Visit Bluff Country

A guide to Historic Bluff Country

Happenings in Bluff Country

Barnetimen Children’s Hour at Vesterheim

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Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes preschoolers and their caregivers to the museum for Barnetimen Children’s Hour, on Tuesday, February 18, at 10 a.m. Meet in the lobby of the Museum Building to explore objects and stories in the collection and make fun art.

Meet in the lobby of the Museum Building to explore the textures and patterns on objects that feature hearts, then create heart-inspired art before enjoying a snack.

Barnetimen programs are free and geared toward 3- to 5-year-olds, but all ages are welcome. New programs are offered in person at the museum the third Tuesday of the month from 10-11 a.m., September through April.

No reservations are needed, but larger groups of 10 or more are asked to contact the museum the day before the program to help with planning. For more information, please contact Jennifer Kovarik, Vesterheim Collection Manager, 563-382-9681 or jkovarik@vesterheim.org.

This program is supported by generous gifts to the Vesterheim Annual Fund from David and Brenda Carlson and Norwegian Mutual Insurance Association.

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, (563) 382-9681, and Vesterheim, 520 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.

Announcing Call for Visual Artists for Early Career Artist Exhibition at Lanesboro Arts Gallery

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Lanesboro, Minn. – Lanesboro Arts is pleased to announce an opportunity for early career visual artists from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa to display their work in a professional gallery setting at Lanesboro Arts. The show will run from February 8 through March 30, 2025. Applications are due December 9, 2024 at noon. Accepted artists will be contacted by December 20. 

The Early Career Artist Exhibition will be curated by an advisory committee made up of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled artists involved in the Equitable Systems Change Program. Lanesboro Arts has launched the Equitable Systems Change Program for the Lanesboro Arts Gallery as a commitment to a thorough review and change of current systems and processes, based on detailed recommendations to align practices with equity values and more deeply serve BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists. 

Lanesboro Arts defines an “early career artist,” or emerging artist, as an individual who has great potential in their artistic practice but has not yet received major recognition, has not yet been substantially celebrated for their work and / or has not yet established significant “footing” within their field. This particular show will prioritize early career artists who also identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabled; however all early career artists are welcome to apply. All visual arts media are eligible. Artists may be any age, but Lanesboro Arts specifically invites those artists with limited exhibition experience to apply.

To apply, artists may complete the online application available on the Lanesboro Arts website. From the homepage of lanesboroarts.org, click on ‘Artist Opportunities’ on the sidebar, and then on ‘Early Career Artist Application’. To complete the application, artists are asked to submit images via Google Drive or Dropbox. All visual arts media are eligible – both 2-D and 3-D. For those who prefer, you may submit a video application to gallery@lanesboroarts.org, with the subject line “Early Career Artist application”.

Wall pieces chosen will need to be framed and include a hanging wire in the back; all work in the Early Career Artist Exhibition will be for sale as per consignment agreement (40% gallery, 60% artist). Each accepted artist will receive a $500 stipend for exhibition costs, and will have the option of assisting with installation.  Transporting the work to and from Lanesboro will be the responsibility of the artist; however, for this show, we are able to offer a mileage stipend for those who request it up to $250. The deadline for work delivery will be January 31, 2025. 

The Early Career Artist Exhibition will open on Saturday, February 8, 2025, with an artist reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lanesboro Arts Gallery.

The Lanesboro Arts Gallery is located at 103 Parkway Ave. N. in Lanesboro, Minnesota. The organization provides year-round arts programming and serves as a regional catalyst for artistic excellence and educational development, by providing diverse art experiences for people of all ages. For more information, visit www.lanesboroarts.org.

Indulge Your Senses This Summer

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By Charlene Corson Selbee

Live music in Bluff Country
Bring your friends and family and enjoy live music in picturesque Historic Bluff Country city parks.
Photo submitted

Picture a tranquil Midwest summer evening lounging in a lawn chair or relaxing on a blanket. As local bands blast out familiar tunes, you will find yourself swaying or dancing to their melodies. Indulge in the savory taste of a grilled bratwurst topped with mustard and sauerkraut or enjoy the crunch of fresh popped popcorn, all while sipping a refreshing cold beverage.

Eight communities in historic Bluff Country host free musical events during the summer.

Every community boasts its own distinctive title for their outdoor music concerts. From Decorah’s inviting Lawn Chair Nights to Whalan’s scenic Music in the Bluffs, and from Spring Grove’s vibrant Music and Market to Chatfield’s lively Music in the Park, each event promises its own unique charm. Join in the rhythm at Preston’s Rhythm by the River, immerse yourself in Spring Valley’s Music in the Park, or groove along at Caledonia’s Music in the Park. Don’t miss out on Peterson’s Summer Music Series! Names like these are guaranteed to entice participation.

Summer attendees can anticipate a lineup of beloved local bands gracing the stages this summer throughout Bluff Country. Enjoy the sounds of Mollie B, Lost Faculties, Rutabaga Brothers & Sister Mariah, Almost Amish, River Crossing, The Lonely Knees, LP and the 45s, Gopher Tones, The Chubs, Pete’s Pool Hall, Buck Hollow Band, The Riff Rangers, Trouble Shooter, Chatfield Brass Band, The Notochords Big Band, Kevin Ryan, Frank Moore, Prairie Smoke, Main Street Harmony, Tom Conrad, or Joe & Jackie Cody.

Each event showcases local bands and provides concessions for attendees. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and are welcome to bring along a picnic basket if desired.

Music Schedule

• Music in the Park, Caledonia – Tuesday, June 25, July 9, 16, 23, 30. Picnic in the Park at 5:30 followed by music from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Gazebo Park in downtown Caledonia.

• Music in the Park, Chatfield – Thursday, June 6, 13, and 20 from 7-8 p.m. Sunday, June 30 from 7-8 p.m. at Chatfield City Park.

• Lawn Chair Night, Decorah – Thursday evenings on the courthouse lawn or Washington Street outside Impact Coffee in downtown Decorah.

• Summer Music Series, Peterson – Sunday, July 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 5-7 p.m. at the historic bandstand.

• Rhythm by the River, Preston – Thursday, June 13, July 11, and August 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Trailhead Park.

• Music and Market, Spring Grove – Every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at Viking Memorial Park.

• Music in the Park, Spring Valley – Friday, June 7, 14, 21, 28, and July 5, 12, and 19 from 6:30-8:30 at Spring Creek Park.

• Music in the Bluffs, Whalan – Fri., May 31 from 6-7:30 p.m., Sat. July 20 from 4-7 p.m., and Sat. August 17 from 4-7 p.m. at the gazebo in the Park.

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.

Fall Colors Come Alive in Bluff Country

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By Charlene Corson Selbee

Colorful hills along the Mighty Mississippi River.
Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

Fall colors are beginning to bloom in Bluff Country. A wide palette of yellows, oranges, golds, browns, reds, and greens draw residents and visitors alike, to experience Bluff Country.

Whether taking photos, visiting apple orchards, buying colorful mums, enjoying corn mazes with your children, picking out the perfect pumpkin to grace your home, visiting a local farmers market, enjoying the fall decorations, or driving the seven

Yards and towns are decorated with whimsical decorations.
Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

scenic byways, you are guaranteed to fall in love with Bluff Country.

Fall is also the time when farmers are out in the fields harvesting crops so enjoy the picturesque farm scenes. Be sure to watch for slow moving farm equipment while traveling the winding and hilly roads of Bluff Country.

There are seven Scenic Byways that wind their way through Bluff County including the Great River Road along the Mississippi River, the 17-mile Apple Blossom Scenic Byway that loops through La Crescent, Dakota and Nodine; the 88-mile Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway on Minnesota Hwy. 16 from Highway 90 near Dexter all the way to La Crescent;  the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway from Rochester south on US Hwy 63 to Spring Valley, follow MN 16 and US 52 to the Iowa border to Burr Oak; Highway 52 that connects Preston and Prosper is also known as the Amish Byway; the 32-mile Shooting Star Scenic Byway is a drive between Highway 56 and Highway 63 at Chester, Iowa and I-90; and the Driftless Area Scenic Byway in NE Iowa.

Upcoming Bluff  County events: 

• Now through October 21, SeptOberFest, Wabasha, Minn.

• September 28 – October 1, Oktoberfest, La Crosse, Wis.

• September 29 – October 1, NE Iowa Studio Arts Tour, Northeast Iowa towns

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.

What’s New at Applefest?

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Travel the Apple Blossom Scenic Byway during the 75th Applefest in La Crescent, Minn.
Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

By Charlene Corson Selbee

Organizers have added two new events to the 75th annual Applefest schedule, September 15-17 in picturesque La Crescent, Minn. 

The festivities light up the town on Thursday, September 14, with the first-ever Torchlight Parade. Entries will line up at Veterans Memorial parking lot and travel through downtown La Crescent, ending in the Crucifixion parking lot. The parade is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. The annual King Apple parade takes place at 1 p.m. on Sunday. This year’s parade marshal is Doug Stavenau.

Be ready to shop at the first-ever Applefest Great River Makers Market which will take place at the La Crescent Area Event Center on Saturday, September 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market features 37 vendors who will be selling everything from children’s clothing, fishing-inspired products, local honey, lavender, pet products, skincare, jewelry, hone décor, essential oils, food and drink, accessories, art, books, bakeries, bath and body, candles, ceramics, plus a little bit of everything.

The stage comes alive as five La Crosse bands take the stage during Applefest! Kick up your heels as country band Blue Collar 40 kicks off the festivities on Friday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. followed by Something Familiar who will be playing your local tunes. On Saturday, Overplayed will rock the stage from 5:30-7:30 p.m. followed by country music band Hillbilly Rocketship at 8 p.m. Listen to the tunes of Daddy’s Girls – Round Two on Sunday from 5-9 p.m.

Include a visit to the La Crescent Area Historical Society History Center and Apple Museum for a slice of history. The museum is open Saturday during Applefest from noon to 4:00 p.m. Pick up a map at the center for a self-guided tour of the area’s orchards and apple stands located along the Apple Blossom Scenic Byway. While on the trail pick up a bag or two of crunchy delicious-tasting local apples and/or a jug of apple cider, and don’t forget a caramel apple.

Upcoming Bluff County events

• September 16, Great River Car Show & Cruise, Elkader, Iowa

• September 16, Sept-Oberfest, 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.