Visit Bluff Country

By Charlene Corson Selbee

The traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall was in Houston 19 years ago during the 2004 Hoedown Days and will be in town again this year in conjunction with the town’s well-known celebration. There will be plenty of time for Fillmore County Journal readers to visit the wall between July 27 and July 241 and pay their respects. Whether you have seen the wall or not, you will be moved.

The Houston American Legion is sponsoring The Moving Wall at the Trailhead Park, Houston. The wall will be on display for public viewing 24 hours a day. Volunteers are still needed to guard the wall and assist with name rubbings and answer questions. Sign up by leaving a message at (608) 304-8619.

Make sure to purchase a Houston Hoedown Days button and a festival t-shirt or hoodie. Both memorabilia feature The Moving Wall on an olive-green background. The shirts are available at the Rushford State Bank in Houston and the button is available at local Houston businesses.

Kick-back at the 49th Annual Houston Hoedown Days is July 28, 29 and 30, includes live music, queen’s contest, a kiddie parade (theme “Here Comes the Circus”), Grand Parade, kiddie pedal tractor pull, craft/flea market, bingo, men’s softball tournament, diesel truck and tractor pull, live entertainment, 5K run/walk, cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, antique tractor display and a car show. The festivities end on a bang with fireworks show. Don’t forget to attend the Looney Valley Lutheran Church’s pie and ice cream social on Sunday at the community center.

What’s happening in Bluff Country this week:

•July 25, Music in the Park, Caledonia, Minn.

•July 27-29, Prairie Dog Blues Festival, Prairie du Chien, Wis.

•July 27-29, Nordic Fest, Decorah, Iowa

•July 28, Relay for Life, Fountain, Minn.

•July 28-29, Swiss Heritage Days, Alma, Wis.

•July 28-29, Riverboat Days, Elkader, Iowa

•July 29, Heritage Fest, Charles City, Iowa

•July 29, Hole in the Sock Gang 1880s Street Theatre, McGregor, Iowa

•July 240, Music in the Bandshell, Peterson, 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

Celebrate 165 years of tradition, food, entertainment, and exhibits at the 2023 Fillmore County Fair, July 17-23. The fairgrounds is located just minutes west of Hwy. 52 in Preston.

Food is one of the top reasons fairgoers attend county fairs. Food, especially fair food, challenges all five senses.

Whether it is a bag of fluffy sticky sweet cotton candy, grilled burger, gigantic turkey leg, curly fries, fried cheese curds, walking tacos, ice cream, pie, or pork chops you are bound to find your favorite at this year’s fair.

The 4-H stand not only offers a menu of hearty Mmidwestern food, but the annual fundraiser supports the county 4-H program. The kids provide exceptional service.

Follow the smell of barbeque to the KCBS sanctioned BBQ Cook Off, Saturday, July 22, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. featuring chicken and ribs. 15 teams are competing for the title of grand champion. Take time on late Friday afternoon or Saturday morning to chat with the competitors. You just might find out what their secret ingredient is.

What is a fair without food contests? West End contests include the Minnesota hot dish competition on Wednesday, the apple pie contest on Thursday, and the chocolate chip cookie contest on Friday.

The beer garden is open during the fair from 11 a.m. to midnight. The Dueling Pianos, Trouble Shooter, Red Letter Band, or Rustic Moon will be performing in the beer garden throughout the week.

Grandstand entertainment includes the ranch rodeo on Wednesday night, tractor pull on Thursday night, the T&C rodeo on Friday night, and the grand finale on Saturday night is the demolition derby.

Tuesday night at 7 p.m. is church night, featuring the Rev. Mark Woodward, Maple Leaf Parish United Methodist Church. Sister Luv will be performing. Local food vendors will be available. Free will donation benefits the Preston Area Food Shelf.

On Sunday morning, July 23, the annual “Pay it Forward” benefit breakfast sponsored by B&B Bowl of Preston benefits the family of Beth and David Anderson.

Other Bluff County celebrations that are happening this week:

• July 18 – Music in the Park, Caledonia

• July 19-23 – Floyd County Fair, Charles City, Iowa

• July 19-23 – Allamakee County Fair, Waukon, Iowa

• July 21 – Party in the Park, Charles City, Iowa

• July 23 – Music in the Bandshell, Peterson

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 festivals 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

Fresh, nutritious, and delicious tasting veggies are now in season! Shoppers will now find a large selection of veggies. In addition to veggies, shoppers will find a selection of jams, pickles, mushrooms, jerky, fish, beef, wine, flowers, homemade pie and bread, handmade dog treats, baby ducks and chicks, handcrafted items like potholders and scrubbers and dish towels, clothing, and art. The items sold vary at each market.

Try a new vegetable whenever you visit your favorite farmers market. Not sure how to cook all the new veggies you are finding? Start with tender kale and make crunchy chips (425° oven, olive oil, and sea salt for 15 minutes). Your kids will love them!

  Farmers markets are also perfect for socializing, relaxing, and enjoying live music. 

  Some farmers market accepts SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and offers market bucks, a program that doubles SNAP-EBT purchases up to $10 at participating locations.

  Markets are typically open from May to October.

Tuesday

• La Crescent Farmers Market, 595 Veterans Parkway, La Crescent from 4-7 p.m.

• Rushford Peterson Valley Farmers Market, 109 N. Mill St., Rushford from 4-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday

• Spring Grove Farmers Market, 107 Maple Dr., Spring Grove from 4–7 p.m.

Thursday

• Chatfield Growers and Makers Market, 305 Main St. S., Chatfield from 3–6 p.m.

Saturday

• Decorah Farmers Market, 300 block of Heivly St., Decorah from 9-11 a.m.

• Caledonia Farmers Market, parking lot behind the Crooked Quarter, Caledonia from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Simple Living Farmer’s Market, 501 E. Prairie Ave., Mabel from 8:30–11:30 a.m.

• Lanesboro Farmers Market, 202 Parkway Ave S, Lanesboro) from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Preston Pop-Up Market, Fillmore Street SE by the courthouse, Preston on August 12 and September 16, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Upcoming events in

Bluff County

• July 11-15, Winneshiek County Fair, Decorah, Iowa

• July 13, Rhythm by the River, Preston, Minn.

• July 13-16, Rushford Days, Rushford, Minn.

• July 14-16, SummerFest, LeRoy, Minn.

• July 14-16, Root River Antique Engine & Tractor Show, Spring Valley, Minn.

• July 15, Rail Fair, La Crosse, Wis.

• July 15, Spring Creek MX Pro National, Millville, Minn.

• July 15, Southwest Music Festival, Platteville, Wis.

• July 15-16, War of 1812: Battle of Prairie du Chien Re-enactment, Prairie du Chien, Wis.

• July 16, Music in the Bandshell, Peterson, 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 festivals 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

Kick off the Fourth of July weekend at one of the many outdoor music concerts scheduled in Bluff County this summer. 

Community Spirit Caledonia, a community-driven group of volunteers, is hosting the annual Music in the Park series. The four outdoor music concerts are held at the Gazebo Park, within walking distance of downtown Caledonia, Minn. In case of inclement weather, head to the city auditorium.

Reserve Tuesday, June 27, July 11, 18, and the 25 from 6–7:30 p.m. on your calendar. Organizer Dana Gunn mentioned that every night at 5:30 p.m., a picnic dinner is available for $6, adding that different groups in the community prepare the dinners as a fundraiser. There are also root beer floats and popcorn for sale.

“It’s a nice way to spend a summer evening. There is a variety of music over the five weeks, something for everyone! It’s a free, family-friendly event,” emphasized Gunn.

Bands scheduled for your enjoyment include the Buck Hollow Band, The Executives, Dan Van, and the Barbershop Quartet (Thick N’ Thin – male quartet and A Note Above – female quartet). 

On Thursday, July 13, and August 10, head to Preston, Minn., for Rhythm by the River from 6-8 p.m., to hear the soul-resonating sounds of River Crossing and Root River Jam, respectively. 

A favorite lawn chair nights music series takes place throughout the summer on Thursday nights at either the courthouse square or downtown on Washington Street in Decorah, Iowa. Bands scheduled to perform include Decorah Municipal Band, Michael McGrath, Kristen Ford, Nordic Dancers, Ronley King Blues Band, Clare Doyle, Jake Manders & Gretta Hunstiger, Buck Hollow Band, and Holding Hemlock.

Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2023 Music & Market events on Wednesday evenings in Viking Memorial Park from 4–7 p.m., with the music starting at 5 p.m.

The City of Harmony Arts Board is hosting the 2023 Back Alley Jam Series. The next concert is on July 20, featuring The Paper Clips. The concerts are held from 6-8 p.m. in the alley behind Harmony Spirits in downtown Harmony, Minn. Food and beverages are available  for purchase from local restaurants.

The Root River in Lanesboro is the perfect setting for Rhythms on the Root. Saturday, July 8, features Sleeping Jesus and on Saturday, August 12, is singer-songwriter Faith Boblett. Concerts begin at 6 p.m.

Concertgoers should bring their lawn chairs.

Upcoming events in Bluff County

• Through July 30, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Winona, Minn.

• June 30-July 4, Riverfest, La Crosse, Wis.

• July 2-4, July 4th Celebration, Harmony, Minn.

• 4th of July Celebration, Charles City, 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 festivals 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.