Where's Waldo?
July 1 to 31

Where’s Waldo? In Park Rapids, of course! The iconic children’s book character in the red-and-white-striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting twenty-five local businesses throughout our community this July. Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity and a wonderful way to support local businesses and the Shop Local movement in our community, including Bella Caffe, Lickin’ Good Whole Pet Foods, and Molly Poppins.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Park Rapids!” passport, which contains the names of all the participating sites, and get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot. And to make things a little more challenging, Waldo’s nemesis, Odlaw, will also be hiding in Beagle and Wolf Books. Collecting store stamps or signatures at twenty or more businesses will entitle diligent seekers entry into a grand-prize drawing on July 31, with the top prize being a copy of Where’s Waldo? Destination: Everywhere!, a tribute to Waldo’s many decades of wandering.

Did you know that during the early years of the twentieth century, community bands were as important to mid-sized towns as professional sports teams are to large cities today? A renowned Music Man was G. Oliver Riggs, who was employed at one time or another by Bemidji, Crookston, Grand Forks, and St. Cloud. Riggs’ great-granddaughter, Joy Riggs, writes his story in her new book, Crackerjack Bands and Hometown Boosters. Join us as Joy opens a window to an earlier time, and hear about civic pride, community participation, and the power of music to transform lives and connect people across generations.

Sarah Coomber
July 23: The Same Moon, Noon to 2:00

Minnesota native Sarah Coomber will sign copies of her memoir, The Same Moon. At 24, recently wed—and quickly divorced—Sarah escaped the disappointments of her Minnesota life for a job teaching English in Japan. Her plan was to use the year to reflect, heal, and figure out what to do with her wrecked life while enjoying the culture of the country where she had previously spent a life-changing summer.

The reality?

Sarah found herself the lone English speaker in an isolated rural area, where she was drawn into serving tea to her male coworkers, performing with a koto (zither) group, advocating for her female students and colleagues, and embarking on a controversial romance with a local salaryman.

This isn’t the Japan Sarah was seeking, but it just might be the Japan she needs.

Harper Live Video for Facebook

Last summer, our friends at Harper Collins boosted a video tour of the store. This year, they want us to make another video, sharing our recommendations for the best summer reads. Join us live in the store or on Facebook as we reveal our choices of the summer’s

Noel Allard
July 26: Minnesota Aviation History, Noon to 2:00

Was there flight in Minnesota before Charles Lindbergh put our state on the aviation map? Noel Allard’s fascinating account of the growth and development of aviation in Minnesota covers 88 years, from the time when Minnesotans flew in balloons until 1945, This is your chance to hear all about it—and to buy a signed copy of Noel’s book!

Timothy Otte & friends
July 27: Rebound, Restart, Renew, Rebuild, Rejoice, 2:00 

Timothy Otte will read from his manuscript-in-progress, Landscape Quartet, and his chapbook Rebound, Restart, Renew, Rebuild, Rejoice . Otte is a recipient of a 2019 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative grant and mentorships from the Loft Literary Center and the Poetry Foundation. He lives in Minneapolis, grew up spending summers at cabins in Dorset and Hackensack, and now keeps a home on the internet: timothyotte.com. He will be joined by fellow poets, making the afternoon a delight for poetry lovers.

Art Leap, Park Rapids’ annual open studio event
September 28 and 29

We’re going to be a site for Art Leap! We’ll host artist Kent Estey. Here’s what he says about himself and his work:

Kent Estey is a proud member of the White Earth Nation of Anishinaabe, in Northwestern Minnesota. He and his wife Becky live and work on the White Earth Reservation where Kent teaches Art, Technology and Robotics at the local Charter School in Naytahwaush, Minnesota.

“I’ve always been drawn to the sky and water. The serenity found there provides me endless opportunities to paint. I am surrounded by the woods and beautiful lakes of Northwestern Minnesota, so for me, inspiration is everywhere.

I consider myself a contemporary artist, with a special interest in sky and landscapes. My paintings are typically more nonrepresentational and abstract in nature. I love color of course, and texture. I use a variety of mediums in my paintings, including acrylic, oil, and inks. Some of my more recent painting feature stone, copper, and other metals. I am inspired by earth-tones with deep shades of blue, brown and red. 

Although I am very proud of my heritage, viewers may find that my work doesn't necessarily represent or depict traditional Native American themes. My inspiration comes from nature, and often times, my feelings and emotions are what's expressed on canvas and paper.

I've learned that I cannot paint for others, first. I have to paint with my heart and my vision. That’s when I capture and celebrate my beautiful Ojibwe heritage.”

—Kent Estey

For more information about Kent Estey’s work. 

For more information about Art Leap.

2020 Night In/Morning In
January 18 and 19, 2020

Looking even further ahead...

...our annual event is so popular we've already started to plan for next year!