This past weekend, I headed to The Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield. Part of an annual event held the weekend after Labor Day, this festival began in 1948 as the “Fall Festival” including “Jesse James Day” on that Saturday. History on the namesake: On September 7, 1876, eight men rode into downtown Northfield […]
If you love the North Shore, there is no better way to see it than from above. Lake Superior Helicopters opened in 2009 and allow you to see one of the largest tourist destinations in the midwest. I loved the experience, from the office staff to the pilot. Worth snagging a tour this summer. They […]
GIVEAWAY! This time of year, I am constantly having visions of all the fun things I am planning to do over the summer. Hike the North Shore, lay on the beach, and more than anything, get on the water. I have a feeling some of you might feel the same as I do. Because of […]
Another tradition to add to your holiday docket; The European Christmas Market in St. Paul. Located on the East Plaza of Union Depot, it is a traditional, charming, and festive open-air Market that is reminiscent of the Cologne Christmas Market in Germany, the Tuomaan Markkinat in Helsinki, the Viennese Dream Christmas Market and Salzburg Christkindlmarkt in Austria, the Christmas in Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Christkindesmäkir in Strasbourg, […]
The Minnesota Governors Pheasant Hunting Opener is one of my favorite annual events. Held in Austin this year, the #MNGPHO was established in 2011 by Gov. Mark Dayton. The event focuses on Minnesota’s hunting heritage, cultural traditions and the economic impact of the sport. Hunting is a longstanding tradition in Minnesota and these kinds of […]
For the 4th of July this year, I decided to head to Brookston. Brookston is located on the northern edge of the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation and is about 17 miles from Cloquet. The town is roughly a half a mile, with only a handful of businesses; a post office, Houle’igans Saloon, Larry’s Country […]
This year, Albert Lea hosted the Minnesota Governors Fishing Opener. Now in its 72nd year, it is the kickoff to the Minnesota summer tourism season. The #MNGFO has been a tradition in since 1948. Put on through the partnership of Explore Minnesota Tourism and the host community, the event helps to showcase the city and […]
Today marks the 45th MayDay Parade and Festival and it certainly didn’t disappoint! The free event took place in the Powderhorn neighborhood in South Minneapolis and ran noon to dusk. In the Heart of the Beast Theater (HOTB)’s annual MayDay Parade, Ceremony, and Festival has been a staple in the Twin Cities area and is […]
If you are starting to get stir crazy hiding from the dropping temperature, I may have a way for you to fight the cabin fever. The Mermaid Entertainment and Event Center in Mounds View is the place to go. Start with a state-of-the-art 32-lane bowling center, sprinkle in a Sports Bar and Grille and add […]
In case you haven’t heard of Bartz Snow Sculptures, let me introduce you. Inspired by a trip to Florida, Austin, Trevor and Connor Bartz began creating snow sculptures of sea creatures in 2012. Their first sculpture was Puffy, a 6-foot-tall Pufferfish. They have since had Wally theWalrus, Sharky the Shark, Snappy the Turtle, Finnegan the […]
I have another event to add to your December traditions; The St Paul European Christmas Market held on the East Plaza at Union Depot! The market was inspired by “Christkindlmarkt,” an outdoor open-air holiday market and festival common across central European countries during the Advent season. Since the Middle Ages, this 500-year-old world tradition fosters […]
The Governors Pheasant Hunting Opener (#MNGPHO2018) is one of my favorite events of the year. It brings much of what I love about Minnesota together; allowing you to brave the crisp, morning air, feel the warmth release and rise from the covered ground as you quietly make your way across the field, while the wind […]
Good morning, Minnesota. Is that a new coat you’re wearing? It looks amazing! Even though I woke up in the southwestern-most corner of Minnesota like this, I’ll be telling you all about blaze orange and warm weather of the #mngpho2018 over the next two weeks. Hosted by the incredible Luverne community, you can expect to […]
Minnesota. State. Fair. In all it’s deep-fried, hyped, once-a-year but every year no-matter-what glory! The “Great Minnesota Get-Together” is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, attracting nearly two million people annually. What began in 1854 as a territorial fair to highlight agriculture and encourage farming has become the perfect, closing-out-the-summer tradition. […]
The Hairy Mosquito Trading Company is crazy, eclectic, dare-I-say cooky, ice cream shop and trading post in Milaca. It’s easy to spot, just look for the large home-made metal mosquito sculpture squatting outside. Inside, you’ll find old-fashioned ice cream, sundaes, banana splits, ice cold drinks, nostalgic candy favorites such as rock candy, wax lips, Necco […]
The question I am most often asked is, “how long have you been doing this?” Without skipping a beat, it is always promptly followed with, “why?” Four years ago today, I lost my Dad. That was the end and the beginning of everything. Prior to his unplanned departure, I had never even thought about the […]
If you are looking for something to do that includes watching death-defying acts, body-bending movement and brilliant colors, look no further than Circus Juventas! Formerly Circus of the Star, in reference to Minnesota as the North Star State, Circus Juventas is a youth performing arts circus school off Montreal Avenue in St Paul’s Highland Park […]
This past weekend was the 70th Annual Paul Bunyan Days Festival in Akeley. Some say 68th, some say 69th, but most residents say 70th and I tend to follow local lore. The large, crouching Paul Bunyan statue created by Dean Krotzer has become Akeley’s claim to fame. The mythical lumberjack is directly tied to Akeley’s […]
The Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. It was designed to improve Minnesota’s economy, held as a venture between the state’s resort industry, media, and public officials. For me, and many others, it serves as the official kickoff of the summer tourism season. Travel and tourism are a $14.4 […]
