Greetings from Grand Marais, where everything is geared up for the 92nd annual Fisherman’s Picnic.
The event, which draws families and friends from all over to celebrate the North Shore, has changed a lot over the years. but there’s still lots to see and do. Local historian Dan Helmerson will give a presentation on the history of Fisherman’s Picnic with narrative and photographs at the Johnson Heritage Post at 1 p.m. on Thursday. All invited. Free.
Covid-19 has put a damper on some events at the Picnic, but there are still plenty of things to see and do. And, of course, a chance to sample the iconic food of the picnic, a fishburger.
Everything from the kids’ tractor pull to a trail run, the cutest puppy contest to the loon calling contest — these are just a few of things on tap for this event. And not to forget the great Fisherman’s Picnic Parade, which is at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
There are demonstrations and special events, too, including blacksmithing demonstrations and a presentation about local mural artist Lyle Saethre.
To see all the details and the schedule of events for this weekend, click here.
One interesting note: For the first time since the pandemic, we can listen to some of our favorite local bands. The stage at Harbor Park will be one of the centers of the Picnic this year with bands we haven’t heard in more than a year, playing their music. Check out the Live Music schedule below for who is playing when.
Also on tap for this weekend:
Julie Kean will be giving birchbark basket weaving demonstrations at North House Folk School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Julie Kean will demonstrate birchbark basketweaving at North House Folk School Thursday through Sunday.
The Grand Marais Art Colony‘s Instagram Takeover Artist on Thursday and Friday is ceramacist Chotsani Elaine Dean.
To see what she is posting, click here.
The Cook County Market, which features work by local artists and artisans, will be open on Friday and Saturday in a new location : on the street in front of the World’s Best Donuts.
On Saturday, the Grand Marais Art Colony will host a video presentation entitled “Reverence” with artists Steven Spazuk and Danielle Delhaes, who will participate via Zoom.
The presentation is free. All invited.
Exhibits:
The Johnson Heritage Post is featuring two exhibits this month.
Hansel Belvo and Marcia Cushmore’s exhibit, Two Artists- Two Stories: Juxtaposition During a Covid Conversation, opened last weekend and continues through Aug. 15. The outstanding exhibit features panels of works created by the artists during the pandemic.
The gallery is also featuring a retrospective of works by John A Spellman III.
The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and Monday, and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Free.
Photographer Nathan Klok has opened an exhibit of his photographs of the Split Rock Lighthouse at the park. It continues through August.
Upcoming:
Minneapolis blues singer Annie Mack will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m., the first concert held by the North Shore Music Association since the pandemic. Stay tuned. For tickets,click here.
On Sept. 5, a touring theatre company, The Fox & Beggar Theatre, will present ” Goodnight, Absolom!” at the Grand Marais Tourist Park. Stay tuned for details.
The Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth is next weekend, Aug. 13-15, featuring blues artists from across the nation. To find out more, click here.
Artists at Work:
Grand Marais singer/songwriter Michael Monroe is moving to the Twin Cities to continue his career. Here’s a video/song he produced entitled “Time to Move On.”
Painter Jan Attridge has recently completed a book of her animal paintings.
Other art finds from afar we found this week:
Online Music:
Live Music:
Thursday, Aug. 5:
Harbor Park:
- Rox & Soul, 11 a.m.
- Kenna Rose, 1 p.m.
- Common Ground, 3 p.m.
- 4 Shore, 7 p.m.
Other Venues:
- Al Oikari & Rod Dockan, Cascade Lodge Restaurant and Pub, 6 p.m.
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
- Jon Miller & Harrison Olk, Gunflint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 6:
Harbor Park:
- Bug Lite, 11 a.m.
- Portage Band, 1 p.m.
- Splints, 3 p.m.
- Pete K & Friends, 7 p.m.
Other Venues:
- Jim McGowan, Birch Terrace Deck, 5 p.m.
- Pete Kavanaugh, WTIP’s The Roadhouse, 6:15 p.m.
- Jon Miller & Harrison Olk, Gunflint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 7:
Harbor Park:
- Joe Paulik, 11 a.m.
- Joshua Schmidt, 1 p.m.
- Brothers in Arms, 3 p.m.
- The Evening Stars, 7 p.m.
Other Venues:
- Fleetwood Maki, Birch Terrace Deck, 3 p.m.
- Sky Blue, Cascade Lodge Restaurant and Pub, 6 p.m.
- TBA, Gunflint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 8:
Harbor Park:
- Briand Morrison, 12-1 p.m., 2-2:30 p.m.
- AAD Drum & Bugle Corps, Duluth, 2:45 p.m.
Other Venues:
- Boyd Bump Blomberg, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 10:
- Gordon Thorne & Friends, Gunflint Tavern, 7 p.m.
Photographs:
We found lots of images this week.
Spiders were a theme.
And we found two of the Goldenrod Crab Spider:
And here’s a close-up:
And butterflies:
More wildlife shots:
Landscapes & Skyscapes:
And this thought for today:
Have a good weekend, everyone!
Have a good weekend, everyone!
{ 1 comment… add one }
Thanks for putting this newsletter together, Joan!