By Charlene Corson Selbee
Summer in the Midwest wouldn’t be complete without the joy of community celebrations. Two standout events are set to bring that spirit to life the weekend of June 27-29 in Bluff Country. Laura Days in Burr Oak, Iowa, and Brownsville Days in Brownsville, Minn., invite locals and visitors alike to enjoy rich traditions, local culture, and small-town charm.
These events offer something for everyone, whether you’re drawn to live entertainment, delicious festival fare, nostalgic activities, or simply a chance to make new memories with family and friends.
Community celebrations feature favorites including: colorful parades, softball tournaments, bingo, kids’ activities, classic car shows, outdoor gospel service, cornhole tournament, and fireworks.
The festivities in Burr Oak begin with bingo and live music at Barney’s Bar and Grill. Saturday features the always-popular parade, pie auction, pioneer games for kids, and tours of the Masters Hotel.
Author and Speaker Cindy Wilson will give a special presentation of “The Hard Winter of 1880-1881,” offering visitors an immersive glimpse into the life of the Ingalls family. The evening wraps up with a performance by the Buck Hollow Band, while Sunday begins with an outdoor gospel service featuring local favorite Brad Boice.
Brownsville’s festivities cater to all ages. Kids will enjoy a coin dig, scavenger hunt, pedal tractor pull, dunk tank, and inflatables, while adult visitors will enjoy live music from Melissa McCarthy and One Accord, a cornhole tournament, and a classic car show on Sunday. The weekend wraps up with a crowd-pleasing fireworks display.
These annual festivals are made possible through the dedication of volunteers from local service organizations like the Lions Club, and attractions such as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Burr Oak.
Come celebrate summer, share in the traditions, and create lasting memories at Laura Days and Brownsville Days, two can’t miss events that bring communities together through fun, history, and heart.
Upcoming events in Bluff Country
•June 21 – Gammel Dag Fest, Peterson, Minn.
•June 24 – Music in the Park, Caledonia, Minn.
•une 25-29 – Mighty Howard County Fair, Cresco, Iowa
•June 27-29 – Brownsville Days, Brownsville, Minn.
•June 27-29 – Laura Ingalls Wilder Day – Burr Oak, Iowa
•June 28 – Music on the Bluff, Whalan, 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.
