It’s State Fair Week

Concerts … food … carnival … exhibits … food … free entertainment … competitions … food … It’s State Fair Week!  Get to Minot for the return of the North Dakota State Fair!  Last year’s flooding in Minot forced the cancellation of the State Fair which is back and bigger than ever in 2012.

Through July 28, guests will find days and nights full of entertainment, food and fun! Upcoming concert headliners include the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chris Young, Blake Shelton and Foreigner.  Plus, there are a ton of free stage acts like the Swampmaster Alligator Show and Comic Ventriliquist.

Families will find SO much to do!  Are you registered for the Cloverdale Hot Dog Eating Contest?  How about the Kids Cupcake Decorating Contest?  Every day, head to the ND Game & Fish Skills Park for hands-on tries at fishing, archery and trapping.  Looking for some deals this week? No problem – the State Fair has them posted online.

And did I mention food?!  With the Fair comes so much yummy goodness!  This year a team of fearless eaters had the super tough job of tasting all the new foods on the midway.  Check out the results … while I apply to be on the judging committee next year.

When visiting the North Dakota State Fair, be sure to take lots of pictures and then upload them to Flickr in order to enter the first ever ND State Fair Flickr Photo Contest! Your photo could win you $500!

 

Tune into FSN on Friday night

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:

• A Grand Forks prize package featuring two nights of lodging in a jacuzzi suite at the Canad Inns, a $100 gift card to the Toasted Frog, $50 gift card to the Blue Moose, $250 shopping spree and two tickets to each University of North Dakota men’s hockey games vs. Mankato State, March 2 and 3.
• A Medora prize package featuring two nights of lodging at the Rough Riders Hotel, two lower-level seating tickets to the legendary Medora Musical, dinner for two at the famed outdoor Pitchfork Steak Fondue, and two rounds of golf with a cart at Bully Pulpit.
• Two Devils Lake prizes
• A two-night stay at Woodland Resort, two-days guided fishing with Mitchell Guide Service, dining and gaming vouchers from Spirit Lake Casino, and $50 in Devils Lake Cash
• A two-night stay at the Fireside Inn and Suites, two-days guided fishing with Bry’s Guide Service,  dining and gaming vouchers from Spirit Lake Casino and $50 in Devils Lake Cash

Winners will be announced during the UND vs. UMN men’s hockey game on January 14, 2012.

 

A cultural vacation

Sometimes when people travel, you’ll hear them talk about immersing themselves in the culture.  Or that they might even be taking a cultural vacation.  In fact, one of the top travel trends in the U.S. is “history and culture” vacations.  But what does that mean?  And could you even be doing it without knowing?

The types of cultural experiences found in North Dakota vary.  Our Culture & Heritage Trail Guide is a free publication dedicated to five themes found in a North Dakota vacation experience.  You can request this publication online or by calling 1-800-435-5663.  The themes you’ll read about include:

• Arts & Entertainment
• Wildlife & Wonders
• Heritage & Heroes
• The Lewis & Clark Trail
• Ranches, Farms & Gardens

The types of culture found in North Dakota is far ranging and includes celebrations of immigrant cultures, like the Ukrainian Festival in Dickinson (July 22-24), the Deuce of August Icelandic Celebration in Mountain (July 29-31) and North America’s largest Scandinavian Festival, Norsk Hostfest in Minot (September 27-October 1).

There are celebrations of western culture, like the  Taylor Horsefest (July 29-30), the Wild West Shootouts at the Frontier Village in Jamestown and Tatanka Festival (July 7-10) and the popular Medora Musical (nightly June 10-September 10).

You can also explore Native American culture at the Northern Great Plains Culture Fest (July 30-31) and the magnificent UTTC International Powwow (September 8-11).

And if you’re looking for history, you’ve visited the right place.  North Dakota is where legends were made and you can follow the Trail of Lewis & Clark, visit Theodore Roosevelt’s cabin in a national park named for him, see the home of Sakakawea, the fort of General Custer, the headdress of Sitting Bull, a museum dedicated to Roger Maris and even the birthplace of Lawrence Welk.

You are invited to visit, explore and enjoy North Dakota’s history and culture.  From one of the oldest standing structures built by immigrants to a botanical garden commemorating international peace – there’s a diverse and fun trail waiting for you in North Dakota.

 

Celebrate National Park Week in North Dakota

Springtime is upon us and Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the perfect place to shake off the winter doldrums with National Park Week, April 16 – 24. Visits to the park during this annual celebration will be free.

The focus of this year’s National Park Week is Healthy Parks, Healthy People, highlighting the connection between human and environmental health and the vital role America’s national parks play in both. “Theodore Roosevelt National Park is an excellent place to enjoy the outdoors after a long winter,” said Superintendent Valerie Naylor. “Whether you prefer a short hike, an overnight trip into the backcountry, watching returning migratory birds, or viewing newborn bison and feral horses, the park offers opportunities for just about everyone to explore and discover.”

Kids and their families are invited to “Calling All Rangers,” an interactive program about national parks and the rangers who work in them, to be presented on both Saturdays, April 16 & 23 at 2 p.m. MDT in the South Unit Visitor Center. Children who attend will become National Park Junior Rangers. A variety of national park movies will be shown in the North and South Unit Visitor Centers on both weekends: at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. MST in the South Unit and at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. CDT in the North Unit. Films will also be shown upon request Monday through Friday of National Park Week.

 

Lots of Theodore Roosevelt related news

This weekend, enjoy free entrance and camping at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (entrances in Medora and near Watford City).  The scenic drives are open, weather permitting, and backcountry skiing and snowshoeing is permitted.

January 15 is Winter Fun Day at the Chateau de Mores in Medora.  Bring sleds, skis, snowshoes and enjoy activities with hot chocolate and cookies to be served.  There will be a fire pit bonfire on the patio and all activities are free including admission to the Chateau de Mores and its interpretive center. 

Theodore Roosevelt Documentary to Air

“Theodore Roosevelt: A Cowboy’s Ride to the White House” will run on 175 Public Broadcast stations over the next few months.  The documentary details Roosevelt’s life as a cowboy and his time in the Badlands of North Dakota, which he said was responsible for him becoming president.  For more information and copies of the film visit www.dorganfilms.com.

 

2011 Guides Unveiled – Get Yours for Free

Governor Jack Dalrymple and North Dakota Tourism unveiled the 2011 Travel Guide and Hunting & Fishing Guide today, and previewed the 2011-2013 state highway map which will be available later this month.  The new publications are available at no cost and showcase a wide array of adventure, activities, events and accommodations in North Dakota.

Wondering where you can golf?  Boating access points?  National and state parks with campgrounds?  Scenic byways?  Snowmobile and ski trails?  Concert venues?  Hotels?  Yes – you can get that information and more in these helpful guides.  An online and mobile version of the Travel Guide will also be available soon.

Ordering is easy, just visit www.ndtourism.com and click the Free Brochures link.