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Summer is officially here with one of the biggest weekends in our county.  Lindstrom will host the super popular Karl Oskar Days and Rush City will host the Chisago County Fair.  

As you page through this edition of the Press, it will be impossible to miss the giant spread of Karl Oskar Days happenings and the local businesses who support it.  KOD (I will use this abbreviation to save finger strength) officially kicked off Wednesday with Harmony in the Park and  other fun activities.  Today (Thursday), all ladies of all ages are invited uptown for “Kristina’s Night” filled with great shopping at local businesses along with giveaways and some fun games.  At 5pm, all are invited to the lawn at Gladje for a Kubb tournament.  If you have never played Kubb, find out what you are missing. It’s super easy to learn and everyone can play it.  The evening wraps up with a cornhole tournament in the Lindstrom Muni yard under the coffee pot at 6:30pm.

Friday, come to Lindstrom for all day sidewalk sales with artists doing some demonstrations at 10am.  There is a photography show at the Chamber building from 1-5pm and at 4pm the beach is the place for Karl Oskar Days fair games, rides, and of course, food.   Trinity Lutheran will host their family bingo Friday evening at 6:30pm and Lindstrom Fire Department will hold a Brews & Tunes dance at the fire hall from 8pm until midnight.  As always Friday evening is the night for fireworks at Beach Park so keep your fingers crossed the rain that is in the forecast holds off.

Saturday begins with the Lindstrom Loppet 5K race/walk.  You can register prior at the event which begins at Lakes Free Church by the high school.  The race officially begins at 8am.

There is a pickleball tournament at the Wildcat Center that starts at 8am and the very popular 3on3 basketball tournament at Trinity Lutheran Church starts at 9am.  St. Bridget’s parking lot will host a car show from 9am to 1pm.  Out at Ki Chi Saga Park you can tour the Karl Oskar House all day.  Back in town the Masons will hold their corn feed beginning at 11am.  

At 6pm, the KOD parade makes its way through downtown, so get your spots early.  The evening caps off with a street dance at the Muni parking lot featuring The Breakfast Club.

Sunday there is an outdoor service at First United Methodist at 9am, and more downtown shopping, a Scandinavian fiddle group at the Karl Oskar House with the weekend wrapping up with an all-star wrestling event at the Wildcat Center at 5pm.  

I forgot to mention the snuff box has been hidden and clues-posting started Wednesday and will be posted daily at noon at Deutschland Meats, the City of Lindstrom, Carlson’s Amoco and here at the Press. Find the snuff box and claim a $1,000 prize.  Not sure what it looks like? Trust me if you find the snuff box you will know.

The Chisago County Fair begins today in Rush City.  On top of seeing the farm animals, there is a carnival featuring rides, games and fair food.  The motocross races begin at 7pm with The Soupbones taking the stage at 9pm.

Friday the day is filled with fun and caps off with everyone’s favorite the demolition derby that starts at 7pm.

Saturday the demolition derby returns for night two followed with The Farmer’s Daughter taking stage at 9pm.   Remember the County Fair parade makes its way down West Fourth Street and into the fairgrounds at 3pm. 

Sunday is for kids, with face painting, balloon artists, an obstacle course, fair-do’s and lots of games.  If you bring a non-perishable food item you will get discounted ride passes.

The community lost a good one last week.  Larry Houger passed away. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Larry served as Mayor of Center City not so long ago.  I have known the Hougers for a very long time and Larry and Bonnie his wife are absolutely super people.  Larry will be missed.

Happy birthday to my beautiful wife Cheryl.  I love you with all of my heart.

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