The 36th annual Ole and Lena Days in Granite Falls will kick off with outdoor sports at the Upper Sioux Agency State Park on Saturday.
"The first day is typically an outdoor day at the park," said Tim Knapper, director of community education at Yellow Medicine East. "It's a family day. There's a huge hill for sledding, cross-country skiing, snow shoes, and sleigh rides or wagon rides depending on the amount of snow. That night there is the annual Chamber of Commerce Mid-Winter Celebration."
There will be an Ole and Lena medallion hunt beginning Monday; all medallions are hidden within the city limits of Granite Falls and are worth $100.
On Thursday, Prairie's Edge Casino will host a Scandinavian feast with traditional Scandinavian food.
Ole and Lena Days traditionally runs from the last Saturday in January to the first Saturday in February. Though some traditional events like the lefse toss and smoosh races have fallen out of fashion, a lot of events and activities have stood the test of time, Knapper said.
"It's changed over the last six or seven years," Knapper said. "Part of it is generational, there's so many things going on. And we've become more diverse."
No events are scheduled for Sunday, because of the competition for people's attention.
"Our date has never changed," Knapper said. "Interest began to wane when the Super Bowl moved to the first Sunday in February."
And of course, it wouldn't be Ole and Lena Days without Ole and Lena jokes. People can submit their favorites to KDMA Radio, which will tell them on the air all week.
Schedule
Saturday
All day Upper Sioux Agency State Park - sliding, cross country skiing (bring your own skis) and snowshoeing.
1-4 p.m. The Prairie Trunks at the Upper Sioux Agency visitor center. This will include hands-on stations such as animal tracks, animal skulls and pelts, and storytelling with bird and animal puppets.
1-3 p.m. Free sleigh rides leaving from the visitor center in the Upper Sioux Agency State Park.
6 p.m. Granite Falls Chamber Annual Mid-Winter Celebration - Bootlegger's Supper Club. Home Free Vocal Band will entertain at 8 p.m.
Monday
Medallion hunt begins - each of the Ole and Lena medallions are worth $100. The medallions will be hidden within the city limits. Clues will be available at 8 a.m. daily at the Chamber Office, the KCC and the Community Ed. Office.
Ole and Lena jokes all week on KDMA Radio.
Thursday
4-9 p.m. Scandinavian feast at Meadows Buffet Prairie's Edge Casino.
Friday, Feb. 3
7 p.m. Granite Falls Arts Council annual show at the YME High School Auditorium featuring hometown talent and Monroe Crossing.
7 p.m. Ole and Lena beer tasting seminar -Bootleggers.
Saturday, Feb. 4
8-noon Craft sale Minnesota West Community and Technical College
8-11a.m. Granite Falls Kiwanis pancake breakfast - Minnesota West Community and Technical College
8 a.m.-noon Sons of Norway to host Norwegian crafts and ethnic foods - Minnesota West Technical College
10 a.m. Elementary open wrestling tournament high school gym. Weigh-ins start at 9 a.m.; matches will start at 10 a.m. Entry fee $10 per wrestler.
1 p.m. Lions Buck Euchre tournament at Bootleggers, $10 per team.
9 p.m.-1 a.m. Firemen's dance at Bootleggers.