Seven enormous metal sculptures (standing four to five stories high) decorate the 32-mile stretch between the towns of Gladstone and Regent, North Dakota.  This is the Enchanted Highway.  The awesome sculptures and the vision and resolve of artist Gary Greff, have been heralded from Nickelodeon to People Magazine.  Most recently, the Enchanted Highway was featured in American Road magazine.  The largest sculpture, Geese in Flight, is noted in the Guinness World Records as the largest metal sculpture in the world.  It weighs 78.8 tons and measures 110 feet in height and 154 feet in width.  The Enchanted Highway is a fun, free addition to your North Dakota road trip.

The Peace Garden State, and her sister-state to the south, are celebrating their 120th birthdays today!  President Benjamin Harrison signed the statehood proclamations of North Dakota and South Dakota on November 2, 1889.  Here are some fun facts about this fabulous state:  The state beverage is milk.  Enough wheat is annually produced here to make 15.5 billion loaves of bread; soybeans to make 212 billion crayons; and potatoes for 171 million servings of french fries.  Italy continues to be the largest importer of North Dakota durum wheat.  The largest museum in the state – the Heritage Center - has free admission.  And the top attraction in North Dakota is Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  Happy birthday North Dakota!  For more fun facts, visit ND Tourism.

North Dakota has plenty of treats for visitors (and residents) this weekend!  Tonight, a Halloween Party and Haunted Walk is taking place in Marmarth.  Tomorrow, visit the Frontier Village in Jamestown when it gets a spooky makeover for trick-or-treaters.  The state’s largest museum, the Heritage Center in Bismarck, invites guests of all ages for a History Haunt.  And in Grand Forks, guests can tour the “Legends of Terror Haunted House and Half Pint Haunt for Kids.”  Take a walk on the wild side in Washburn, or check locally for other fun and inviting things to do.

When we say “get lost” it’s an invitation!  This is the last week to challenge your directional skills at the Amazing Corn Maize south of Mandan.  This year’s maze literally honors the Lincoln penny - with the penny carved out of acres of corn.  Plan ahead to conquer the maze – this Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  Otherwise … you’ll have to wait until next year!

So who’s up for some fright nights?!  This weekend, Fort Abraham Lincoln, south of Mandan, lets its ghostly history out of the closet.  “Haunted Fort” is an event that celebrates the mysteries surrounding the Fort’s remains.

Remember the Blair Witch Project?  The fun folks at Fort Abraham Lincoln have recorded their own little movie:

Other season-fitting events coming up include the annual Fort Buford Cemetary Walk on October 24, the Cavalier Halloween Parade, also on October 24, and the Night Eyes Howloween event at the Red River Zoo in Fargo, October 24-25.  There are a lot more Halloween events on the ND Tourism calendar.  Have a howling good time!

The Minnesota crew, 2008

Tonight, we’re expecting a group of men from Minnesota to ring the doorbell at our house.  This is an annual voyage.  A manly type of event.  You see, it’s hunting season – undeniably one of the most popular times of the year in North Dakota.  My husband and his buddies load up the dogs and the gear and will be in pursuit of geese, sharptail and maybe even a walleye.  That’s the thing about North Dakota, it’s bountiful for many reasons and on a three-day adventure you can have three different pursuits.  I just read a column, written by Sam Cook of the Duluth News Tribute, which talked about the friendliness hunters find in North Dakota too.  Thanks Sam; be sure to visit again soon!

For information on public lands available to hunters (PLOTS) in North Dakota, seasons, licensing and regulations, visit the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website.  And most of all:  Good luck!

It’s a long weekend for our friends in Canada and we know some of them have traveled south to enjoy some shopping and fun!  North Dakota is the 10th most visited U.S. state by Canadians.  We have a lot of fun with our neighbors to the north, along with some friendly hockey and curling rivalry!  This post helps connect visitors to shopping and dining information in our biggest cities.  Remember, CVB and Chamber sites can give you detailed community information.  Happy Thanksgiving Canadians!  Bismarck-Mandan CVB • Dickinson CVB • Fargo-Moorhead CVB • Greater Grand Forks CVB • Minot CVB • Williston CVB

Last night the University of North Dakota won their first game of the season, an exhibition match against the University of Manitoba.  The next two weekends are home games at UND, in the incredible Ralph Engelstad Arena.  And if you like hockey as much as I do, you’ll want to visit another spectacular new arena just upstream.  The Urban Plains Center in Fargo is home to the Fargo Force, a new USHL team.  The Force play at home this Friday.  If that’s not enough ice time for you, head west to Bismarck where the Bobcats, an NAHL team, return home October 23.

The Walmart FLW Walleye Tour Championship is taking place right now on the Missouri River.  It honestly hasn’t been great weather for the anglers, but the catch has been pretty outstanding.  Yesterday, the top competitor brought in 35 lbs. of walleye to lock-up his place in the finals.  Tonight and tomorrow, the Bismarck Civic Center is hosting the Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show.  Doors open at 2 p.m. today, noon tomorrow with the tournament weigh-in at 4 p.m.  There will also be free samples and prize drawings.  Best yet, admission is free.  Bring the family!

North America’s largest celebration of Scandinavian culture is taking place right now in Minot. Norsk Høstfest is a festival of dining, crafts, music, entertainment, dancing and camaraderie! Today and tomorrow, there are concerts by county music stars Clint Black and Reba McEntire. Friday and Saturday, music legends Ray Stevens and George Jones perform. Each day, there’s a ton of entertainment – like the Oak Ridge Boys, performances of the “Church Basement Ladies,” musicians, acrobats and much more!  And if you’re heading to Norsk Høstfest this week, be sure to pack your appetite. Culinary favorites include Danish Aebelskivers, lutefisk, lefse, Oof-Da Tacos, Swedish meatballs and Viking-on-a-stick.