Lanesboro, Minn -- 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 much more! Enjoy what is special about each community while you pedal your way through the beauty of Bluff County along the Root River.

 

Mark your calendar: on Saturday, September 7, put your kickstand down and let your bike rest while you enjoy three small towns along the Root River. Lanesboro, Whalan and Peterson are a great way to start this wonderful event. On September 14, continue your taste adventure with Harmony, Preston and Fountain. And finally, on September 21, pedal the trail and discover the various tastes of the Rushford area and Houston.

 

Lanesboro will be 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, “Drawing from my Polish-Austrian roots, into this already culturally eclectic small gem in Southeastern Minnesota, I see this event in part as an invitation to the Grinzing Heuriger [ˈhɔʏʁɪɡɐ] – an Austrian Tavern. We’re collaborating with Houston, MN, artist Nathan Bailey to showcase his bike art as Lanesboro’s own unique take on the vintner’s bush.”

 

What is a vintner’s bush you ask? In short, it’s an advertising tradition with roots 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 Historic Downtown Lanesboro on September 7th 10am-2pm, where you will 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 items like stickers, bike charms, coupons, and various other treasures, while the inns and restaurants will be sampling snacks and beverages. Conveniently paired with Lanesboro’s Taste of the Trail, is the Fall Craft Beer & Wine Fest, where you can sample seasonal beverages all day. Lanesboro Arts will be providing kid’s activities, and you will even be able to see artist, Nate Bailey riding around on one of the many pieces of his “Terra Cotta army made out of tall bikes.” 

 

Whalan will be offering Free Taste Testing of local favorites including Fresh Lefse, Rommegrot and pie from Aroma Pie Shoppe. Charlie Warner will be providing the music. Local Vendors will be offering up their locally produced items. brats, hot dogs and beverages will be available. 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. Wildlife and farm life surround us, so birding hotspots will be shared with you, the DNR will provide a live trout display, and, from 1-2 PM, the DNR will demonstrate live snakes you may encounter. To celebrate our farm life, 4-H families part of the Fillmore County Horse Project will bring small animals for your enjoyment. Featherstone Farms will be selling fresh produce including zucchinis! Don’t forget to taste Burdey’s pies, fall beers at the Legion, ice cream at Geneva’s, a variety of zucchini breads, delicious Norwegian sweets - even learn how to make GORO?! Don’t forget to stop for photo opportunities with our 8 ½ foot gnomes - Gunnar and Gustav - or watch our favorite potter create gnomes. And finally, do you wish to be an active part of our event? Go on facebook to learn about our two All Things Zucchini contests. $1 Hot Dogs, brats, popcorn and cold beverages will be sold by Friends of Peterson.

 

The following weekend, on September 14, join us in Harmony, at our Trailhead from 10-2 for samples from local restaurants and live music by Charlie Warner from 11-1.

 

Ride to Minnesota’s Trout Capital at Trailhead Park in Preston from 10am-2pm to check out the sounds and tastes of Preston! At Trailhead Park we will have tastes from local restaurants and organizations, Japanese Fish Painting with the National Trout Center, fishing of course and some great music! You can check out the historic Railroad display which includes a brand-new interpretive sign about life on the railroad. And if you’ve never been in the restored caboose that will be open for FREE tours! Head up the block to Fillmore Street for a full 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 Fall Garage Sales, a Tractor Pull and Demolition Derby at the Fairgrounds, and a parade of 100 tractors coming in and out of town who will be on the Bluff Country Tractor Ride. There is truly something for everyone!  

 

Get a taste of Fountain by visiting Karst Brewing, Village Square, Beaver Bottoms Saloon, and introducing our newest restaurant: AJ’s Diner.

 

On Saturday, September 21 meet us at the Rushford Historic Depot along the Root River Trail between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to begin savoring the flavors of the Rushford area. At the Historic Depot, you will find live music by TravAce Oppelt from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., pumpkin activities, free popcorn from the Rushford Lions Club, and the Rushford Fire & Ambulance Services’ Open House next door, which includes auto extrication demonstrations, a fly-in from MedLink AIR helicopter at 1 p.m.; kids activities, cookies and beverages, and more. You’ll also be given a “tasting map” to guide you through Rushford’s downtown to receive samples from many participating businesses and organizations. A fun stop for the whole family!

 

Join in on the second annual Houston Block Party that celebrates Taste of the Trail with a party downtown from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The alley behind JT's Bar & Grill will host the live music, games and prizes, a wine-tasting Chamber fundraiser, and food! This event is a lot of fun and family-friendly!

 

So, come savor the flavor and join us for these tempting days of thrilling culture, fabulous communities and amazing tastes and treasures. There will be a “taste” for everyone, the young and the young at heart, guys and gals, country or city dwellers.

 

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