selfguided tours and the museum is open Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day The park also contains several graves and monuments connected to the U S -Dakota War at the Fort Ridgely Cemetery
A paved, 7-mile bike trail connects the town of Fairfax to the park Camping: There are 33 drive-in campsites at the campground, including 15 electrical sites There are also three secluded walk-in sites and one group campsite that are about 1,000 feet from the parking area Water spigots and vault toilets are available, however there are no flush toilets or showers available in the main campground
A horse camp has 14 sites, including 13 with electricity Water is available at each horse campsite The horse campground also has a modern toilet and shower building Box stalls are available to rent
A farmhouse that sleeps six people is
one picnic shelter can be rented by the day
The park is located at 72158 County Road 30, Fairfax, MN 55332
For more information, call 507-4267840 or email fortridgely statepark@ state mn us
Tucked away in the quiet, rolling hills of Minnesota’s glacial terrain near the city of Starbuck, this park offers miles of hiking and horseback trails, swimming and fishing in the cool, clear water of Signalness (Mountain) Lake, Kettle Lake and Baby Lake — which are known for their panfish
Stand on top of the scenic glacial hills and experience the vast, open prairie which once dominated Minnesota Wildflowers and prairie grasses blanket the landscape from spring through fall
A shady, spacious campground is available; horseback riders and backpack campers can camp at the horse camp and at remote sites A picnic area deck overlooks Signalness Lake
The park is located five miles south of Starbuck
Camping: The main campsite is located on Signalness Lake It has 37 drive-in sites, 14 with electricity, and access to modern restrooms There are two seasonal camper cabins and four year-round camper cabins
The park has four walk-in or backpack campsites scattered throughout the park for quiet and remote camping Some of the sites involve a short hike of one-tenth of a mile, to one remote site on Baby Lake that can only be accessed by making a 2½-mile hike
The horse camp has eight sites A horse trail pass is required for every rider 16 years and up
The Southeast Group Campsite, which can accommodate up to 50 people, has a picnic shelter with lights and outlets, space for tents, small trailers and campers
The park has rowboats, canoes and kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards available for rent in the summer
The park is located at 25022 County Road 41, Starbuck, MN 56381
For more information, call the park at 320-239-2860 or email glaciallakes statepark@state mn us
Lac qui Parle State Park is a birdlovers’ paradise with thousands of migratory Canada geese and other waterfowl using the area as flight stopover The park, near the city of Watson, is located alongside the 33,000-acre Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area, with Marsh Lake serving as an important nesting area for the white pelican Lac qui Parle is the French translation for “lake that speaks,” which is the name the Dakota Indians gave to the lake, perhaps because of its large bird population that creates a chorus of honking and quacking — especially during spring and autumn
The park isn’t just for the birds, however Lac qui Parle Lake is known as one of the state’s best walleye fishing lakes Paddle the lake or cast a line and catch walleye, northerns, perch or crappie; explore one of the trails by foot or horseback; and visit the historic Fort
Camping: The 30-acre upper campground has 43 camping sites, including 37 with electricity and nine that have electricity, water and sewer hookups The lower campground has 24 sites with electricity at 21 sites
Tent camping is available throughout the park There are three walk-in sites that offer more secluded, primitive camping
There are three seasonal camper cabins with electric heat
A modern shower building with toilets is available
There are two rustic group campsites for tent camping only that can each accommodate up to 50 people There is no electricity and no modern toilet facilities at the group camps
The park has a swimming beach, boat access, hiking trails and horse trails and several beautiful pieces of native prairie
There are several significant historic sites attached to the park, and the park itself is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places
The park is located at 14047 20th Street Northwest, Watson, MN 56295
For more information, call the park at 320-734-4450 or email lacquiparle statepark@state mn us
Located in the northeast edge of Swift County south of the small town of Sunburg, Monson Lake State Park offers a quiet getaway and a popular fishing spot
Anglers look for walleye, northern pike, bass, sunfish and crappies in the water of Monson Lake Bird lovers are drawn to the same, quiet lake to observe pelicans, herons and western grebes The small park offers a gentle reprieve amidst towering hardwood trees
This is a historic site of the Dakota Conflict of 1862 and was created as a memorial park The interpretive signs offer visitors an opportunity to discover the stories that took place on site from early settlers to Veterans of WWI who built the park
Camping: There are 20 drive-in sites, including six electrical sites A modern shower building with toilets is available
The park is located at 1690 15th Street Northeast, Sunburg, MN 56289
For information about Monson Lake
State Park, call 320-3542055 or email monsonlake atepark@ state mn us
Sibley State Park, located off U S Highway 71 west of New London, is one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks
Situated on nearly 2,500 acres of rolling hills and lakes, the park encompasses some of the region’s finest glacial topography
Mount Tom — one of the highest points in 50 miles — provides a breathtaking vista of the park and neighboring lakes and farms Naturalist programs, recreational facilities, biking, horseback riding and hiking trails let visitors explore the park’s beauty
The Interpretive Center offers three exhibit rooms, a wildlife observation deck, a big screen auditorium, and a trail center Visit the DNR web page to see what naturalist programs are being offered They are free to the public
During the summer months, naturalist programs are offered throughout the week with highlighted hikes, Junior Park Naturalist and evening programs on most Friday and Saturday nights
Camping: There are a total of 132 drive-in sites at the park The Lakeview campground, which is close to the shores of Lake Andrew, has 74 sites with 53 having electric hook-ups
There are 34 electric and 24 non-electric sites at the Oak Ridge campground, located in a combination of wooded hills and grass prairie settings
Both campgrounds have modern bathrooms
There are four camper cabins in the park Three cabins sleep six and the fourth, handicapped-accessible cabin, sleeps five The year-round cabins feature built-in tables with benches, electrical heat and lights, screen porches, and both an outdoor picnic table and fire ring Remember to bring your own bedding; cooking via coffee pots and crock pots is allowed inside the cabin
A separate horse camp offers nine sites Three group camps for tents only
The park is located at 800 Sibley Park Road Northeast, New London, MN 56273
For information about Sibley State Park, call 320-354-2055 or email sibley statepark@state mn us
Want to quench your thirst with gasoline? You may want to drink in the various race tracks around West Central Minnesota this summer
On the oval dirt tracks, there’s KRA Speedway in Willmar on Thursday nights, Fiesta City Speedway in Montevideo on Friday nights and the Madison Speedway on Saturdays All three tracks are sanctioned by WISSOTA and feature Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Street Stock, Hornets and Pure Stock KRA also features Mod Fours, while Fiesta City and Madison both have Lake Model racing
For the most highspeed action, NHRA racers compete in drag races at the Grove Creek Raceway outside of Grove City Classes there include Sportsmen, Super Pro, Pro Street, Street Eliminator, Junior Dragsters, Superbikes and Sleds
Meanwhile, in Atwater, Karting Speedway has kart racing for rookies, juniors and adults on Saturday evenings with racers
age from 5-to-72 years old Atwater is free for spectators
ATWATER KARTING SPEEDWAY
One mile east, half-mile southeast of Atwater
Season: May 6 to Sept 8
Racing: Saturdays 5:30 p m , pits open at 2 p m
Admission: Free
Concessions on grounds
Lineup: Caged and noncaged divisions, rookies, juniors, adult
Motto: “Where kids get hooked on dirt ”
Information: Contact president Angela Hansen, 320-368-2522
Website: www atwaterkartingspeedway com
About 75% of racers are youths between ages 6-15.
GROVE CREEK RACEWAY Drag racing, 2 miles east of Grove City
Season: May 14 to Oct 1
Racing: Gates open at 8 a m for Day Drag Races, time trials start at 9:30 a m ; trials start at 3 p m for Night Drag Races
Grandstand/pit admission: Adults $16, students (ages 7 to 12) $6, 6 and under, free; camping $10/night, cash or
check only
The Scoop: NHRA, Division 5 member; Money & Trophy Eliminator, Jr Dragster Series plus All-Street Nite (NHRA Street Legal Drags)
Classes: Money Eliminator, Trophy Eliminator, Junior Street, Junior Dragster, Street Drags
Information: Promoter Rick Austin, 612-280-7301; track phone, 320-857-2152
Website: www grovecreek com
FIESTA CITY SPEEDWAY
Chippewa County Fairgrounds, Montevideo
Season: May 5 to August 25 (championship)
Racing: Fridays, 7 p m
Admission: Adults are $15; ages 12 and under are free; pit gates are $30
Sanctioning: WISSOTA
Lineup: Late Models, Street Stocks, Modifieds, Midwest Modifieds, Super Stock, Hornets
Information: Promoter
Juanita Knutson
Website: www fiestacityspeedway com
KRA SPEEDWAY
Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds, Willmar
Season: May 25 to Aug 31
Racing: Thursdays, 7 p m
Admission: Adults are $12 (specials extra); ages 17 and under are free with paid adult; season pass is $125; pit entry is $30
Sanctioning: WISSOTA
Track: 3/8-mile semi-bank dirt track
Lineup: Modifieds, Super Stock, Street Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Mod-4, Hornets, Pure Stock
Information: Kandi Racing Association (KRA), 320-9059280
Website: www kraspeedway com
MADISON SPEEDWAY
Lac qui Parle Valley Fairgrounds, Madison
Season: May 29 to Sept 30
Racing: Saturdays, 7 p m
Admission: Adults are $15; kids 12 and under are free; drivers and pit crew are $30
Sanctioning: WISSOTA
Track: 3/8-mile high-bank oval
Lineup: WISSOTA Modified, Super Stock, Midwest Modified, Street Stocks and Hornets Information: Troy, 320-2265365; Jackie, 320-295-1976
Website: www madisonspeedwaymn com
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Threshing shows and old machinery are featured at Heritage Hill, Hanley Falls, Atwater and Forest City, with a Summer Rendezvous also taking place at the Forest City Stockade during the Forest City Threshers show Be sure and check websites or Facebook pages for current information closer to the events
The Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power and Machinery Association will have its annual show June 16-17 The tractor feature is “military-related machinery and equipment ” The Fairbanks-Morse engine line will also be featured The Heritage Hill show site is four miles east of Montevideo on the corner of Minnesota Highway 7 and Chippewa County Road 7 More information can be found online at www heritagehill us and on Facebook at www facebook com/ heritagehillshow
The Good Old Days & Pioneer Threshing Show will be Aug 5-6 on the grounds of the Minnesota Machinery Museum in Hanley Falls This year’s feature can be found on its Facebook page or its website at www mnmachinerymuseum com
The Forest City Threshers show and Summer Rendezvous will be Aug 19-20 at the Forest City Threshing grounds and the Forest City Stockade The Summer Rendezvous is a reminder of how life was like back in 1862 You can tour historic buildings and enjoy different periodspecific activities and food while checking out the goods offered by those participating in the rendezvous The Forest City Threshers features old machinery as well as different historical buildings featuring the history of the community
Admission to each of the events is $5 ages 12 and older For more information, visit www forestcitystockade org and www forestcitythresher com, or on Facebook at www facebook com/ Forest-City-Stockade and www facebook com/ forestcitythreshers
Threshing Days will be Sept 9-10 at the site on the east side of Atwater
Admission charged Check the website at www atwaterthreshingdays com or its Facebook page at www facebook com/ Atwater-Threshing-Days for this year’s features
Old-fashioned fun Old-fashioned fun Threshing shows, pioneer history and more are taking place this summer
The Glacial Lakes Recreation Trail provides plenty of opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities across Kandiyohi County’s prairie lakes region
The trail is paved with asphalt for 22 miles between Willmar, Spicer, New London, Hawick and the Kandiyohi/Stearns County line A seven-mile stretch from Roscoe to Cold Spring is also paved, but sections may be closed this summer due to road construction
The segment from Willmar to New London
has 10 miles of parallel, grass treadway for horseback riding, while the New London to the Kandiyohi/Stearns County line segment has grass shoulders to accommodate this activity
The smooth-surfaced trail winds through the heart of the county’s scenic resort communities, lakes and wooded hills
The gently rolling topography of Central Minnesota was created by glaciers retreating 10,000 years ago The trail cuts across the border between Minnesota’s
western tallgrass prairie and eastern deciduous forest Though much of the area has been cultivated, remnants of virgin prairie, wetlands and scattered woodlots can still be found along the railroad right-ofway
There are numerous places along the trail to stop and enjoy lakeside views Popular swimming areas at Saulsbury Beach on Green Lake in Spicer and the Mill Pond in New London are close to the trail
Trail users can also watch the waterfowl in
wetlands, spot wildlife — such as white-tail deer and butterflies — in the rollinghill woodlots along the trail and enjoy refreshments at unique restaurants, icecream shops and coffee shops in Spicer and New London
Primary summer use of the developed trail includes hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and in-line skating
The Glacial Lakes Trail connects to Sibley State Park near New London via three miles of paved shoulder along County Road 148
In Paynesville it connects
to the 20-mile Lake Koronis Recreation Trail around Lake Koronis
There are five parking lots to use the trail Find them on the PDF map on the DNR website www dnr state mn us/state_trails/ glacial_lakes/
To the south, Cosmos marks the western end of the Luce Line Trail, a 63-mile long trail that begins in the Twin Cities suburb of Plymouth The trail consists of a natural surface from Cosmos to Winsted It goes through mostly rural countryside that includes surviving tracts of tall-grass prairie
Both the Glacial Lakes Trail and the Luce Line Trail follow former railroad lines
They are maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
PARKING FOR THE GLACIAL LAKES RECREATION TRAIL
Willmar: Take U S Highway 12 east to County Road 9 Turn north and go two miles to parking lot on west (left) at the Civic Center
Spicer: At the junction of state Highway 23 and County Road 10 Parking lot west off Highway 23 East Nest Lake Public Water Access: Two miles
north of Spicer on Highway 23 and one-half mile west on the Township Road
New London: Off state Highway 23 and follow state Highway 9 north to public water access parking lot on east (right)
Hawick: Nor th side of town, at the intersection of state Highway 23 and County Road 2
Share the trail with others:
► Stay on designated trail
► Keep right so others can pass
► Keep all pets on leash/ dispose of pet waste
► Obey traffic signs and rules
► Pack out all garbage and litter
► Respect adjoining landowners’ rights and privacy
► Warn other trail users when passing by giving an audible signal Some horses may be spooked by quiet bikers or in-line skaters Let them know you are passing
► Camping and campfires are not permitted on the Glacial Lakes State Trail
► Enjoy the beauty of wild plants & animals, but leave them undisturbed for all to enjoy
