Sure, summer visitors enjoy Detroit Lakes and the 412 nearby lakes. They enjoy the nearby state parks and the bird watching along the migratory flight line.
But Detroit Lakes has something most other communities lack: A huge music festival.
Each August for 25 years, country music lovers have gathered at the Soo Pass Ranch outside Detroit Lakes for the WE Fest, a weekend of great country music featuring some of the country's top acts.
Founded in 1983, WE Fest founder Jeff Krueger has seen his festival grow and grow and grow. 2006's attendance? 150,000 people. The draw? Strong musical lineups and a down home, good time atmosphere.
But there are many other things to do in Detroit Lakes. If you're more in tune with folk and alternative music, come in July to be part of the new 10,000 Lakes Festival - a new event at the Soo Pass Ranch. Or do you prefer the Big Band sound or maybe a musical? The Holmes Theater offers diverse cultural performances.
Music permeates many community events - from the Street Faire at the Lakes and Art in the Park to the Northwest Water Carnival and area powwows.
The Dick Beardsley 1/2 Marathon and 5K Runs return every September. The Friday spaghetti feed is followed not only by Saturday's race, but by plenty of extras such as chip timing, performance fabric garments, entertainment along the course as well as water and rest stops.
There is also the Street Faire at the Lakes. It's six blocks of art, music, entertainment and food. One hundred and twenty-five juried artists set up their paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry and other first class art along Washington Avenue. Clowns and musicians stroll the sidewalks. Bands perform on the main stage. Children will love the balloons, having their faces painted and riding on the carnival rides. You can mellow out with classic folk music or soothing Bluegrass.
In late July, the Arts in the Park celebration features not only 150 vendors who set up in the shade of City Park and spread out their wares, but also Ecuadorian rhythms to entice you to the park next to Detroit Lake.
Just after the July Fourth celebrations comes the Northwest Water Carnival which features volleyball, water skiing, mountain biking and sailing. There's a chili cook off, water fights, kids' games, bingo, music, food and a parade Sunday morning.
But the fun doesn't end in summer. There is the Detroit Lakes Santa's Parade of Lights. Watch sled dog racers mush and cross-country skiers swoosh on the miles of open track. There's curling, of course, and what would a Minnesota town be without its version of an icy dip in the lake. The Polar Plunge in Little Detroit Lake takes place every February.
Detroit Lakes had a population of 7,348 in 2000, with an average house price of $83,400 in 2000. Over 83 percent of residents have at least a high school degree.
Development of the Detroit Lakes area began in 1871, as the Northern Pacific Railroad etched its way westward through Becker County. The city was founded by Col. George Johnston, who came to Minnesota in 1871 to select land for the New England Colony. The name Detroit came about when a French Catholic priest camped on the lake shore. The water was low and revealed a sandbar which created a narrow strait that glistened in the setting sun. The priest thought it was a beautiful strait -- "straight" being "detroit" in French -- and consequently the city was named Detroit. After continuous postal mix-ups between Detroit and the other city in Michigan, a special election was held on September 7, 1926 to change the name to Detroit Lakes.
Contributed by John Fitzgerald. John is a freelance writer based out of Buffalo Hills, MN.
