NOTE: This map was last updated in 2009 and is archived here only for historical purposes. Many of the events shown have since been changed or discontinued. It is advisable to confirm, locally, that an event is ongoing before planning attendance.

LEGEND AND CALENDAR
All dates are approximate, and may change from year-to-year. For this year's dates certain, see the info site (linked) for specific events of interest.

ALL YEAR OR SEASONAL EVENTS

1. Kid’s Fishing Contest, all summer, every Tuesday morning, at Hackensack! Click here for more info.

2. Winter Ice Races at Garfield Lake, Laporte. Every Sunday from as soon as the ice is safe, 'til it's not. Usually mid-Dec. - early March. (This event may be discontinued.)

3. Reif Center. Call or see web site for performances. Click here for more info.

4. Itasca State Park. Headwaters of the Mississippi. See their web site for special events and nature programs. Click here for more info.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY

5. Back-To-Hack at Hackensack. Huge winter fest that starts with free hot dogs and cocoa around the huge community bonfire Fri. night, followed by fireworks; and continues into the weekend with snomo radar runs, comedy, dances, chili feed, craft show, ice races and much more; including the most notorious beauty contest going, THE SNOWFLAKE QUEEN (you just gotta see it) which always packs the Fire Hall to almost bursting, Saturday evening. This is condensed fun, all packed into one weekend, generally the next-to-last weekend in January, but check their site for date certain. Click here for more info.

[Not on Map] Bemidji Jazz Fest. Schools from the Midwest and Canada compete to play great live Big Band music at the concluding concert, generally the first Saturday in February, at the Bemidji High School auditorium, from 7:30 p.m. The two-hour concert also features two world-celebrity jazz artists who play, accompanied by the very professional BSU Jazz Band. For more info, call the BSU Music Dept. at 218-755-2915

6. Chili Cook-Off & X-Country Sled Dog Race at Remer. Generally, 1st Saturday in February.

MAY

7. Firemens’ Fish Fry at Backus. GREAT smelt and cod fry in their secret beer batter - AYCE, and whether you prefer cod and/or smelt, it's some of the best tasting fish around! Proceeds support the Backus Area Volunteer Fire Dept. Generally starts at 4 p.m., first Saturday in May, at the Backus Fire Hall.  Click here for more info.

8. Memorial Day weekend pow-wows at Veteran's Memorial Field at Cass Lake. Generally, Fri. evening, Sat. Sun. of Memorial Day weekend. Click here for more info.

9. Old Timers’ Days at Backus. Memorial Day weekend.  Click here for more info.

JUNE

10. MOONDANCE JAMMIN' COUNTRY FEST, at Walker. America's premiere country music fest. Generally in mid-to-late June. Click here for more info.

JULY

11. Independence Day Celebration and Pow-Wow at Red Lake, generally proximate to July 6th (the Red Lake Independence Day). For info, call Red Lake Nation tribal offices at 218-679-2500

12. Fourth of July weekend pow-wows at Veteran's Memorial Field at Cass Lake. Generally, Fri. evening, Sat. Sun. of 4th of July weekend. Click here for more info.

13. 4th of July, on the 3rd, or 5th, or 6th, etc., at Laporte. This is a great community 4th Fest! Except that it's on the Saturday proximate to the 4th, except when the 4th is ON Saturday, in which case it will be Friday or Sunday. So this is a great place to do the 4th, even if you did it somewhere else ON the 4th.
Features Mack's Famous Bratwursts, hot off the grill. Said a local:
"When Mack is out of brats, we just don't eat brats."
Interviewer "Would you use Johnsonville instead?"
Local: "Never!"
Try one and you'll see why. Flea market, parade, games and activities, street dance and fireworks.
For more info, and date certain, call Laporte Grocery, 218-224-2202
Click here for a short video of the 2009 Hot Dog Eating Contest at the "4th" at Laporte!
(You must have Quick Time or similar .mov file player to view) File size: 4.6Mb

14. Sweetheart Days at Hackensack, commemorating the betrothal of Paul Bunyan to the town's namesake, Lucette Diana Kensack. A mid-week fest, generally Tues. & Wed. of the second week of July.
Click here for more info.

15. MOONDANCE JAM at Walker. Nation's premiere classic rock fest. Generally in early July.
Click here for more info.

16. Rib Fest at Cass Lake. Generally the third weekend in July. Click here for more info.

17. North Star Stampede & Rodeo at Effie. This is Minnesota's oldest and largest open rodeo. Always the last full weekend in July, rain or shine. On-site camping available, but you must bring your own drinking water as there is no well in the campground. For more info: effiemn.com, or effierodeo.com, or call North Star Ranch at 218-743-3893. Click here for a great action video of this event. (This event may be discontinued.)

18. Wood Carvers’ Fest at Blackduck, generally the Saturday (only) of the last full weekend in July. You will see carvings on sale here, in this huge forum of the best carvers, that you almost won't believe could be done. It's a great place to get tasteful home or office decor that is truly unique. Click here for more info.

AUGUST

19. White Oak Rendezvous at Deer River. Recreation of an 18th century Northwest Company trading post by the nonprofit White Oak Society, an affiliate of the Minnesota Historical Society. Very reasonable admission fees (like $6 for adults/$20 for whole family in 2009)  Don't just read about history - Live It!
Generally the first full weekend in August. Click here for more info.

20. Clearwater Co. Fair at Bagley. This is the best Northern County Fair, and it's FREE!
Generally Wed. - Sun. of the first full weekend in August. Click here for more info.

21. Lions’ Laporte Days, at Laporte, generally the 2nd weekend in August. For more info and date certain, contact Shirley Schmidt (of the Laporte-Benedict Lions Club) at (218) 224-2601

22. Corn Fest at Backus. Parade, flea market, games and fun, and all the corn you care to eat! Generally the 2nd Saturday (Sat. only) in August. Click here for more info.

23. Harvest Days at Remer. Generally the 2nd weekend in August. Parade and most events on Saturday.
Click here for more info.

24. Cajunfest at Walker. Great cajun and zydeco bands, dancing, and food. The authentic bands and chefs are brought in from Louisiana for this event. Mardi gras parade every night. Lots of fun for all. At Northern Lights casino (in the big event tents set up in the parking lot), generally the next-to-last weekend in August. For info, call Northern Lights Casino, 218-547-2744
 

SEPT.-OCT.

25. Hobo Day at Boy River. One of the BEST northern community fests. Lots to do, and eat!
Always SATURDAY ONLY of the Labor Day weekend. For info, contact Remer Liquor Store, 218-566-9997

26. Labor Day weekend pow-wows at Veteran's Memorial Field at Cass Lake.
Generally, Fri. evening, Sat. Sun. of Labor Day weekend. Click here for more info.

27. Hubbard Co. Posse Outing & BBQ at the big, wide-open, Posse Headquarters located near Lake George. AYCE - Eat like a Posse member! Horse camping and trails (BYOH - Bring Your Own Horse - if you want to ride; a lot of people just come for the dinner, karaoke, and dance). BBQ Dinner is the Saturday after Labor Day. Riding and camping is Fri. & Sat. For more info call the office of the Hubbard County Sheriff, at 218-732-3331

28. Fall-Has-It-All at Hackensack, Longville, and Walker, including the Nat’l Chainsaw Carving Invitational at Hackensack. This 10-day, three-community area fest is generally the last week in Sept. (commencing the prior weekend), through the first weekend in Oct. Many area activities. Chainsaw competition, with big crafters' mall, is generally held the last weekend of the fest, at Hackensack City Park. Click here for more info.

29. Carter's Pumpkin Party at Park Rapids. Every Saturday in October, at Carter's Farm Market, Hwy 34 E, Park Rapids. Farm fun for the whole family, including the maize maze, wagon rides, comic skits, the pumpkin propeller, pumpkin boats, lots of games and activities for the kids, as well as the last great buys of the season on farm fresh produce, and much more, inside the Farm Market. One can even buy a pumpkin - from 2 pounds to over 200 - from their huge pumpkin patch. Free hot cider and refreshments. Click here for more info.

[Not on Map] "Remember When" Dance. Dance to the great big band and swing stylings of the very professional BSU Jazz Band. Generally at Jammers, Bemidji, the last Friday and Saturday of October, 8:00 p.m. to midnight. For more info, call the BSU Music Dept. at 218-755-2915 (This event may be discontinued.)

NOV. - DEC.

30. Becida Community Church Game Feed at Becida. Lots of varied game and game dishes. This is a much bigger  spread than one would think; more impressive than one would expect at an expensive restaurant or sporting club; and it's AYCE. Free will offering (this event supports the BCC youth activities program). Usually on a Saturday at the end of Nov. or beginning of Dec. Call for exact date. For info, call Deacon Timothy Ewert (coordinator of this event) at 218-444-9451. (This event may be discontinued.)
Also, hunters and fishermen willing to donate game and/or fish, please call Deacon Ewert at 218-444-9451.


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