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Visit Bluff Country

A guide to Historic Bluff Country

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Never forgotten

July 24, 2023 by Visit Bluff Country

Never forgotten
The Moving Wall in Sumner, Iowa, in 2022. Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

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.

Filed Under: Stories

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Bluff Country News & Stories

Dana Boler Photography on the Cover of Visit Bluff Country Magazine

May 8, 2025

Join Vesterheim to Celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day

May 7, 2025

New Exhibit at Vesterheim Museum

April 25, 2025

Drift Cycle Bike Share Launching in the City of La Crosse

April 17, 2025

Wrapping up the season!

April 15, 2025

Nordic Fest Board of Directors Announces 2025 Honorees

April 10, 2025

24th Annual Bluff Country Studio Art Tour

April 3, 2025

Celebrate Beer, Wine & Cheese Fest & Taster’s Eve!

April 3, 2025

Vesterheim New Forging Studio Opens in May 2025

April 1, 2025

Commonweal Theatre to present “The Half-Life of Marie Curie”

March 28, 2025

Announcing Call for Visual Artists for Summer Group Show at Lanesboro Arts Gallery

March 18, 2025

Artist Meg Frank brings mixed media art quilt project to Lanesboro

March 18, 2025

Four Regional Musicians Headline Songwriters Showcase on April 12

March 14, 2025

Commonweal Theatre Announces Details for its 2025 Season

March 6, 2025

Vesterheim Folk Art School Hosts Norwegian Weaving Instructor and Introduces On-Demand Classes

February 26, 2025

Vesterheim Invites Entries for Juried Exhibit in 2025

February 19, 2025

Nordic Fest Announces 2025 Theme

February 18, 2025

Lanesboro Arts Brings Mediterranean Music Group, Other Country Ensemble, to St. Mane Theatre on March 29th

February 17, 2025

The “International” part of the small-town International Festival of Owls

February 17, 2025

Lunch & Learn at Good Earth Village: Speaker George Thompson

February 13, 2025

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136 St. Anthony Street | PO Box 496
Preston, MN. 55965

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A publication of the Fillmore County Journal

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