An Evening with Marcie Rendon: Anishinaabe Author, Poet, and Playwright
2024-12-05 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join us at the Community Building for a conversation with the author of the Cash Blackbear series, Anishinaabe mystery writer Marcie R. Rendon!
Pearl Street Books will be selling copies of Marcie’s books, which she will be available to sign after the program.
MARCIE R. RENDON is an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, author, playwright, poet, freelance writer, and community arts activist. Rendon supports native artists, writers, and creators to pursue their art, and is a speaker for colleges and community groups on Native issues, leadership, writing. As the creative mind behind Raving Native Theater, Rendon has also curated community created performances such as Art Is… Creative Native Resilience, featuring three Anishinaabe performance artists, which premiered on TPT (Twin Cities Public Television), June 2019.
This program is sponsored through a community collaboration grant with the City of La Crescent and the La Crescent Area Historical Society thanks to the MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Houston Holidazzle
2024-12-07 09:00 - 18:00 | Houston Public School, 306 W Elm Street, Houston, 55943, United States
Houston Holidazzle 2024 Dashing Through the Snow 1 mile fun run/walkFREE TO ENTER THIS YEAR/FUN PRIZES TO THE FIRST 50 PARTICIPANTS TO REGISTER THE DAY OF THE RACEDecember 7, 2024 at 9:30 AM (Registration starts at 9am)This years theme is “GRINCH”Whether you want to dress up as the classic green grump,Cindy Lou Who, or one of the merry Who’s from Whoville, wecannot wait to see your creative take!Strollers and pets welcome!*Registration is FREE this year but come at 9am to register on December 7th & get fun prizes for the first 50 participants to sign up.Questions?-email prkeehner@gmail.com.*After the race, stay for the Houston Holidazzle, starting in the high school at 10 AM
Evening ends with a parade and lighting up the park.

HOLIDAY TRAIN
2024-12-10 14:00 - 15:00 | 215 So Chestnut St. La Crescent, in the parking lot, 215 So Chestnut St., La Crescent, MN, 55947
Join us to celebrate the holidays! Please bring a donation for the La Crescent Food Shelf.

Hygge for Hot Reads (Silent Book Club)
2025-02-06 18:00 - 20:00 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Hygge (hyoo-ga) is a Nordic word that basically means “cozy”. Stay cozy at the library after hours for our Silent Book Club, Hygge for Hot Reads! Wear your comfiest clothes, bring a blanket & a good book, and enjoy a warm beverage, quiet music, & silent reading time.
Hot Reads for Cold Nights is our winter reading program for grown-ups. Fill out book reviews to earn prizes & raffle entries for the grand prize:
~ 1st & 2nd book reviews: Hot cocoa & raffle entry ~ 3rd book review: Hot cocoa, raffle entry, & mug ~ Grand prize: Affogato Lane gift basket ~

Valentine Chocolate Sale
2025-02-13 15:30 - 18:00 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Order chocolate for Valentine’s Day and support your local library at the same time! The Friends of the La Crescent Library are hosting their annual Valentine Chocolate Sale at the library on Thursday, Feb. 13th 3:30-6pm. Pre-orders are strongly encouraged – call (507) 895-4047 to order before Feb. 3rd. The assortment of homemade chocolates and fudge are pre-plated. Plates are $15 each.

Planning Meeting For All School Reunion
2025-02-20 18:30 - 20:00 | La Crescent-Hokah High School, 1301 Lancer Blvd., La Crescent, Minnesota, 55947, United States
La Crescent-Hokah ALL SCHOOL REUNION
A small group of “Old Lancers,” (The Spirit of the Sixties Scholarship Committee) are hoping, before it’s too late, to have a La Crescent-Hokah ALL SCHOOL REUNION!
The spring of 2026 will mark 60 years since our first graduates, the Class of 1966, received the first-ever diplomas issued by District #300!
We’ve got a date selected: The weekend of July 18, 2026.
We’ve made initial contact with the City of La Crescent and with the La Crescent-Hokah Schools. They have both expressed enthusiastic support!
Now, in order to make this happen we need help! We need individual community members, alumni, school staff, city officials, civic groups, Apple Fest folks, and business people.
We need leadership, ideas, enthusiasm, and financial resources.
We will hold our initial organizational meeting on Thursday, February 20th, at 6:30 in the media center at La Crescent High School.
If you cannot attend but are interested in contributing your thoughts/help in the planning process, please reach out to us.
John Haugan
jdhaugan@gmail.com
507-429-0426
Linda (Tikal) Gasper
ddtikal@gmail.com
608-385-6671
Our last All School Reunion was in 1991. That reunion was a boost for our entire community. It renewed relationships, and we had a great time!
Please spread the word, and we look forward to seeing you on the 20th!
John D. Haugan
Class of ‘66
Linda (Tikal) Gasper
Class of ‘68

Annual Chamber Member Dinner, Celebration, & Live Auction
2025-02-22 17:00 - 21:00 | Pettibone Resort, 333 Park Plaza Dr, La Crosse, 54601, United States
Join us for an evening of delicious food, great company, and exciting auction items, all while celebrating our members and the incredible achievements of our local business community.
✨ Highlights include:

A tasty dinner
Live auction with exclusive items
Networking with fellow members and community leaders

Timeline:

5PM: Social Hour, Cash Bar, Raffle Baskets
6PM-6:45PM: Buffet Style Dinner
6:45-End: Program and Live Auction

RSVP today to reserve your spot and be part of this special celebration! Tables are $300

Documentary & Dialogue
2025-02-27 18:00 - 20:30 | Corky’s Pizza, 25 S Walnut St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join us for a documentary showing and discussion of “Separated: Children at the Border,” the inside story of what happened to immigrant children separated from their parents at the border. The film explores the impact of a “zero tolerance” policy, and how various policies have dealt with minors at the border. Following the viewing, we’ll have a discussion led by the Refugee Response Team from Prince of Peace Church.
Run time of the film is 1 hour and is rated for ages 14 and up. Discussion questions, further reading and viewing materials, and resources will be provided at the program.
This event is free to attend and sponsored by the La Crescent Public Library and Refugee Response Team of Prince of Peace Church. We encourage attendees to support our venue partner, Corky’s, by purchasing food and drink if you are able.

Oline Muus: The Life and Legacy of a Norwegian-American Feminist
2025-03-12 18:30 - 19:30 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join the La Crescent Public Library for a book talk with Kari Lie Dorer, the editor & co-translator of Muus vs. Muus: The Scandal that Shook Norwegian America.
Oline Muus was many things: Norwegian Immigrant, pastor’s wife, mother, and valued member of her rural Minnesotan Lutheran congregation. But when she sued her husband to recoup her inheritance, she gained notoriety throughout Norwegian America and beyond.
Kari Lie Dorer holds the King Olav V Chair of Scandinavian-American Studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.

Bringing Light into Darkness.
2025-04-09 17:00 - 19:30 | La Crescent-Hokah High School, 1301 Lancer Blvd., La Crescent, Minnesota, 55947, United States
La Crescent Lions & Rotary Clubs invite you to attend an important community event on Suicide Prevention on the evening of April 9th. We are working with Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center, La Crescent-Hokah High School, and other sponsors, for this Bringing Light Into Darkness event.
We need volunteers to help serve the free meal, but we also want to encourage all our members to show support by attending the event.
We get it; suicide prevention can be a difficult topic, but the conversation is important – not just in our schools – but throughout our community. Come share a meal, walk through our Resource Fair, and watch a documentary about a young suicide survivor, Emma Benoit, who will then be part of a panel discussion following the documentary.
You can come for just the meal and resource fair or stay for the whole event. You will learn ways you may be able to help a grandchild, a friend, or a neighbor. Counselors will be available throughout the evening to assist as needed.
April 9th Schedule: 5pm – 6pm Free Meal and Community Resource Tables, 6pm – 7:30pm Showing of “My Ascension”, 7:30 – 8:30pm Panel Discussion Featuring Emma Benoit.

La Crescent Live Kick Off Event!
2025-04-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Wieser Park Pavilion, 1817 County 6, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join us Friday, April 11th for La Crescent Live 2025 Kick Off Event at The Wieser Park Pavilion!
Connect with friends and enjoy live music, snacks and beverages. Find out the amazing 2025 Summer Concert Line-Up!

Author Talk with Nickolas Butler
2025-04-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Pearl Street Books, 323 Pearl St., La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
Join La Crescent Public Library for a conversation with author Nickolas Butler about his newest book A FORTY YEAR KISS.
About the book:
Charlie and Vivian parted ways after just four years of marriage. Too many problems, too many struggles, even though the love didn’t quite die. When Charlie returns to Wisconsin forty years later, he’s not sure what he’ll find. He is sure of one thing — he must try to reconnect with Vivian to pick up the broken pieces of their past. But forty years is a long time. It’s forty years of other relationships, forty years of building new lives, and forty years of long-held regrets, mistakes, and painful secrets.
A brave and triumphant exploration of redemption and sunset triumph, A FORTY YEAR KISS is a once-in-a-lifetime love story, written with dazzling lyricism and remarkable clarity of spirit, from a celebrated author at the top of his game. It’s a literary valentine that promises to be a love story for the ages.
About the author:
Nickolas Butler was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, raised in Eau Claire, WI, and educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop. He is the internationally best-selling and prize-winning author of one collection of short stories and three novels. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their two children.

Self Defense Class for all Genders
2025-04-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Caledonia MS/HS Multi-Purpose Room, 825 N Warrior Ave, Caledonia, MN, 55921, United States
This self defense seminar for all genders, ages 13 and up, will teach participants to defend themselves through verbal intervention, physical counter attack techniques, preemptive maneuvers, and the use of self-defense devices to quickly and decisively end an attack. An emphasis is placed on empowering the mind as the primary tool for self-defense.
This class will be led by Master Jeff Wood, a 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a master martial arts instructor for over 30 years. He is the President/C.E.O. of the Young Americans Schools of Self-Defense, Inc., in Lakeville, MN.
Date: Saturday, April 12
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Caledonia MS/HS Multi-Purpose Room
Cost: $30 due Monday, April 7
(Scholarships/Fee Waivers available if needed)
To register, call 507-725-5139 or email community_ed@cps.k12.mn.us

Dodge County, Inc: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America – Author Talk with Sonja Trom Eayrs
2025-04-12 11:00 - 12:00 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join the La Crescent Public Library for a talk with Sonja Trom Eayrs about her book Dodge County, Inc: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America. The Trom family has farmed in Dodge County, MN for generations, but in the mid-90s, Dodge’s livestock farmers became ensnared in contracts with corporations like Tyson, Hormel, JBS, and Smithfield Foods. This was the beginning of a perilous journey as a generation of small farmers was squeezed out of the market.
Sonja Trom Eayrs is an author, an attorney, the business manager for the Trom family farm, and is involved in several rural advocacy organizations. Through Dodge County, Incorporated, Sonja recounts her family’s litigation against the Dodge County board to prevent a corporate factory farm from going up across the road from the family farm. She weaves her family’s struggle to fight corporate injustices in rural America with the larger story of corporate livestock production in the United States.

Pushing the River: A Conversation with Frank Bures and Judson Steinbeck
2025-04-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Pearl Street Books, 323 Pearl St., La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
Join La Crescent Public Library for a conversation with author Frank Bures and his friend Judson Steinback about Frank’s new book PUSHING THE RIVER.
About the book:
A collection of true stories as varied as the waters, weather, and rhythms of a canoe trip. From the terror of two kayakers who barely escaped the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire in the Boundary Waters to two young campers who experienced a supernatural scare in Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park in the 1970s to the author’s own miraculous rescue, Bures shares varied takes on what happens when you push the river.
The heart of the book is a telling of the lost history of the Paul Bunyan Canoe Derby, an annual 450-mile race run on the Upper Mississippi in the 1940s and 1950s that gave canoe-racing legend Gene Jensen his start—and which changed the course of modern canoeing. The tale includes the dominance of racers from the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, including many members of the Tibbets family, and the unacknowledged contributions of Ojibwe canoe builders Jim and Bernie Smith, whose design features are now part of the modern canoe-racing landscape.
Frank Bures is an award-winning author whose work has appeared in many publications. Originally from Winona, he now lives in Minneapolis and works as the editor of UNDER PURPLE SKIES: THE MINNEAPOLIS ANTHOLOGY. He has also served on the support crews for the 2021 and 2023 Guinness World Record teams for paddling the the Mississippi River.
Judson Steinback developed his love of paddling while fishing with his family and friends as a child. He has competed in and won numerous paddling races throughout the world, and is currently one of four teammates who hold the Guinness World Record for the “Fastest Team to Paddle the Length of the Mississippi River.” Judd organizes the Goose Island Grind, a local paddle race in La Crosse.

Annual BCC Career Fair and Hiring Event on Wednesday, April 23rd, Please Share!
2025-04-23 09:00 - 12:00 | La Crescent Area Event Center, 595 Veterans Parkway, La Crescent, MN, 55947
Are you interested in promoting the career opportunities of your business or organization to area high school students and the public? Are you currently hiring for full-time, part-time, or seasonal workers? Are you interested in establishing an internship? Your company should be at the Annual Bluff Country Collaborative Career Fair and Hiring Event on Wednesday, April 33, 2025 at the La Crescent Area Event Center!
It is free to participate but businesses must RSVP by contacting Allison Wagner, Houston County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Director at EDA@co.houston.mn.us or 507-725-5836. Businesses can set up a booth/table between 8:00-9:00 a.m. The event will end at noon. We are providing a table, chairs, advertisement to the region, including La Crosse and Winona, and an advertisement to high school students. The majority of attendees will be high school juniors and seniors.
Please indicate if possible age restrictions, position type, job description, etc. for your openings and a job application for your company when you RSVP so the information can be shared.
Space is limited and registration is first come, first served.
This is a Bluff Country Collaborative (BCC) event. For more information about the BCC visit our website here: http://bluffcountrycollaborative.com/. For more information about the career fair/hiring event or to reserve a free spot for your business, contact Allison Wagner, Houston County EDA Director at EDA@co.houston.mn.us or 507-725-5836.

5k Run/Walk
2025-04-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Old Hickory Park, 1135 Johnathan Lane, La Crescent, MN
Bluff Country Family Resources will be hosting a 5K run/walk in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Get ready to lace up your sneakers and join us for an exciting and impactful 5K event! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to get active, this route is perfect for all levels.
Event Details: 📅 Date: April 26th
⏰ Time: Registration – 9:00 am, Line Up – 9:45 am, Race Start – 10:00 am
📍 Location: 1200 Jonathan Ln, La Crescent, MN
🎯 Route: Community streets
Visit: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/run-for-the-one to register!
Let’s come together to support Sexual Assault Awareness Month and make a difference in our community. 💙 Every step brings us closer to our goal!

Racing for Abilities
2025-05-03 13:00 - 20:00 | TimeOut Tavern, 444 N Chestnut St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Mark your calendars for May 3rd at TimeOut Tavern in La Crescent for Racing for Abilities – a Kentucky Derby Fundraiser that benefits individuals with disabilities in Houston County!
Join us for live entertainment, a raffle and auction, and a Kentucky Derby Hat Contest!
Proceeds will directly benefit a variety of recreation and work opportunities in the community provided by Ability Building Community.

Apple Blossom Blooming Soon
2025-05-05 - 2025-05-18 | MN
We will update this page when the apple trees are in full bloom. We will also update our social media pages. We have created a map of our favorite drive to see the Apple Blossoms. Check it out here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1O7sx1KJh80Vv-tzbC7oc0wvOJeZXzCg&usp=sharing
Last updated at 3 PM on 5/5/2025

PARC/RCRC Amazing 5K
2025-05-10 10:00 - 13:00 | La Crescent Wagon Wheel Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge, 32 S Walnut St, La Crescent, Minnesota, 55947
This fun 5K is not a timed race, it’s more like a series of activities that just happen to span a 5K distance. The route includes business stops and participant “challenges” along the way, including a few food and beverage stops. Our main focus is to spotlight wonderful family-friendly activity opportunities that are right in our “back yard”, showcase LOCALLY-OWNED businesses we want to ensure our participants see, and a few LOCALLY-OWNED food/beverage establishments who will provide samples. This event changes location every year, and this year we chose La Crescent to specifically highlight the beautiful bike/pedestrian bridge and vibrant downtown area. This year only also includes an optional “duathlon” feature, a bike ride across the bike/pedestrian bridge to Shore Acres Road and back after completing the 5K. Participants should allow approximately 3 hours to complete the 5K if participating in the challenges (there are MANY!) and an additional 30-60 minutes for the optional bike ride.

Lunch and Learn: Human Resources
2025-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Corky’s Pizza, 25 S Walnut St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Guest Speaker: Human Resources Director
Marge O’Laughlin from Flex Craft in Houston, MN

Marge is an experienced and results-driven Human Resources professional with 15 years of experience in talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and organizational development. Passionate about creating a positive workplace culture and implementing strategic HR initiatives that drive business success. She started her Human Resources career in industrial staffing for more than 60+ Winona area businesses. She has been working for Flex Craft in Houston, MN for almost 9 years now.
RSVP by Thursday, May 15th at noon: chamber@explorelacrescent.com
Date: Tuesday, May 20
Time: Noon-1 PM
Location: Corky’s Pizza. 25 S. Walnut St. La Crescent, MN 55947
$10 includes pizza and a drink.

Storytime for Adults: Yes, No, Maybe So
2025-05-29 18:30 - 20:00 | Saxon Hall, 702 Main St., Brownsville, MN, 55919, United States
Why should children have all the fun? ‘Storytime for Adults’ is at Saxon Hall in Brownsville, MN. Join us to hear your favorite local librarians and performers read some of our favorite short stories and essays. This month’s theme is Yes, No, May-be So and features passing notes in class, first love, and childhood friendships.
Beer and beverages and pizza are available for purchase.
For ages 21+ only. Caution: stories may include adult content. Listener discretion is advised.

La Crescent Animal Care 20th Anniversary in La Crescent
2025-05-30 13:00 - 16:30 | La Crescent Animal Care, 204 S Walnut St,, La Crescent, MN, 54947, United States
On May 30, 2025 from 1:00-4:30 pm, La Crescent Animal Care will be celebrating 20 years at our current location (204 S Walnut St, La Crescent, MN 55947) and 28 years in La Crescent.

Please join us with your furry family members and we will have some treats and prizes for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you for your continuing support and entrusting us with the care of your pets!

The Myth of Neutrality in Museums and Archives
2025-06-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Wieser Park Pavilion, 1817 County 6, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Museums and archives today have to reckon with their institutional history and historical narratives that put the Western world and norms as the default. People who work in the Archives field have a saying for this: “Archives Are Not Neutral,” which tries to address the fact that there are inherent biases in archives, and no history or record-keeping is neutral. Join us for this talk by La Crosse Public Library Archives librarian Jenny DeRocher, who will talk about the history of our museums and archives, and what it means locally to be active participants in rejecting how our cultural heritage is preserved and talked about.
Part of our La Crescent Community Read program series. Join us in further exploration and discussion around Nature, History, Identity, and Discovery.

La Crescent Live - The Breanna Rae Band!
2025-06-11 17:30 - 19:30 | 322 S 1st St, La Crescent
Breanna Rae Band June 11th! Join us for a free family friendly outdoor concert presented by the Lions Club of La Crescent and La Crescent Live at 5:30 in the park at 322 S 1st St. La Crescent! Food and beverage available for purchase! Find out more at www.lacrescentlive.org.

Interactive Papermaking & Native Prairie Planting with Paper Plains
2025-06-16 14:00 - 17:00 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join us at the City Lot behind the Library! Paper Plains invites the community to create paper from regionally-harvested, invasive plants. It is an interactive experience in papermaking and native prairie planting. Workshop leaders demonstrate techniques to participants and engage in a dialogue about the history of invasive plants in Minnesota. Tools in this mobile art studio are adaptable for people of all ages and abilities. The paper that participants make is unique, embedded with native prairie seeds, and carries a little piece of the Great Plains. Whether it hangs on the fridge or gets planted in the garden, handmade paper will grow the arts in your community.
In case of rain, this program will move to the Community Building (336 S. 1st St, La Crescent).
This program is funded by SELCO through a grant from the Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and by MN residents.

Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?
2025-06-18 14:00 - 15:30 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Practice your bird calls with friends from Happy Dancing Turtle, then play Camo Worm and see if you can spot the worms hiding in the grass. Learn about bird nests, camouflage, warning calls, and how to identify bird species by their eggs!

Houston County Dairy Royalty
2025-06-19 11:00 - 13:00 | MN
The Houston County Dairy Royalty will be serving ice cream from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at ESB Bank, 109 S Walnut Street La Crescent. Please stop in and meet the Royalty Court and enjoy a sweet summer treat.

La Crescent Live - Dan & Mary Sebranek & Wayne Beezley
2025-06-25 17:30 - 20:30 | 322 S 1st St, La Crescent
Join us for a free family friendly outdoor concert on Wednesday June 25th at 5:30pm. The La Crescent Lions and La Crescent Live present Dan & Mary Sebranek & Wayne Beezley for a variety of blue grass, rock and roll, acoustic guitar, mandolin and a LOT of fun! There will be food and drinks available for purchase. Visit www.LaCrescentLive.org for more information and a complete summer lineup.

Match-Makers Book Club: Just for the Summer
2025-06-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Bluff Top Vineyard, 27168 Bauer Rd, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Join the library for our latest pop-up book club featuring romance reads and craft time! We’ll have book discussion and craft time over your beverage of choice. Bring a project you’ve been working on, or peruse idea books from the library and coloring pages. Our June selection is “Just for the Summer” by Abby Jimenez. Place your hold or ask at the circulation desk for a copy today!
We’ll meet at Bluff Top Vineyard rain or shine (27168 Bauer Rd, Winona, MN 55987), just a 16 minute drive from La Crescent Library. Please support our business partner if you are able. Snacks/food are welcome while we meet.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it’s now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They’ll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.
Emma hadn’t planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka. It’s supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma’s toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they’re suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?
