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Stock up Downtown: 1 Farmers Market + 2 Grand Forks

June 19th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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Interested in doing some shopping but still want to enjoy the beautiful summer weather? Then you really need to check out the region’s top Outdoor Farmers Market! It takes place every Saturday through September, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in Town Square (corner of DeMers Avenue and 3rd Street). Vendors sell everything from fresh produce and flowers to home baked bread and pies to handmade jewelry and pottery. You’ll also be able to enjoy an array of tasty food truck fare and great live entertainment on the Square’s main stage. If you’d like to learn more about how our fabulous Forks were founded, guided Historical Walking Tours, hosted by the Greater Grand Forks Community Theatre, are held at 1 PM during every Farmers Market beginning in July.   While in the area, make sure to explore both of our beautiful downtowns (Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota) and discover all they have to offer. Below are some suggestions for a day or two of fun.   Downtown Adventures            Take a stroll through streets that lead to places where past and present meet.       Historic buildings house 21st century businesses. Attractive public art captures the spirit …

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Posted in: Arts & Culture, Entertainment, Events, Shopping, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
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Hear great songs under grand skies

June 8th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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Nothing beats listening to great live music, on a beautiful summer evening, under our simply grand skies.  If you agree, we’ve got some awesome news from you…the popular North Dakota Museum of Art Concerts in the Garden Series is back again this summer!   Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket, plus several of your friends.  All the fun takes place in the Museum’s sculpture garden, on the University of North Dakota campus, located at 261 Centennial Drive. Tickets are $10 at the door and free for those 12 and younger. There will also be food and beverages available for purchase, including local grass-fed hamburgers, vegetable skewers, nightly specials, root beer floats, beer and wine.   Dates, along with scheduled artists, are as follows:   July 5, 2017, at 6 PM: Christopher Paul Stelling, New York, NY There is a fearless quality to the music of Christopher Paul Stelling.  He’s been described as having a voice that sounds both old and young, an effortless yet intricate finger-picking guitar style and lyrics that are both dramatic and intensely confessional. Stelling released his newest album, “Itinerant Arias”, in May and unlike previous records, it finds Stelling backed by a band.   …

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Posted in: Arts & Culture, Entertainment, shows and concerts, Travel & Tourism, Uncategorized
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Take the Grand Tour

June 5th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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Whether you’re a lifelong resident, new-to-town or just visiting, our new Downtown Walking Tours will teach you all about our Simply Grand Forks! Listed below is information for this summer’s schedule. Best of all, every excursion has a special theme that makes each one unique.   June 10, 10:30 AM to 12: 30 PM, Town Square – ART OF DOWNTOWN GRAND FORKS                                                                                                                   Special feature: Public art located throughout downtown Grand Forks, including art-related events and projects inspired by local and regional artists.   June 24, 4 to 6 PM, Town Square – BEER & SALOONS OF GRAND FORKS  Special feature: Grand Forks has had a rich history involving beer, saloons and alcohol. This tour will include stops at local establishments that may require guess to be 21 years of age or older.   July 29, 3:30 to 5:30 PM, Town Square – GRAND RIVER CITY OF THE NORTH                                                                                                                                      Special feature: Our Red River of the North is the largest northern flowing river in the northern hemisphere. Grand Forks was founded, named and earned national attention because of our river; so, this tour is dedicated to the unique relationship our community has with our nearest body of water.   August 19, 1 …

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Summer breezes bring #SimplyGrand times

May 25th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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I know it doesn’t officially begin until June 21 but in Nortakota, any temp above 70 equals summer!  While there may be many, here are my top five seasonal outdoor to-dos:   GREAT BUYS UNDER GRAND SKIES.  Formerly known as Art Fest, Art on the Red 2017 will fill downtown Grand Forks and East Grand Forks with over 150 vendors selling everything from pottery and jewelry to kettle korn and fry bread tacos.  There’ll also be a beer garden and live music.  It all takes place June 10 & 11, 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM.   LISTENING SESSIONS.  If you’re a fellow music lover, definitely add the Happy Harry’s Blues on the Red Summer Music Series to your calendar.  It takes place the last Saturday of June, July and August in Town Square.  From 5 to 10 PM, hear some of our region’s top blues musicians while enjoying tasty eats and drinks served up by Brick & Barley.  Admission is free but the food and brews are extra.   NAVIGATING THE GREENWAY.  Strolling our beautifully groomed Greenway trail system is a perfect way to enjoy a sunny day. My favorite spot …

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Spend a SimplyGrand day in the Galleries

May 18th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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Founded in the mid-1970s, the North Dakota Museum of Art began as the University of North Dakota Art Galleries, a temporary exhibition space primarily for the benefit of university students.  Then in 1981, the North Dakota State Legislature designated the University Galleries as our state’s official art museum. With its expanded mission came a new name: the North Dakota Museum of Art (NDMOA).   NDMOA currently collects contemporary, international art in all media.  It is charged with both gathering and displaying the visual history of the region.  The museum is also assembling a survey collection of contemporary Native American art, starting with the early 1970s when the movement emerged.   If you’re a fan of all things far out and fabulous, you definitely need to pay a visit to NDMOA, especially to check out the Barton Lidice Benes permanent exhibit.  Ranging from a mounted giraffe and warthog to tribal masks and antiques, this eclectic collection will leave you awestruck.  Acclaimed artist Barton Benes gifted the contents of his New York apartment to the museum, which includes over $1 million in African, Egyptian and contemporary art. Through tremendous fundraising efforts, NDMOA raised the money to dismantle his apartment in New York …

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Ideas for a SimplyGrand Mother’s Day

May 11th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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Happy Mothers Day pink heart cupcake on white cupcake stand with greeting gift tag against a feminine pink background, with copy space for your text here.

Mom loved and raised you…time to raise the bar and show her just how much you appreciate and love her back! This Sunday, May 14, is Mother’s Day and the perfect chance to express your feelings. In case you forgot or haven’t figured out yet what to get her, here are just a half dozen suggestions:   One can never go wrong with dinner and a movie.  Take her to a special Mother’s Day Brunch at Hilton’s Garden Café, Ground Round, Eagle’s Crest Grill or Aroma Café at Ramada.  Follow that with a matinee of the popular new Amy Schumer-Goldie Hawn mother-daughter flick, “Snatched”, at River Cinema 15 or AMC Classic 10 Theater. A bouquet is ok but how about putting a new spin on it?  Escort mom to All Season’s Garden Center, tour her through the amazing greenhouse and then let her pick out a planter or two for her garden or patio. Is mom an 80s rocker babe, by chance?  A gift certificate from Darkside Tattoo plus tickets to the Poison concert, May 27, at Alerus Center, would be “nothin’ but a good time” for her. She put Pampers on you as a baby; so, pamper her with …

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pARTy up downtown

May 5th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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Mark your calendars now for the second Saturday and Sunday in June…which just happens to be the 10th and 11th this year. Why? That’s when the Town Square, Greenway and Cabela’s parking lot will be lined with great shopping, entertainment, food and plenty of fun during Art on the Red 2017! Formerly known as Grand Cities Art Fest, the Public Arts Commission (PAC) Art on the Red will feature over 120 quality artists and crafters from around the nation selling their wares. Examples of the different media include ceramics, drawing, glass, jewelry, metal, naturals and painting. Dozens of food vendors will be on hand to tantalize your taste buds with everything from caramel apples, funnel cakes and kettle korn to fry bread tacos, bison burgers and barbecue ribs. And don’t forget to check out NoVAC’s Arts in Action, Fine Arts Avenue, Kids’ Corner and the Main Stage.   NoVAC’s Arts in Action: Are you curious about how artists turn raw materials into amazing works of art? At Arts in Action, sculptors will perform live demonstrations of their art-making process in the Town Square.   Fine Arts Avenue: What happens when you take simple, inexpensive materials and add inspiration and talent? …

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Time to race around our towns

April 30th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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Time to strap on the sneaks (or inline skates) and take to the streets (or river)…several Greater Grand Forks outdoor athletic events are right around the corner! Whether a novice or old pro, we have the perfect race for you.   May 6: RED RIVER RUNNERS 1980s FUN RUN –> Join the Red River Runners at 8 AM, in Lincoln Drive Park, for a rad fun run! Dig out your best neon and get ready for a most excellent 5K with some of your fellow bodacious runners. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes and light refreshments served. redriverrunnersgf@gmail.com   May 6: DOWNTOWN DERBY RUN –> Beginning at 1 PM, in George Lee Park, this 1.25 mile Kentucky Derby distance race [individual or five-man relay team] is designed to celebrate spring. Participants are encouraged to dress up in Derby Style. greta@downtowngrandforks.org   May 13: OFFICERS DOWN 5K –> The Officers Down 5K event supports our fallen law enforcement with the hopes of creating bonds and establishing trust between law enforcement and their respecting community. The day will include food, live music and many more family activities! The race begins at the parking lot between Restaurant Row & The Fountain, on Demers Avenue, …

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Hamming it up in Forks

April 13th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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Looking to get your Easter dinner on in Greater Grand Forks?  If you don’t feel like going through all the hassle of cooking it yourself, we have several restaurants serving up a feast.  Luckily, they’ve got a spot reserved just for you…and it’s not even at the kids’ table!   Aaltos: 1000 S 42nd St (Canad Inn), Grand Forks, 701-792-1957; 10 AM to 2 PM ($24.99/brunch buffet); 4 to 8 PM ($24.99/dinner buffet)   Aroma Café: 1205 N 43rd St (Ramada), Grand Forks, 701-775-3951; 11 AM to 2 PM ($19.75/brunch buffet)   Blue Moose Bar & Grill: 507 2nd Ave S, East Grand Forks, 218-773-6516; 10 AM to 2:30 PM ($17/brunch buffet)   Boardwalk Bar & Grill: 415 2nd St NW, East Grand Forks, 218-399-3000; 10 AM to 2 PM ($17/brunch buffet)   Green Mill: 1930 S Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, 701-780-9000; 9 AM to 2 PM ($17.95/brunch buffet)   Ground Round: 2800 32nd Ave S, Grand Forks, 701-775-4646; 9 to 9 AM to 2 PM ($19.95/brunch buffet)   Hilton Garden Inn: 4301 James Ray Dr, Grand Forks, 701-775-6000; 11 AM to 2 PM ($18/brunch buffet)   Ruby Tuesday: 3915 32nd Ave S, Grand Forks, 701-772-1105; 9 AM to 2 …

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CVB can-dos for your convention or tournament

April 10th 2017 | Posted by julier | 0 Comments

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You know the saying: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Well, that definitely does NOT apply to all the amazing complimentary services the Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) provides to tournaments, conferences and conventions being held in our cities!   Skilled and professional CVB staff are ready to guide and assist organizers through the whole process of planning and executing a successful event. From finding the ideal venue and helping with bid preparation to securing room blocks and servicing your attendees while here…all our services are top-notch and FREE of charge.   Here’s just a partial listing of the simply grand things we can offer you: BID PREPARATION & PRESENTATION: Our sales staff will prepare and present formal bid proposals for conventions and sporting events. Staff will also coordinate and host site visits. HOSPITALITY PACKETS: We offer information for registration packets, including a hospitality bag, Greater Grand Forks Visitors Guide, Visitor Bargain Brochure and others. Water bottles, snacks or food and beverage vouchers may also be available upon request. [Value = $17/100 packets; $500 + snacks; $5-$7/concession voucher] REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE: Friendly, qualified CVB staff and/or volunteers can assist with convention registration. [Value …

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