Blues, brews and nature views headline Legacy Weekend in Fergus Falls

Fergus Falls will showcase blues music, a brewer’s festival and nature photography classes during its Legacy Weekend October 13-15.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau invites visitors to experience some or all of these activities – plus others – as the community recognizes the positive impact of the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment approved by Minnesota voters in 2008. As one of 12 cities selected, Fergus Falls is pleased to highlight the weekend of arts, history and outdoor events and activities representative of the quality and variety of opportunities the community offers thoughout the year.

“Fergus Falls has both great outdoors and arts opportunities made possible, in part, by Legacy grants, and we thought it would make a fun weekend to combine them to give people access to all of the great things happening with the Amendment here,” said Jean Bowman, Fergus Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau director. “It’s a positive thing for our area.”

The weekend features a variety of events hosted by organizations that have received Legacy grants but not limited to said funding. The Legacy amendment was approved by Minnesota voters in 2008. This Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment supports projects in Minnesota’s outdoor and arts and cultural heritage, clean water, environment and natural resources, and parks and trails. Legacy Weekends is a joint effort by Explore Minnesota, Conservation Minnesota, and Minnesota Citizens for the Arts.

Thursday, October 13

Blues: Trent Romens in Concert at A Center for the Arts, Thursday, October 13th at 7:30 p.m. Surrounded by music all his life, Trent Romens started playing guitar at the age of 11. Trent has been listening to the blues and the music this genre has inspired. By the age of 13, he was performing with some of the Twin Cities' greatest blues and reggae artists. His greatest influences are the artists that have proven their music to be timeless, and whose songs hold great weight: the lyrics of Bob Marley and Dylan, the improvisational spirit of the Grateful Dead, and the scorching guitar grooves of The Allman Brothers Band. Singing and writing his own songs for a little over a year, Trent continues to discover his own unique and powerful sound. Tickets are Adults $12 advance/$14 day of show and students $5 any time. To reserve tickets call 218-736-5453 or visit www.fergusarts.org. This activity was funded, in part, by a Legacy grant from the Lakes Region Arts Council.

Friday, October 14

Brews: Plan to attend the Brewers Festival at the VFW from 7-10 p.m., Friday, October 14. The Brewers Fest provides an opportunity to expand your palate by featuring a wide selection of beer and wine. The VFW is an ideal location with plenty of room and great hors d'oeuvres. If you are looking for a way to celebrate the fall season with an event that is fun and unique, then plan to attend the Brewers Festival. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information call the Fergus Falls VFW at 218-739-2697. This event is a fundraiser for the OTCHS (www.OTCHS.org). The Otter Tail County Historical Society is a Legacy grant recipient from the MN Historical Society.

Saturday, October 15

Natures Views: A Nature Photography Class will be offered at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (PWLC), 8 a.m. – noon. Learn how to photograph everything from naturescapes to insects. Participants will have hands-on time for the first two hours as Park Ranger Matt Conner teaches nature photography techniques in the field from 8 a.m – 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. – noon, participants will spend time with professional nature photographer Roland Jordahl as he shares stories of with personal photographic journey. Pre-registration is requested but not required. Call 218-998-4481. The class is free. The PWLC is a residential environmental education center with 330 acres of tall-grass prairie and wetlands.

More activities:

Film premiere of “Fergus Falls Aerosol Art documentary,” Thursday at 6 p.m., Kaddatz Gallery. The premiere coincides with the Lake Region Arts Council Legacy-funded aerosol mural at 120 E. Lincoln (from the alley side)! www.kaddatzgalleries.org for more information.

Central Lakes Trail guided bicycle ride Saturday from 2-4 p.m. This is a short, six mile guided ride perfect for families that will last two hours leaving from DeLagoon Park and turning around just past Swan Lake. Skits and stories will be provided at stops along the trail. There is a limit of 20 participants, with children under 8 required to be pulled by parents. Pre-registration is required by Thursday noon by calling the Fergus Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-726-8959. The tour will be guided by a DNR Area Naturalist, whose position is funded by Minnesota Legacy Funds.

The Minnesota Music Coalition’s “Caravan du Nord” Concert at A Center for the Arts, 7 p.m. Saturday night. The evening features local group Radio On opening, followed by Alison Scott, then the headlining group The New Standards, Tickets: Adults $15 advance/$16 day of show, Students/Children $5 anytime. For more information call 218-736-5453 or visit www.fergusarts.org. This event is funded in part by a legacy grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Concert at A Center for the Arts featuring guitarist Mark Hanson, Sunday at 4 p.m. Mark Hanson is a composer, arranger, performer, writer and teacher. His awards include a 2005 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album for "Pink Guitar: Fingerstyle Guitar Solos of Classic Henry Mancini Melodies." He has presented concerts and workshops around the country for over 20 years. Tickets: Adults $12 advance/$14 day of show children/students $5 any time. For more information call 218-736-5453 or visit www.FergusArts.org. A Center for the Arts is a Legacy grant recipient from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

For more information about Fergus Falls visit www.VisitFergusFalls.com or call 800-726-8959. For other Minnesota Legacy Destinations visit www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/legacy .

Tags: regional news, news, updates, blues, entertainment