Summer is always fabulous at Lake of the Woods and local events just add to the attraction of the World Class Fishery here. We’re coming up on July 4^th where the town and resort area goes all out to make this holiday very special in the northland.

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Lake of the Woods over July 4^th, make sure you have your reservations because this is such a popular time for visitors and alumni to visit and re-visit the area. Lake of the Woods is the home of Willie Walleye at the mouth of the Baudette River which flows into the Rainy River which is the border between the US and Canada.  Good news is the border crossing is fully open and travelers are welcome to travel between the two countries with their passport in hand.

Willie Walleye Weekend was a huge success being held at the Lake of the Woods Fair Grounds. Food vendors and events entertained the crowd all weekend.

Another event happening very soon is the annual Take a Kid Fishing. This event happens on June 21^st and launches out from Sportsman’s Lodge. Participants are able to spend a full day fishing off of a charter boat with a captain in charge. Many volunteers make this event very special to kids who might not have experienced this grandiose lake. Did you know that the grand prize this year is a Lifetime Fishing License? Wow, what a prize!! The day finishes off with a superb fish fry at the resort off the shore of the Rainy.

Then comes the event of all events for the summer and I’m speaking of the Fabulous Fourth of July extravaganza. This year the 4^th falls on a Tuesday but event planners start off the celebration on Monday, July 3^rd. The Lake of the Woods Museum is open that day from 10 a.m. -2:00 p.m., Food Vendors will be setting up on the Main Avenue and the Women of Today are hosting a Walleye Fish Fry at 5:30 at the Moose Lodge. The annual Street Dance will follow featuring the live band, Ditching Dellmar.

The July 4^th events start off early in the morning with a Breakfast sponsored by the Women of the Moose from 8 a.m. to noon at the Moose Lodge. The Firecracker 5K Walk/Run starts at 8:30 a.m. with Registration at the Wells Fargo intersection and ending on Main Ave.

The restored Baudette Depot will be open for tours from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and the LOW Museum will again be open that day from 10 a.m.  The American Legion Post #217 will perform a flag ceremony that morning at 11:30 a.m. at the Willie Walleye Hill. Two local singers will perform “God Bless America” and the “Star Spangled Banner”.  The VFW will be the location of a Pie and Ice Cream Social from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and again after the parade until evening. Balloon Animals are available that day for all the kiddies from 1p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Main Ave. by Touch of Magic for ages 3 and up on Main.

Did  you say Kiddies? The Kiddies Parade will take place along the parade route starting right before the main parade. Face Painting for the kids is sponsored by the Williams Potato Days Committee at 3:30 p.m and of course there will be Kids Activities, races, etc. at Willie Walleye Hill throughout the day. A special feature of the day especially for kids are performances at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on the Main Stage by “Mixed Nuts”, a two-person comedy team.

One of the events highlighting July 4th is the Main Parade that starts at 2:00. Alumni, businesses, individuals, resort owners, antique car owners, firefighters and first responders all enter floats or their vehicles to create a celebratory atmosphere for thousands of spectators lining the streets. It’s a perfect time to see friends who come home for the celebration and also for family gatherings.

This writer’s favorite event is Northern Minnesota’s Spectacular Fireworks that takes place on Willie Walleye Hill. Literally thousands of people find seating all over that hill, along the roads, the bridge and parking lots to set their eyes on this fabulous display. Buttons are sold to fund the event and the Baudette-Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce provide funds for the event. To see all the people on the “hill” is incredible and then the show begins at around 10:15. The fireworks light up the sky over the Baudette Bay and people are cheering and applauding the tremendous sight. Hats off to the committee who work setting off the fireworks with their expertise and commitment to the show.

I must say, that this might be small town America, but the volunteers and service organizations that help sponsor this great event and make it so great must receive a big vote of thanks for all their hard work and effort put into this great day.

Come to Baudette/Lake of the Woods to fish, vacation and enjoy this special day in the northland.

For more information and lodging see: www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com/lodging

See our FaceBook page at: www.facebook.com/lakeofthewoodsmn

Oh yes, don’t forget about Lake of the Woods County Fair coming up also July 12^th-16^th. It’s their 100^th Birthday!!!