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If you are looking for a small town to visit, look no further than Houston and Whalan, Minnesota. Both communities are hosting signature events this coming weekend: Music in the Bluffs and Houston Hoedown Days.
Small Town Vibes in Whalan
Whalan, population 67, hosts three outdoor concerts throughout the summer, one each month. The community’s next Music in the Bluffs concert takes place Saturday, July 25. The concerts are held in the city’s shaded park along the Root River State Trail in downtown Whalan. Look for the gazebo.
Midwest singer-songwriter Allison Sky takes the stage at 4 p.m., followed by the Stryker band at 6 p.m.
“The music resonates with audiences of all ages,” said Music in the Bluffs founder Jane Lewis about this summer’s concert lineup.
The family-friendly event is free to attend. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, as picnic table seating is limited.
The city will be selling hot dogs, brats, chips, cookies and bars, and drinks before and during the concert. They accept cash only.
Houston Hoedown Days Returns
Twenty-five miles down Hwy. 16 along the beautiful Root River, Houston Hoedown Days, July 24, 25 and 26, celebrates more than 50 years of bringing 
the community together with three days of entertainment, competition, and family fun.
“We’ve been bringing the community together for more than 50 years and inviting our friends and neighbors to come celebrate with us,” said Tony Schultz, Houston Hoedown Days president. “We can truly say that we have everything for the family to enjoy whether you’re in the park or at the fest grounds. Parades, cornhole tournament, kids activities, softball for men and women, tractor pulls from pedal tractors to the NTPA pull on Saturday night, and plenty of live music all weekend. New this year is a mechanical bull and pro-wrestling on the fest grounds. We hope everyone can make the trip to Houston and have a great time!”
The full schedule of events can be found at houstonhoedown.com. Buttons are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. They get you into every event on the fest grounds.
Upcoming Events
•July 20-26, Fillmore County Fair, Preston
•July 21, Music in the Veterans Park, Caledonia
•July 24-26, Houston Hoedown Days, Houston
•July 25, Engelhart Performance Car Show, Rushford
•July 25, Music in the Bluffs, Whalan
•July 26, Music in Bandstand, Peterson
•July 28, Music in Veterans Park, Houston
•July 31 – August 2, Buffalo Bill Days, Lanesboro
Do not forget to pick up your free copy of Visit Bluff Country at one of more than 1,000 locations across thirty-five counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Visit Bluff Country magazine is dedicated to promoting tourism throughout scenic Bluff Country.
For festival updates, travel ideas, and recommendations on where to eat, play, and sleep, visit us online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.
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