ONLY RECENTLY HAVE I begun to explore the central Minnesota lakes region and small towns therein. Thanks to the generosity of a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, who are sharing their guest lake cabin with extended family, going Up North to the cabin is now a reality rather than a life-long dream. I feel incredibly blessed and grateful to experience what, for many Minnesotans, is a multi-generational part of their summers.
On our last trip North, Randy and I attended Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes. We’ve previously explored that small town by popping into shops, including the unique Thurlow Hardware. Pequot landmarks itself with a bobber-shaped water tower. That would be the bobber from Paul Bunyan’s fishing pole.
This is Paul Bunyan land. The place of lumberjack lore. So different from my home in southeastern Minnesota. Paul and his side kick, Babe the Blue Ox, are universally appealing, creating a strong tourism branding identity for this region.
The Paul Bunyan Trail from Brainerd to Bemidji runs through the heart of Pequot Lakes in Trailside Park.
And the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, a 54-mile route along county roads in scenic northern Crow Wing County and a portion of Cass County, also passes through Pequot Lakes.
To visit this region is to appreciate and embrace the stories and character of Northwoods strong Paul Bunyan. And his sweetheart Lucette Diana Kensack (seen in Hackensack, a bit farther to the north).
I appreciate how hard the good folks of this area work to brand this region and to create events that entertain and also provide visitors with unique experiences. Bean Hole Days, for example, rates as unlike anything I’ve ever attended. I loved everything about it from the people to the phenomenal homemade beans baked underground in Paul Bunyan-sized kettles.
In about 10 more days, on Saturday, August 7, Pequot Lakes hosts another celebration—a Chokecherry Festival. Chokecherries are a tiny stone fruit often used in making jellies and jams. Pequot Lakes calls itself the Chokecherry Capital of Minnesota. I’m quite familiar with these berries, having picked more pails full than I care to remember while growing up on a southwestern Minnesota farm.
That aside, it doesn’t appear the Pequot Lakes celebration includes any chokecherry harvesting. But it does feature a Pit Spitting Contest and a Chokecherry Culinary Contest with four categories. Jams/jellies/preserves, pastries, wine and originality.
And just like at Bean Hole Days, the 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. event in Trailside Park includes an Arts-Crafts Fair, food vendors, kids’ activities and more.
I encourage you to take in small town celebrations like those offered in Pequot Lakes and neighboring communities in Paul Bunyan land. To do so is to experience the Northwoods culture, at least the side that draws tourists to town.
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This marks the third, and final, in a series of posts on Pequot Lakes.
© Copyright 2021 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
how fun!
Yes, Paul Bunyan makes for a fun theme in this area of Minnesota.
this made me smile Your Uncle Al would pick pails and pails of choke cherries and i would make jelly ten cups of sugar to one cup chokecherry juice good times i wonder if they have such things in heaven
Ten cups of sugar to one cup of juice? Wow. That’s a lot of sugar. Uncle Al must have liked his chokecherry juice. My mom made jelly.
It will be interesting to see what we discover in heaven. I know you’re missing your son and mom and others who have gone before you. So glad we have the hope and promise of heaven and seeing our loved ones again. Blessings to you, Cheryl.
Sounds like a great event. I’ve told my friend about it…the one who has a cabin up near Crosslake.
Gary and I are going to Pequot Lakes mid-August to ride with friends on the Paul Bunyan Trail.
I look forward to hearing about your bike ride along the Paul Bunyan Trail.
I’m glad you get to experiance the “up north” phenomenon. Small town fun far from your roots. Rick and I both grew up going to “the cabin” our family had friends that we stayed with Near Motley, and Ricks family stayed in the very resort in which we now own… the “Big Cabin”. This looks like a fun event, thanks for sharing.
You gave us a taste of the Up North cabin experience initially. Thank you for that gift.
Oh boy — I want a shish ka bobber!!!! Yum!
Randy shared his with me. I’m not big on brats, but this was tasty. A good appetizer before we got those baked beans.