La Crescent Live Kick Off Event!
2025-04-11 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | 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?

Circus Manduhai
2025-06-28 11:00 - 12:00 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Join us at the City Lot behind the Library for an interactive program featuring foot juggling, acro-balancing, contortion, juggling (diablo, balls, clubs, & spinning plates) unicycle, and hula hoops!
In the case of rain, this program will move to the Community Building (336 S. 1st St, La Crescent).
Circus Manduhai was founded by Chimgee Haltarhuu in 2003. She came to America from Mongolia in 1991 to work for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Co. Through Circus Manduhai, Chimgee shares her Mongolian culture with audiences in Minnesota and the upper midwest.

So You Want to Be an Owl? with the International Owl Center
2025-07-02 15:00 - 16:00 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Learn first-hand about owls and their amazing behavior. Become an honorary owl by learning how to hunt, play, hoot, fly, survive dangers and raise owlets of your own. As a reward for becoming owls, you’ll get to meet a real live owl!
This program is funded by SELCO through a grant from the Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and by MN residents.

Whitewater State Park's Prisoner of War Camp
2025-07-03 18:30 - 19:30 | La Crescent Area Event Center, 595 Veterans Parkway, La Crescent, MN, 55947
Did you know that Whitewater State Park was once home to German Prisoners of War? Come learn about one of lesser-known parts of Minnesota’s history. What did they do here? Where did they go? What was life like being a prisoner? Come find out! Light refreshments provided.
This program is part of a collaborative grant series with La Crescent Public Library, American Legion Post 595, VFW Post 11542, the La Crescent Area Historical Society, and City of La Crescent. It is funded by SELCO regional library system and the Legacy Amendment, Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Jeremy Darst is a native of southeastern Minnesota and grew up exploring the driftless area. He currently works as a naturalist at Whitewater State Park and enjoys delving into the park’s rich history. His interest in the former German prisoners was first sparked during a class trip he took to Whitewater State Park over 30 years ago.

Comedy Magic Show with The Great Brodini!
2025-07-08 17:00 - 18:00 | La Crescent Farmers Market, 595 Veteran's Parkway, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Laugh until you cry at Brodini’s amazing magic tricks, where kids are a part of every show! Brodini performs a variety of tricks that will leave you wanting to learn the magical arts yourself. Scarves, coins, cards, balls, ropes, and ordinary items become animate objects of wonder and curiosity in Brodini’s hands, but never without some help from children and adults in the audience. Transformations, relocations, thin-air illusions, and surprising predictions keep young and old laughing, looking, scratching their heads, and wanting more!
In the case of rain, this program will move to the Wieser Park Pavilion (1817 County Rd 6, La Crescent).
This program is funded by SELCO through a grant from the Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and by MN residents.

La Crescent Live - BT Band
2025-07-09 17:30 - 20:30 | 322 S 1st St, La Crescent
La Crescent Live presents a free family friendly outdoor concert on Wednesday July 9th at 5:30pm. BT Band is a country and rock cover band that is guaranteed to have you singing and dancing all night! Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Find out more on LaCrescentLive.org.

Chamber Golf Outing
2025-07-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Valley High Golf Course, 9203 T-243, Houston, MN, 55943, United States
The La Crescent Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism will be hosting their Annual Golf Outing at Valley High Golf Club. Full details are below.

Date: Thursday, July 17th.
Time: The tournament will start at 10:00am with a shotgun start.
Format: Four-person scramble
Team sponsored registration includes lunch, golf cart, 18 holes of golf for a team of 4, fun, and prizes.
Registration deadline of July 3rd. This outing is open to all members and non-members.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Please email Brian at the chamber to learn more and to register your team.

Click here to download the flyer:

Live Music with Balkan Blue
2025-07-17 17:30 - 19:30 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
This program is co-hosted with La Crescent Live! Join us at the City Lot space behind the La Crescent Public Library. All ages are welcome to attend this free event!
Enjoy the unique and compelling sounds of Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey, as well as songs from the Romani people, Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary, Ukraine, Georgia, and Spain. BALKAN BLUE is a collective of musicians delivering complex melodies and danceable acoustic beats from the Balkans and beyond, using traditional folk instruments and hand percussion. Though seemingly obscure, Balkan music is an undercurrent phenomena, with lots of folk dancers and niche musicians familiar with and enjoying the style. The band offers workshops and storytelling based listening events along their travels.
Featuring:
Nicolle (Jensen) Roen on vocals, accordion, Macedonia tambura, and percussion – based partly in Winona MN (her hometown) and Santa Fe, NM (since 2003), Nicolle Roen is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, utilizing an accordion and Tambura (traditional stringed instrument of Macedonia and northern Greece) to accompany her voice.
Frank Bramlitt on percussion: doumbek, frame drum, riq, tapan, and Albanian daire – Frank Bramlitt is a hand percussionist extraordinaire, storyteller, and general grand showman with a history of performing for belly dancers and at Ren fairs.
Sally Reimer of Galesville, WI joins the group on mandolin and bass, and Sophie Rogg of Decorah, IA joins on vocals and hand percussion.

Aloha Storytime with Musical Guest Rose Oyamot
2025-07-18 10:30 - 11:30 | La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main St., La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Children and families are invited to sing along with Ms. Rose and her ukulele to explore stories and interactive songs celebrating Asian, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian heritage with Aloha Storytime. This program is designed for a Pre-K audience. All are welcome to attend as it is free and open to the public.
This program is funded by SELCO through a grant from the Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and by MN residents.

La Crescent Live - Tom Conrad
2025-07-23 17:30 - 19:30 | 322 S 1st St, La Crescent
La Crescent Live presents a free family friendly outdoor concert on Wednesday July 23rd at 5:30pm. Tom Conrad plays wonderful tunes from the 60s 70s and 80s to today. His voice and songs entertain audiences of all ages. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Visit LaCrescentLive.org for more information.

Insect Action! Author Visit and Makerspace Challenge with Local Author Heidi Braun
2025-07-24 15:00 - 16:30 | La Crescent Community Building, 336 S. 1st St, La Crescent, MN, 55947, United States
Leap like a katydid and sway like a walking stick! Learn fascinating facts about insects as you move through the pages of Insect Action! An Alphabet, Rhyming, and Movement Book. Local author Heidi Braun will read from her book and lead fun insect-related crafts.
Heidi Braun has been fascinated by insects for as long as she can remember. She combined this special interest with her passion for children’s literacy and her experience as an early childhood specialist to create her first children’s picture book, Insect Action! An Alphabet, Rhyming, and Movement Book. She and her husband live in southeast MN.
