Visit Bluff Country

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Toot-Toot, the familiar sound heard every September in Mabel welcomes residents and visitors to the annual Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days, September 7-10.

The giant steam engines kick off both parades on Saturday and Sunday at noon. The Hesper-Mabel Calliope, a steam-whistle organ, takes its place among the steam engines as it whistles out familiar tunes. Do the iconic “wave” when Grand Marshals, Deb and Wayne Buxengard on Saturday and Cathy Peterson on Sunday pass by.

New this year is the six-person coed sand volleyball tournament on Saturday and Sunday. The tournament will take place on the new sand volleyball courts built by community volunteers and local businesses.

Over the past 71 years, the popular farm celebration has been known for fun challenging games and this year is no different. Sunday afternoon begins with the Kids in the Straw Coin Find for pre-school through fifth graders followed by the Mabel Lions mutton bustin’ competition. Kids will be talking about their wild ride on the four-legged woolly animal for days. Spectators will be splitting a gut as the kids roll off or as the sheep drops to the ground in protest with the child still on its back.

Follow the oohs and aahhs to the Hesper Lutheran Church and Mabel First Lutheran Church food stand located on the festival grounds. The food stand is open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. through early evening. Try a slice of fresh baked pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Molly B & Squeezebox takes the stage Saturday afternoon at the Mabel Lions beer garden, country singer Cory Farley will rock the stage Friday night, and on Saturday evening Rhino will entertain the crowd. Enjoy dancing to the sounds of the Lockharts on Thursday evening at the Mabel Legion, on Friday night dance to the tunes of Buck Hollow, and Saturday night is Flashback. On Sunday morning enjoy Highway 30 during the ecumenical church service on the festival grounds, and Palomino will be performing Sunday afternoon in the beer garden.

Other upcoming Bluff Country community celebrations:

•September 8-10, Watermelon Fest, Kellogg, Minn.

•September 8-10, Dairy Days, Platteville, Wis.

•September 9-10, Laura Ingalls Wilder Days, Pepin, Wis.

•September 9 – October 21, SeptOberFest, Wabasha, Minn.

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festival and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Looking for something to do Labor Day weekend on the banks of the Mississippi River? If so, check out the 20th Annual Alma Music & Arts Festival at the Alma Beach and Recreation Area in Alma, Wis. The fun kicks off on Sunday, September 3 at 11 a.m. Thanks to community sponsors and volunteers the event is free.

Event organizers promote the festivities as, “A day of art, food, and fine music showcasing the natural beauty of the river and bluffs.”

The names of the bands will entice attendees to the town’s last celebration of the summer. Patchouli takes the stage from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by The High 48s from 1:30– 3 p.m. Four Pints will have attendees swaying from 3-4:30 p.m., and Left Wing Bourbon ends the day on a high note from 4:30-7 p.m.

Four familiar food trucks will make a welcomed appearance at the festivities again this year, including Two Scoops & a Bar, River Road Coffee, Rubio’s Family Mexican Restaurant, and Smoke-in D’s BBQ.

According to the festival website there will be “vendors featuring pastels, handweaving, fall and winter décor, photocards, prints, purses, pottery, silver and jewelry, glass art, walking sticks, candles, face painting, and much much more!”

What’s happening in Bluff County this week

• September 7-10, Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days, Mabel, Minn.

• September 8-10, Dairy Days, Platteville, Wis.

• September 8-10, Watermelon Fest, Kellogg, Minn.

• September 9 and 10, Laura Ingalls Wilder Days, Pepin, Wis.

• September 9, SeptOberfest, Wabasha, Minn.

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festival and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.

By Charlene Corson Selbee

The first fall festival of the year has arrived. Head over to Cresco, Iowa, to immerse yourself in the Norman Borlaug Harvest Fest Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27.

Borlaug is only one of seven people in the world to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal.

“An unforgettable celebration paying homage to our rich heritage and legacy of the esteemed Dr. Norman Borlaug,” explained Howard County Business & Tourism Community & Business Development Specialist Spiff Slifka.

The Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation will have farm tours on Saturday, August 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Norman Borlaug’s birthplace and boyhood farm sites located just minutes south of Cresco.

On Thursday evening check out the open-air market in Beadle Park from 3-6 p.m. followed by the tractor show, kids’ activities and a free meal at Accura HealthCare from 4-7 p.m.

Early Friday evening, Crestwood High School is conducting tours of their new addition. The beer tent opens at 5 p.m. and Friday night is puzzle and bingo night at the Harvest Fest tent.

Start Saturday off with breakfast at the VFW hall from 7-10 a.m. followed by the Cruise to Cresco car show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Cresco. The steak cook-off in Beadle Park starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. on Saturday and runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Join in the fun at the first annual pickleball tournament on Saturday at Evans Court.

In celebration of 135 years, CUSB Bank is hosting a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the bank’s parking lot with live entertainment by JR Brink Band. The bank is hosting kids’ games, bounce houses, and a petting zoo from 12-4 p.m. and the Buffalo Alice Band will be performing from 2-6 p.m. in the bank parking lot.

At 3 p.m. the veterans will start serving their steak and pork loin dinner in the VFW hall on Saturday and again on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

At 4:30 p.m. the Harvest Fest Parade kicks-off. Note that there is a new route this year.

Head to the Harvest Fest tent Saturday night at 9 p.m. for three hours of live music featuring northeast Iowa’s local country singer Cory Farley.

On Sunday morning enjoy a down home ranch breakfast at the Cresco Country Club from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. At 2 p.m. is the annual ice cream social at historic Kellow House.

Other Bluff Country events happening this weekend.

• Hole in the Sock Gang 1880s Street Theatre, McGregor, Iowa

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festival and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Local Caledonia resident, Luan Hammel’s 30-year Snoopy collection will be on exhibit during the Houston County Fair. The fair runs from August 16-20, in Caledonia, Minn.

Fairgoers can find the collection in the Houston County Historical Society agricultural building. Hammel started the collection when she was in college after purchasing a calendar. She was immediately hooked on Snoopy, the slick white dog, and the Peanut gang. The exhibit is only half of her collection.

Fair goers will also have an opportunity to view a collection of Houston County images. A volunteer has spent a lot of time processing, cleaning, sorting, labeling, and filing the society’s collection of 22,000 plus glass negatives. A slide show of images will be available to view during the fair in the agricultural building. The society is hoping that visitors will be able to help identify the people in the pictures.

Another new exhibit is the Turning of the Quilts in the agricultural building. Volunteers will explain the history of the Turning of the Quilts and the Murphy bed as well as stories of the 20 quilts. Presentations are on Thursday, August 17, Friday, August 18, and Saturday, August 19, at 1:30 p.m.

Ever wished you could tour the historical buildings located on the fairgrounds? All four of the buildings (Presbyterian Church, Flatten-Swenson Pioneer Home, Mayville Town Hall and the Daley School) located on the fairgrounds will be open during the fair. “The four buildings are everything the settlers were looking for when they settled in the new world,” explained Vice-President Debra Way. There will also be demonstrators throughout the fair.

The agricultural building and the historical buildings will be open Thursday from 12-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12-3 p.m. There is no admission fee to tour the buildings and attend the presentations, thanks to volunteers that staff the buildings.

There will be plenty of traditional fair activities happening during the fair and lots of delicious food.

Other Bluff Country events happening this weekend.

• August 17-20, SEMBA Summer Bluegrass Festival, Houston, Minn.

• August 17-25, Apollo Music Festival, Houston, Minn.

• August 18-20, Canton Day Off Celebration, Canton, Minn.

• August 19, Art-A-Fest, Charles City, Iowa

• August 19, LizFest/Apple Blossom Bike Tour, La Crescent, Minn.

• August 19, Bluff Land Tri: Run, Bike, Hike, Rushford, Minn.

• August 10-20, Art in the Park Fine Arts Festival, Elkader, Iowa

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festival and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.