Flekkefest 2022 is coming!

Flekkefest, one of Minnesota’s biggest and best Scandinavian celebrations, will run from Friday, August 5,  until Sunday, August 7 this year. Actually, you can add Thursday as the opening day, because at 7:00 p.m. there will be a book signing and talk by author Nate Moir at the library, and the dedication of the new Library Courtyard with an ice cream social.

       Shopping

Downtown merchants will be on the sidewalks for Crazy Days all day Friday. Rummage sales will also be going on all over town and the “Oldies but Goodies” sale/fundraiser at the Grant County Museum.

Catch up on reading material at the Used Book Sale/fundraiser in front of the library. There will also be tattoos, face painting, gourmet root beer floats, and mini golf on the lawn. All these activities run from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friday, and until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.

There will be an Arts and Crafts Fair on the lawn of the Courthouse from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 on Friday and Saturday.

Things to do

The Great Snoose Box Hunt and Quarters and More Dig get started at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the Grant County Herald building. Get there on time as this activity can go pretty fast.

There will be Pony Rides and a Petting Zoo by the Community Building, and Games to Go Inflatables at Soo Park from noon until 4:00 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.

The annual 5K Run/Walk and 1K Fun Run get started at the Athletic Park Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. Along with the annual Flekkefest Softball Tournament, which runs all day Saturday.

Build your own milk carton sailboat for the Milk Carton Boat Race Saturday at 10:30. The location will not be announced until 9:30 depending on wind direction. Ask at the Flekkefest information booth.

A local remote control model airplane club is putting on a flying demonstration, Saturday, at the airport from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00.

When was the last time you visited the beautiful Grant County Courthouse? Free tours are being offered on Saturday, every hour on the hour, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

While at the Courthouse, get to know your Grant County Sheriff’s Department for a meet and greet, in back of the building from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Help make Elbow Lake a more colorful city by taking part in the Sidewalk Chalk Contest, in front of the Grant County Offices building from 11:00 until 1:00 on Saturday. Register by 10:45, prizes will be awarded at 1:00.

The Grant County Museum will sponsor a History Program on “Life at Fort Pomme de Terre,” Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Find your spot to watch the great Flekkefest Parade, Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. The parade will start at the school, go west to Central Ave., then east on Division to Veterans Park.

How about something different? Check out the Slow Bike Race at Veterans Park, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.  There will be two divisions; one for 12 and under, and one for 13 and over age groups. Bring your bike and find out How Slow Can You Go?

The Firemen’s Street Dance, featuring the Winter Sloths, will be at the fire hall from 8:00 p.m. until midnight on Saturday. 

Fireworks over Flekkefjord lake will commence at dusk.

Sunday morning there will be a community worship service at Veterans Park starting at 10:00 a.m.

Things to eat

Get a taste of Europe at the European Kaffe Haus in the Community Building from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.

Or try something more substantial at the Taste of Scandinavia at Hans House from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 Friday and Saturday.

The Flekke-Feast Food Fest has something for everyone as various vendors test your taste buds with everything from burgers to tacos to corn on the cob. It all takes place Friday only at Veterans Park from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00.

The WCA Football team will be serving a pancake breakfast, at the Community Building Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00.

On Saturday, there will be a picnic in Veterans Park, following the parade, featuring Gobble Up Turkey Sandwiches starting at 6:00 p.m. This is a fundraiser for WCA Arts Programming.

The always popular Elbow Lake Lions Fish Fry will be at the fire hall from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 Sunday.

And remember, the drawing for Flekkefest Button prizes takes place at 12:30 Sunday, during the fish fry.

Music

Flekkefest has always featured a wide variety of great live music, and this year is no exception. Local keyboardist Jay Johnson will play in front of the Community Building Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00, and the duo Bruce Neumann and Tiki D will play those same hours on Saturday.

County band the Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboys will play at Friday evening’s Flekke-Feast in Veterans Park from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00.

There will be a street dance featuring Eighth Hour at the Knotty Pine, Friday, starting at 9:00 p.m.

The Firemen’s Street Dance features The Winter Sloths, Saturday evening.

Hear some authentic Scandinavian Folk Music with the Stenslie Brothers, Sunday during the fish fry at the fire hall.

Events and times are subject to change, check <www.flekkefest.fun> for the latest information.