Make plans to step back in time to town set in the era of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Each holiday season, the North Dakota town of Garrison (pop 1,500) transforms itself with Victorian-period dress, transportation, food and more. The Dickens Festival takes place November 25-27, December 2-3 and 9-10 and features daily entertainment, tons of special events, tours, carriage rides, contests, shopping and yummy treats!
New events this year include:
A Christmas Quilt Show
Fruitcake Toss
Trains, Tractors, Toys and Cars Show
Cash Cab – take the free taxi, answer the questions and you could win Garrison bucks
Dress Dickens Contest – dress the part and you could win $100
Daily, guests enjoy musical entertainment, an English market, carriage rides, historic tours at Holmes’ Home, the Don’t Be a Scrooge Contest, double-decker bus rides, visits of nearby historic Fort Stevenson, English High Tea, walking tours, lighted parade and holiday sing-along. And yes, “A Christmas Carol” is performed nightly.
And you may need good food to keep your energy up so here’s a peek at just a few menu items: turkey drumsticks, sausage-on-a-stick, meatballs and pickled walleye, fleischkeuchle, knoephla soup and cheesecake.
For more information, visit the Dickens Festival website and click on the 2011 Dickens Gazette link for a complete schedule, maps and coupons!
This weekend, the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team will face their rivals at the University of Minnesota and North Dakota Tourism is proud to once again be a sponsor of the series with Fox Sports North. The Friday night game will be aired by FSN in North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Iowa and starts with the pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.
During Friday’s pre-game show, two legendary North Dakotans take center stage as FSN host Marney Gellner interviews 13-year Minnesota Vikings tight end Jim Kleinsasser. Gellner, a native of Minot, and Kleinsasser from Carrington, talk about some of their favorite North Dakota places.
Starting this weekend, four fabulous North Dakota prize packages will also be open for entries at the Fox Sports North Fan Zone. Enter to win:
One peek at North Dakota’s upcoming events calendar and you’ll see a theme: It’s hunting season – so go hunt up some awesome sales, deals, unique art, crafts and handmade goods!
These are the shows that you wait all year for. (I think that’s why “the big one” is in the name of a few.)
Fort Abraham Lincoln has a reputation as one of the most haunted places of North Dakota. Rumor has it that when Custer House (where General George Armstrong Custer and his wife Libby lived) was reconstructed in 1989 the men and women who long ago lived and died at Fort Lincoln were themselves resurrected. Interpreters and tourists both reported paranormal experiences from the beginning, and as more buildings were added, so too were hauntings to the chronicles of the strange and unexplained at Fort Lincoln. A woman wearing a black dress is seen looking out a second-floor window of the Custer House; footsteps are heard pacing the sergeant’s quarters in the Barracks; the voices of weeping women echo along the boardwalk; a shadowy figure stalks the Commissary at night; horses’ hooves stomp the dirt of their stalls in the Stables.
Paranormal activity has continued for years; occasionally a new phenomena is documented, like floating orbs in photographs. In 2002, Haunted Fort was created at Fort Abraham Lincoln – giving visitors the opportunity to have a spooky, hair-raising good time at a fascinating (and haunted?) historic site.
Haunted Fort will be open October 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29. Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is a great visit at all times of year.
Not only is Norsk Hostfest the most happening Scandinavian festival in North America, but it literally is going on as planned. Next week (September 27-October 1), visitors can indulge in Nordic culture and entertainment. More than 200 internationally recognized artisans, crafters and chefs participate.
This year’s entertainers include Martina McBride, Trace Adkins, the Judds, Bill Gaither and Charley Pride. Limited tickets are available online and by phone.
Here’s your chance to go behind the scenes of an old-fashioned radio variety show! It’s taking place this Saturday in Medora at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre. Dakota Air: The Radio Show will featuring comedy skits and music along with local history, culture and talent. Organizers say this will be an action-packed, fast-paced show and one-of-a-kind experience. The show is produced and hosted by Merrill Piepkorn.
Comedian and storyteller Steve Stark will perform with the Airheads Radio Acting Company. Guest stars include singer/songwriter Jesse Veeder-Scofield, columnist and cowboy poet Rodney Nelson and former Highway 101 lead-singer Paulette Carlson. Paulette and the Radio Stars will play a 45-minute concert immediately following the radio show.
For tickets and more information, go online. And if you can’t be there in person, be sure to tune into the live show on PBS.
Vacation gold. That’s what many travelers to North Dakota tell us they’ve found along their journey. Visitors write and tell us about the friendly people, the beautiful scenery, the adventures, the great food and the lasting memories.
Vacation memories truly are treasures – and if you’re looking to combine the two, journey to Carrington on September 17 for Autumn JunkFest - an event known for turning memories into treasures. Visitors find antiques and “junk” refurbished and repurposed for home and garden. There is also a popular Flea Market.
The Carrington area has great attractions and lodging options for more vacation memories. Consider a tour of historic Putnam House – a 4,300 square foot home built in 1907 and featuring family history and museum collections.
In nearby Jamestown, visitors can delight in pioneer history at the Frontier Village and the National Buffalo Museum. The museum cares for a live buffalo herd with three very rare albino bison.
Interesting history – found through treasures, experiences and travel – can make your trip to North Dakota golden. For more visitor stories, be sure to visit www.RUlegendary.com.
Me circa 1995 - a ride on a stunt plane at the Fargo AirSho
In 1995, I was an intern reporter for The Forum and had the unique opportunity to fly in a two-person, bi-wing, aerobatic plane – one of the Pitts S-2B aircraft in the Sierra Aces Aerobatic Team performing that year. The ride was thrilling – to say the least.
The Sierra Aces won’t be performing in Fargo this year, but the renowned US Navy Blue Angels will be, along with War Birds, Blackhawks and other stunt pilots and teams. More than 15,000 spectators are expected each day of the show – taking place Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14, at the Hector International Airport in north Fargo.
The Fargo AirSho has an incredible schedule and good forecast ahead of it. Visitors will find interesting aviation exhibits and tours and should also consider stopping by the Fargo Air Museum.
The FM RedHawks also have a home stand this weekend against Minnesota rivals the St. Paul Saints. Tickets are still available. For more great options in Fargo-Moorhead, stop by the Convention and Visitors Bureau – featuring the original woodchipper from the movie Fargo.
If vacationing takes you across the state – find many more things to do at www.NDtourism.com.
This weekend is the 112th annual Deuce of August Icelandic celebration in Mountain, North Dakota. If you aren’t familiar with Mountain, it’s a town of 130 people that more than quadruples in size with this celebration of Icelandic heritage and culture. Always held the weekend before the first Monday in August, it coordinates with the Islendingadagurinn - the Manitoba Icelandic celebration in the town of Gimli.
The town of Mountain is one of the oldest Icelandic settlements in the U.S. The Vikur Lutheran Church, established in 1880, is known as the oldest Icelandic church in all of North America.
Events start tomorrow and take place throughout the weekend. More than 300 visitors from Iceland will be attending this year including a choir group which will be performing.
Free genealogy research is another perk offered to guests – including more than just family trees for participants; sagas and stories of ancestors are shared.
The Frostfire Summer Theatre performance of Big River is also taking place this weekend and is a short drive from Mountain. Watch the story of Huck Finn come to life on a beautiful outdoor stage.
If you’re traveling North Dakota this summer, look for state tourism personnel in unlikely places – like rest areas and gas stations. We’ll be out-of-the-office Fridays in July, providing traveler assistance in terms of route and destination information as well as asking for brief travel information – like how long you’ve been planning your trip and if you’re traveling for business or pleasure.
And speaking of travel tips – here are a few resources to keep in mind as you’re planning your summer getaway.
The North Dakota Tourism website has events, accommodations like hotels and campgrounds and attraction information. There’s also a special section for vacation packages.
If you already know where you’ll be visiting – check the local Convention and Visitor Bureau website for details and even specials and coupons. These offices are great places to stop once you’re in town as well!
Fishing? You can get your North Dakota fishing license online.
Wondering about your route? Check the North Dakota Dept. of Transportation road map.
Several travelers have been asking about flooding affecting their favorite North Dakota city or attraction. The Tourism Division is keeping tabs on all affected routes and sites. If you have questions, we can help. Call our travel counselors at 1-800-435-5663. Here are some hot updates:
Bully Pulpit Golf Course in Medora currently has 9 holes open for play, including some signature holes.
For more North Dakota news – be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
And a quick “congratulations” to North Dakotan Amy Anderson who finished 63rd in her first professional golf tournament – the U.S. Women’s Open. Golf the legendary courses that Amy has played in North Dakota – affordable, accessible, scenic golf in the state with the most courses per capita.
Make plans to step back in time to town set in the era of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Each holiday season, the North Dakota town of Garrison (pop 1,500) transforms itself with Victorian-period dress, transportation, food and more. The Dickens Festival takes place November 25-27, December 2-3 and 9-10 and features daily entertainment, tons of special events, tours, carriage rides, contests, shopping and yummy treats!
And you may need good food to keep your energy up so here’s a peek at just a few menu items: turkey drumsticks, sausage-on-a-stick, meatballs and pickled walleye, fleischkeuchle, knoephla soup and cheesecake.
