POP PICNIC
2024-06-19 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Wieser Park
Prince of Peace will have a Community Picnic at Wieser Park.
All are invited to attend.
Rain Location: Prince of Peace Fellowship Hall

Storytelling 101 for Kids
2024-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 | La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School, 504 S Oak St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
This program is provided by Sandbar Storytelling Festival in partnership with La Crescent Public Library.
Storytelling 101 is a workshop for children to learn the in’s and out’s of storytelling!
Most Suited for: Ages 7+
Katie Knutson will be in Winona for a Summer Residency this upcoming June 19-22! These events are FREE and Open to the Public, and will NOT require tickets/reservations.
Katie is a professional storyteller based in Minneapolis, MN. She has performed on 3 continents, is a skilled Teaching Artist and Workshop Leader, and is currently the Executive Director of Northeast Storytelling. Katie is an Arts Integration Specialist and promotes Social Justice through Storytelling.
We are proud to announce this program is offered free of charge, made possible through grant funding awarded by: Winona Community Foundation
Sponsored by: AmericInn by Wyndham- Winona
To view the full schedule, visit our website at https://sandbarstorytellingfestival.org/box…/education/

Dan Sebranek and Mary with Wayne Beezley
2024-06-26 17:30 - 19:30 | MN
La Crescent Lions Club present this free concert that will take place in the green space behind the La Crescent Public Library. A temporary concert space is being created with you in mind and we can’t wait to experience live music with you in the heart of La Crescent! Please make plans to join us! To learn more about our musician, check out his website at: dansebranek.com

Graphic Novel Book Talk
2024-06-27 15:00 - 16:30 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Learn about a variety of graphic novels and comic books with UWL English Professor Ryan Friesen! After the presentation, hang out at the Makerspace to make your own comic book & characters!

Friends of the Library Front Porch Sale
2024-06-29 10:00 - 13:00 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Support our Friends of the La Crescent Public Library and shop our Front Porch Sale!
$4/bag All proceeds help support the library!

Minnesota Author Tour Welcomes Dr. Christopher Lehman
2024-06-29 11:00 - 12:00 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
The La Crescent Public Library is THRILLED to host Dr. Christopher Lehman on Saturday, June 29th at 11am at the Community Building. His visit is part of the Minnesota Author Tour.
Christopher P. Lehman is a professor of Ethnic Studies at St. Cloud State University. He has been a visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research. His work has appeared in Minnesota History magazine and in periodicals for county-level historical societies throughout Minnesota. His book Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North Star State won the Minnesota Book Award in the Minnesota Nonfiction category in 2020. His newest release It Took Courage: Eliza Winston’s Quest for Freedom chronicles the incredible true story of Eliza Winston, an enslaved woman from Mississippi who found her way to Minnesota and petitioned for her freedom in court in 1860 — and won.
Following the program, there will be a book signing and books will be available for purchase thanks to Pearl Street Books.
This program is sponsored by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and by the SELCO Library System.

Meet a Real Red-Tailed Hawk with the National Eagle Center
2024-07-01 15:00 - 16:00 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join us to learn about raptor biology, ecology, natural history, and cultural connections in this engaging and entertaining presentation! You will also get to meet a live Red-tailed Hawk ambassador and chat with a naturalist interpreter. Photography is welcome, and this program is free and open to the public!
Legacy programs are made possible thanks to the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and Minnesota residents like you!

Applefest Button and Apparel Sale at the La Crescent Farmers Market
2024-07-09 16:00 - 19:00 | La Crescent Area Event Center, 595 Veterans Parkway, La Crescent, MN, 55947
Applefest is September 20-22, 2024. Come see us at the Farmers Market and get your Applefest button now for only $7! Prices will go up in August. This is a great opportunity to check out some Applefest merchandise as well.

Rumors - Preview
2024-07-13 08:00 - 17:00 | Commonweal Theatre Company, 208 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, MN, 55949, United States
Sharp-edged wit meets madcap farce in this laugh-out-loud comedy from legendary playwright Neil Simon. When the first guests arrive for an anniversary party at the deputy mayor’s home, they find their host unconscious, his wife and staff missing, and the duck is still thawing on the counter! Fearing a scandal, his friends attempt a cover-up. But as more partygoers arrive, everyone gets tangled in a web of mayhem, misunderstandings…and rumors!

Youth Outdoor Fest
2024-07-13 10:00 - 14:00 | Veteran’s Freedom Park, 120 Clinton Street, La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
Are you looking for a fun, free kid’s event with plenty of opportunities to try something new?
Join us for the Annual Youth Outdoor Fest at Veteran’s Freedom Park 120 Clinton Street, La Crosse, WI, on July 13, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Kids will have the opportunity to try fly fishing, shoot a bow, cast a fly rod, learn how to identify furs, fish and birds, play games, interact with live animals, and much more, all in one day for FREE!
Youth Outdoor Fest is hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -Midwest Fisheries Center, La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry, Fox 25/48, Genoa National Fish Hatchery, and Friends of the Upper Mississippi. Youth Outdoor Fest is partnering with the Upper Mississippi National Fish and Wildlife Refuge to celebrate their 100th anniversary.
The event is free, equipment will be provided, and children will receive many hands-on experiences for the whole family.
Exhibitors and experts will attend from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as local businesses and environmental clubs. Guests include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Fisheries and Refuges, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry, Chaseburg Rod and Gun Club, David Stokes, National Eagle Center, Trout Unlimited, Cabela’s, Effigy Mounds National Monument Fox 25/48, and many others.
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED DUE TO FLOODING. The event will now be held at Veteran’s Freedom Park.
Contact Cristina Dahl (cristina_dahl@fws.gov) if you have any questions.

West African Drumming with Ghana Mbaye
2024-07-13 13:00 - 14:00 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Ghana Mbaye, aka “Brother Ghana”, was born in Senegal and brought his passion for music with him to the U.S. In this vibrant class, participants will learn about his culture and drums such as the djembe, dun dun, sangba and kenkeni and will have a fun, hands-on experience playing them. This program is free and open to the public.
Legacy programs are made possible thanks to the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and Minnesota residents like you!

Pet Portrait Painting with Willomina Art Studio
2024-07-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Wieser Park Pavilion, 1817 County 6, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Turn your pets into pop-art style creations! Registration with the submission of one pet photo of your choice is required at least ten days prior to the workshop. Teaching artist Willow will hand draw each pet onto canvas and then guide you through a step-by-step class with fun, vibrant colors! No painting experience necessary! This workshop is free and all materials will be provided.
To register, sign up here>>> https://forms.gle/Ss9cXbsqkBwiNEyt7
Legacy programs are made possible thanks to the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and Minnesota residents like you!

A Reading and Author Chat with BJ Hollars
2024-07-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Pearl Street Books, 323 Pearl St., La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
Celebrating the release of “Year of Plenty: A Family’s Season of Grief,” join author BJ Hollars for a reading and conversation with Jess Witkins as they dive into life, the moments that overwhelm us, and find the courage to push on. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing following the talk.
In November 2020, B.J. Hollars answered a call from his father-in-law while teaching. “When will you be home?” Steve asked. “I have news.”
So began the Hollars family’s year of plenty—a cancer diagnosis on top of the ongoing COVID pandemic, then feelings of falling short as parents, partners, and people. While Hollars traces his family’s daily devastations alongside his father-in-law’s decline, he recounts the small mercies along the way: birthdays, campfires, fishing trips, kayaking, and fireflies. As he, his wife, Meredith, and their three young children grapple with how best to say goodbye to the person they love, they are forced to reassess their own lives. How can we make the most of our time, they wonder, when time feels so short?
Written in vignettes and accompanied by photographs and family interviews, Year of Plenty provides a poignant and unflinching account of how death separates us not only from the people we love but from places and memories too. Hollars explores how death’s all-consuming weight has the potential to fracture—rather than strengthen—even those relationships we think we know the best. Ultimately, he cracks wide personal moments from his own life and allows the world to peer in.
B.J. Hollars is the author or editor of more than a dozen books. The founder and executive director of the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild, he is a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Jess Witkins is a freelance writer and director for the La Crescent Public Library. She is a member and critique group facilitator for the Mississippi Valley Writers Guild.

The Truth Hurts: On Clawing, Crying, & Crafting Your Way to Your Memoir
2024-07-20 14:00 - 15:30 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Memoirist Mary Karr asks, “What would you write if you weren’t afraid?” Implicit in the question is that we’re all afraid of writing something. But what? And why? Join nonfiction writer B.J. Hollars for a conversation on writing within—and through—the complexities of our lives. How can we write toward our deeper truths, even when it hurts to do so? This interactive workshop will ask participants to engage with a variety of curated writing prompts geared toward crafting the opening pages of a memoir or short essay.

Coworking Space Open House
2024-07-23 10:00 - 15:00 | La Crescent Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, 111 So. Walnut Street, La Crescent, MN, 55947
We’re having an Open House and a free day of coworking at Keep Company. It’s all happening on Tuesday, July 23rd from 10 am to 3 pm. Come see our space, learn about the amenities, meet with a small business coach, and learn about how our membership can help you be the best version of your freelance, solopreneur, small business owner version of yourself! We hope to see you on the 23rd!

Applefest Minnesota Twins Sparkle Night
2024-07-23 13:00 - 23:30 | TimeOut Tavern, 444 N Chestnut St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join Applefest at the Twins game while raising money for the M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital and rooting on the Twins! Applefest’s royalty will “sparkle” on the field in a pre-game ceremony, and it’s sure to be fun for the whole family!
Applefest is organizing round-trip transportation to the game, leaving Schmitty’s TimeOut Tavern at 1:00pm. Note: Alcohol consumption is permitted on the bus, and bus leaves at 1:00pm sharp.
Minnesota Twins vs. Philadelphia Philles
Game time: 6:40pm
Price: $60*
*Price includes round-trip coach bus transportation from La Crescent and game ticket.
Sign up and reserve your spot(s) with payment by filling out the form at the link!

Death by Apple Bite
2024-08-02 18:30 - 2024-08-03 21:30 | Wieser Park Pavilion, 1817 County 6, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Murder Mystery Dinner
An Appleseed Community Theater Production to support HCP.
August 1st & 2, 2024 at 6:30 pm
Wieser Pavilion
Age 17+
$50/ ticket
Tickets can be purchased on Venmo or at 333 Main Street, La Crescent, MN 9a -3pm

Apple Blossom Bike Tour
2024-08-10 | Veteran’s Park
The Apple Blossom Bike Tour is an annual ride held in La Crescent, MN, and hosted by the La Crescent Rotary Club. Each year, more than 100 cyclists participate in this event, which takes them on 1 of 6 possible routes through the beautiful Apple Blossom Valley region.
The ride has options for everyone, ranging from the most challenging routes for serious cyclists to short & scenic routes for families and children. The event is sponsored by local business, charities, and individuals with the main goal of bringing together our community and serving important charitable causes.
Register Here!

Shriners Parade
2024-08-10 10:30 - 11:30 | MN
The Shriners will be hosting a parade in La Crescent on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 10:30 am. Select the following link for complete details: Shriner Parade Details

Entrepreneur Event
2024-08-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Fours Seasons Community Center, 900 N Kingston St, Caledonia, Minnesota, 55921
Redwing Ignite in partnership with SMIF Rural Entrepreneur Venture is offering an opportunity to learn more about what resources and support is available for all entrepreneurs. Free to all registrants.
Learn about four local entrepreneur’s journey, what obstacles they overcame, and what opportunities they took advantage of.
Entrepreneur Guest Panel:

Studio M and Emerald Lane-Kristina Hauser
Sno-Pac Foods-Pete Gengler
Frank & Julia’s-Bryan Spier & Tracey Knutson
Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/entrepreneur-event-tickets-940335848837

Doubt: A Parable - Preview
2024-09-07 19:30 - 22:00 | Commonweal Theatre Company, 208 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, MN, 55949, United States
Against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1960s, the conduct of a popular young priest is called into question by Sister Aloysius, a Catholic school principal deeply rooted in tradition. As the actions and motivations of both are scrutinized and suspicion mounts, the two are drawn into a battle of wills that threatens irrevocable consequences. Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, this searing drama examines the precarious balance between fact and faith.

Root River Trail Towns Garage Sale
2024-09-13 - 2024-09-14 | MN
The Root River Trail Towns’ annual 60-Mile Garage Sale includes ten towns along the Root River Water Trail & Root River/Harmony-Preston Valley State Bike Trails. Each town will have a listing on Google maps of all of the homes and businesses that will be having garage and sidewalk sales.
Make sure to stop and try our unique restaurants or stores along your way!
Event Website: https://www.rootrivertrail.org/events/60-mile-garage-sale-187/

Early La Crescent History and the Apple Industry w/ Apple Tasting
2024-09-14 10:00 - 11:00 | SpringBrook, 1384 County Rd 25,, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Ever wonder why La Crescent is known as the Apple Capital of Minnesota? Join us for a short slideshow and stories of early La Crescent history followed by an apple tasting from local orchards. Open to all ages and free to attend!
Apples donated by Van Lin Orchards and Bauer’s Market.
For more history, visit the La Crescent Area Historical Society, open every Saturday through October from 12-4pm.

Hobbit Book Discussion and Lord of the Rings Trivia
2024-09-17 18:30 - 20:00 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Celebrate Frodo & Bilbo Baggins’ birthday at the La Crescent Public Library! Resident LOTR expert Molly will lead a book discussion of The Hobbit and trivia. Enjoy background music of the movie soundtrack, as well as tea & snacks provided.

Applefest 2024
2024-09-20 - 2024-09-22 | MN
The La Crescent Apple Festival was founded in September 1949 by Ralph Jones and Mel Hickenbotham, with the purpose of promoting La Crescent, its apple industry, and “putting La Crescent on the map”.
This year’s Applefest is September 20-22, 2024.
Click here to go to the Applefest website for a full listing of events.
We hope you will join us in celebrating!!

Applefest Orchard Tours
2024-09-21 12:30 - 16:00 | La Crescent Hockey Arena, 520 S. 14th St, La Crescent, MN, 55947
Come join the La Crescent Chamber of Commerce as we explore Van Lin Orchards in La Crescent. You can pick apples and learn more about the amazing history of the orchard industry in La Crescent. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Please sign up beforehand so we can plan. More information is below.

Pick up at 520 S. 14th St, La Crescent (by hockey arena).
Tours run every 15 minutes starting at 12:00pm. The last bus returns at 4PM
Admission is Free
Sign up here

Orchard Information

Van Lin Orchards is a pick-your-own orchard. They have fun activities for kids, including a corn maze. They also have a gift shop.

Contact chamber@explorelacrescent.com for more information.

Four Ways of Being a Woman Artist in a Man's World: A Driftless Regional Read Program
2024-09-24 18:00 - 19:00 | MN
For centuries, women were excluded from art academies, life drawing classes, and the career of professional artist. Even so, many women still found ways to learn to paint and much of their work is being rediscovered in our day.
In this virtual talk, award-winning author Erin Bartels will outline the life and work of four female artists in France in the late 1800s who, while contemporaries of one another, approached their art and their lives in different ways as they attempted to navigate societal restrictions and cultural expectations of what women should do and what they were even capable of doing. Then she’ll bring the issue into the present, unpacking the ways we all tend to restrict ourselves from creating and sharing our creations today, despite the fact that societal norms have changed and we enjoy unprecedented freedom to choose. She’ll also talk briefly about how her exploration of women artists made its way into her latest novel, The Lady with the Dark Hair.
Registration is required. Click this link to register and receive the virtual program link! >>> https://forms.gle/oBQEskvrFAfhdDgn7

Pint Size Polka with Mike Schneider
2024-09-26 15:30 - 16:30 | Wieser Park Pavilion, 1817 County 6, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Help protect the Polkasphere with Pint Size Polkas! Sing, clap, and dance along with the music, and enjoy trivia, jokes, and a special edition of “Name That Tune”. Activities will incorporate everything from folk tales such as Paul Bunyan & Babe the Big Blue Ox, to theme songs from popular movies and TV shows with environmental connections.

Nature, Poetry, Community, Modernity: Writing Our Complex Natural-Cultural Moment w/ Moheb Soliman
2024-10-05 13:00 - 14:00 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Through guided discussion and reading & writing prompts, we will consider how contemporary nature writers can navigate between the many disparate feelings evoked by our by our environment. Poet and artist Moheb Soliman will share his own process in writing HOMES, his critically acclaimed ecopoetic poetry book about the Great Lakes Region. This program is free and open to the public and sponsored by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Cars and Coffee Tour
2024-10-12 | Affogato Lane Coffee Co., 28 N. Walnut St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Houston County Chamber Collaboration Cars & Coffee Tour
Sip and Showcase!
Join us on Saturday, October 12, 2024, to tour Houston County in your Classic Car and enjoy a great cup of coffee at several coffee shop locations.
Complete a Punch Card and be entered into a drawing!
To register and receive a route map, please email mellingson@caledoniamn.gov by September 30th.
