Every fall since 2012, each of the captivating towns along the Root River State Trail and Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail give you a “taste” of their town with different activities, food, music, art and more! Enjoy what is special about each community while you pedal your way through the beauty of Bluff Country along the Root River.
On September 7, enjoy three small towns along the Root River: Lanesboro, Whalan and Peterson. On September 14, continue the adventure with Harmony, Preston and Fountain. And finally, on September 21, pedal the trail and discover the various tastes of Houston and the Rushford area.
Lanesboro is taking a new approach to Taste of the Trail this year by putting their own spin on a European tradition. Andrzej (ahn-jay) Zalasinski, Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce director says, “I see this event in part as an invitation to the Grinzing Heuriger – an Austrian Tavern. We’re collaborating with Houston, Minn., artist Nathan Bailey to showcase his bike art as Lanesboro’s own unique take on the vintner’s bush.”
A vintner’s bush is an advertising tradition rooted in the 18th century, when the sale of home-made food, wine and fruit juice became permitted. Local winemakers started setting up open-air taverns on their premises and inviting people to drink the new wine. Austrians, Germans and Italians continue this tradition today by hanging pine branches, ivy bushes, bundles of straw and birch brooms from their homes.
Come to downtown Lanesboro on September 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., to see unique bicycle art acting as a vinter’s bush in front of local shops and restaurants, signifying the participants of the Taste of the Trail. Shops will be giving away little treasures while the inns and restaurants will be sampling snacks and beverages. Kids activities are planned, and you will even be able to see Bailey riding around on one of his “terra cotta army made out of tall bikes.” Paired with Lanesboro’s Taste of the Trail is the Fall Craft Beer & Wine Fest, where you can sample seasonal beverages all day.
Whalan will offer taste testing of local favorites including lefse and rommegrot, and pie from Aroma Pie Shoppe. Enjoy live music while local vendors will offer up their locally produced items. Food will also be available for purchase, and don’t forget to visit Whalan’s Museum and Ernie’s restored 1917 filling station.
Peterson’s rich culture of both our Nordic roots and love for music at our Historic Bandstand will be just two highlights of our 2019 event. Birding hotspots will be shared with you, the DNR will provide a live trout display, and, from 1-2 p.m., will demonstrate live snakes you may encounter. 4-H Horse Project families will bring small animals for your enjoyment. Featherstone Farms will be selling fresh produce including zucchinis! Don’t forget to take in Burdey’s pies, fall beers at the Legion, ice cream at Geneva’s, zucchini breads, delicious Norwegian sweets – even learn how to make GORO?! Stop for photo opportunities with our 8 ½-foot gnomes or watch a potter create gnomes. To take part in some of the activities, visit our Facebook page to learn about our two All Things Zucchini contests.
On September 14, join us at the Trailhead in Harmony from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for samples from local restaurants, with live music from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ride to Minnesota’s Trout Capital at Trailhead Park in Preston from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. to check out the sounds and tastes of Preston! There you’ll find tastes from local restaurants and organizations, Japanese fish painting with the National Trout Center, fishing, and some great music! Check out the historic railroad display with its brand new interpretive sign about life on the railroad. The restored caboose will be open for free tours! Head up the block to Fillmore Street for a pop-up market with several vendors, check out the shops around courthouse square and end with a taste at the brand-NEW Trout City Brewing! Plus you’ll find garage sales, a tractor pull and demolition derby at the fairgrounds, and a parade of 100 tractors coming in and out of town.
Get a taste of Fountain by visiting Karst Brewing, Village Square, Beaver Bottoms Saloon, and introducing our newest restaurant – AJ’s Diner.
On September 21, meet us at the Rushford Historic Depot along the Root River Trail from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to begin savoring the flavors of the Rushford area. At the Depot, you will find live music from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., pumpkin activities, free popcorn, and the Rushford Fire and Ambulance Services’ Open House next door, including auto extrication demonstrations, a fly-in from MedLink AIR at 1 p.m.; kids activities, and more. You’ll be given a “tasting map” to guide you through Rushford’s downtown to receive samples from many participating businesses and organizations.
Join in on the second annual Houston Block Party that celebrates with a party downtown from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. The alley behind JT’s Bar & Grill will host live music, games, a wine-tasting Chamber fundraiser, and food! This event is a lot of fun and family-friendly!
For more information or to participate in this amazing event contact Jennifer Hengel, Root River Trail Town president at (507) 864-3338 or chamber@rushfordpetersonvalley.com
Leave a Reply