Events Up North July 14-20: Concert for lost trees, Iron Range music history

Published July 11, 2025 at 8:55 AM CDT

Events this week include the Hubbard County Fair in Park Rapids, "Willy Wonka" in Pequot Lakes, Smokey Bear Day at Itasca State Park and an author brown bag in Brainerd.

It's another busy week in Northern Minnesota. Here are some events to check out:

Summer Brown Bag author series - noon at the Brainerd Public Library. Minnesota author Andrea Gilats will discuss her book Radical Endurance: Growing Old in an Age of Longevity.
Northern Lights Music Festival presents Learn: Music on the Iron Range - 7 p.m. at the B'Nai Abraham Cultural Center in Virginia. Author and columnist Aaron Brown will talk about the history of music on the Range.

"Christmas in July" fundraiser - 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Walker. Featuring crafts, baked goods, lunch and more. Proceeds benefit area non profits.
Tuesday Summer Concert Series - noon at Grace Bible Church in Grand Rapids, featuring percussionist Brady Kacon.
Emergency preparedness presentation - 1 p.m. at the Bemidji Senior Center.
Hubbard County Fair in Park Rapids

Smokey Bear Day - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Itasca State Park. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower visitor center. Learn how fire affects the forest, check out fire trucks/equipment and get your photo taken with Smokey.
Garden open house - 1 to 4 p.m. at Happy Dancing Turtle in Pine River
Author talk with Eric Dregni - 7 p.m. at Bemidji Public Library. Dregni is the dean of the Italian Concordia Language Village and author of the travel memoir Never Trust a Thin Cook and Other Adventures from Italy's Culinary Capital.
Pillager Fair
Hubbard County Fair in Park Rapids

Pillager Fair
Hubbard County Fair in Park Rapids
75th Anniversary of Beltrami Soil & Water Conservation District - 5 to 7 p.m. at Movil Maze Recreation Area near Bemidji. Enjoy a cookout and learn about shoreline health and other programs of the SWCD.
Pequot Lakes Community Theater presents Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka - 7 p.m. at Pequot Lakes High School theater
In Memoriam - A Concert at the Loss of Trees - 7 p.m. at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse in Bemidji. Bring your own chair.

Pillager Fair
Hubbard County Fair in Park Rapids
Watermark Art Festival - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Watermark Art Center and Library Park in Bemidji
Pequot Lakes Community Theater presents Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka - 2 p.m. at Pequot Lakes High School theater
Artist reception for "Luna" exhibit - 3 to 5 p.m. at Ripple River Gallery, located south of Deerwood

Hubbard County Fair in Park Rapids
Watermark Art Festival - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Watermark Art Center and Library Park in Bemidji
Pequot Lakes Community Theater presents Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka - 2 p.m. at Pequot Lakes High School theater
Bemidji Community Band concert - 7 p.m. at Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex on the Bemidji State University campus

What's going on in your community? Let us know!

Events Up North is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.