Two local attractions gained recognition as being the best in the state by the Star Tribune in Minneapolis May 11 and 14.
The newspaper’s “Best of Minnesota” publication highlighted the Koochiching County Fair in Northome as the state’s No. 1 county fair and Voyageurs National Park as the top water-based getaway.
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” said VNP Superintendent Mike Ward of the recognition.
Mary Lukenbill, Koochiching County fair director, said the recognition brought on a “sense of pride” for those behind the scenes of the 106-year-old event.
The Star Tribune described the “Best of Minnesota” publication as a collaboration of the newspaper’s more than 250 journalists who “pride themselves on being experts of all things Minnesota.”
“This year, we decided to tap all that expertise and share with you our insider’s knowledge on where to find the best that the state of Minnesota has to offer,” the paper said.
Ward hopes the recognition will help those who are unfamiliar with VNP to distinguish the difference between the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
“A lot of folks still don’t separate us from the Boundary Waters,” Ward explained. “Anything that helps Minnesotans understand is a plus. We certainly hope this will boost tourism for the park.”
Ward said there are even locals who haven’t experienced VNP and all it has to offer.
“We took the high school kids out recently, half went o Rainy Lake and the other half on the Namakan (Lake) side,” he said. “A lot of them have never been on either lake.”
In addition, the park superintendent expressed his excitement about the recognition and hopes it helps people see that the park “is really a great place to visit.”
Lukenbill said she and her husband, Don, who serve’s as the Koochiching County Fair president, believe the fair stood about above the state’s other 94 fairs because of its “uniqueness.”
“A carnival was no longer a viable option for the fair expense, so we embarked on seeking homegrown activities,” she said.
The Star Tribune complimented the fair for “conquering scarce resources with creativity.” It mentioned the event’s lawnmower races and kiddy train, made out of halved barrels.
In addition, Lukenbill noted that the fair has the “finest fireworks exhibition in the state.”
Mention of the recognition will be included during the fair’s grandstand show Aug. 11. The fair is scheduled for Aug. 10-12.
For those who have never attended the fair, Lukenbill said, “People can expect a new experience visiting the Koochiching County Fair ... people who come to the fair for the first time leave knowing they have experienced something far different from any other fair they have attended. Receiving this special recognition enforces our idea that big things can happen in small places.”
