It's another busy week in Northern Minnesota. Here are some events to check out:
Monday, July 14
- 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.
More from the KAXE Morning Show
Tuesday, July 15
- "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
Thursday, July 17
- 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
Friday, July 18
- 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.
Saturday, July 19
- 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
Sunday, July 20
- 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.
-
Plus: the DNR has identified the origin point and people of interest in the Flanders Fire; Bemidji bus drivers advocate for better pay before School Board; and Itasca County votes to fly two different state flags.
-
Jordan Zempel, 35, of Apple Valley, faces a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl.
-
Daniel Dale of Hoyt Lakes made his first court appearance May 19, 2026, on the upgraded felony charge. He remains in custody in the St. Louis County Jail.
-
Accurate mapping of the fire perimeter led to the fire size increasing to 356 acres. The wildfire destroyed 34 structures and was caused by a power line.