Walker

A true lakeside community, Walker's main street is merely a stone's throw from shoreline of Leech Lake. Pull your boat up to City Dock and disembark for lakeside dining, or stroll up the block for a gourmet cup of coffee while you browse through quaint shops.

Home to many of the best restaurants in the area, Walker offers a variety of cafes and restaurants to suit your appetite, ranging from quaint lunches at an English tea house to gourmet dinners at fine restaurants such as the Boulder's Restaurant, famous for its fantastic Martini bar (written up twice by Minnesota Monthly Magazine as the place to dine in the lake country).

Truly a four-season community, activities are abundant year round. Besides the great fishing and biking in the summer, the town is bustling with festivals and celebrations. Moondance Country Jammin' Fest kicks off the season in June with the biggest and best bands in the industry gathering in the northland for a concert weekend that rivals WE Fest.

Fourth of July starts with great shopping and a hometown parade that ends with games and bands in the lakeside City Park. When night falls, the twinkling lights of hundreds of boats floating on Leech Lake in front of City Park are almost as fun to watch as the fireworks. Don't be fooled into thinking that because this is a small town that the fireworks will be the same - the Walker Lions Club puts on one of the best displays in the north country!

One of the most famous concert events in the state (with gaining national popularity every year) is the Moondance Jam. Celebrating its 17th year in 2008, the Jam brings the best bands of the '70's and '80's together along with local and regional bands for four days of music and amusement.

For those who prefer a little more wholesome activity, the Yikes Bikes Tour offers great music, great food, and a great bike ride for a great cause! What better way to spend a Saturday in late July than biking on back roads and state trails while stopping at the aid stations manned by local groups offering a variety of treats and music for energy and distraction. You get a t-shirt, food, entertainment, and camaraderie while raising money to help someone in need build a new home.

Walker Bay Days offers fun for the whole family with games, music, a 5 K run and activities by the lake in August, including a lighted boat parade. August is also host to Cajun Fest, offering more great music and great food, but if you prefer a little quiet activity, the Leech Lake Regatta is sure to please. The lake is at its most colorful in late August when dozens of sailboats compete for division titles, making for an undeniably breathtaking sight as the sails fill with air and pull the boats across Walker Bay.

Fall is host to the famous Ethnic Fest. Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of cultures from around the world, all right here at home. Music, food, parades, and demonstrations of cultural traditions are as enchanting as they are educational for people of all ages. This fest has been a regional favorite for over 15 years, and each year brings more fun and surprises.

The third Saturday of every September kicks off the Walker North Country Marathon, 2 Person Marathon Relay, ½ Marathon and 10K Run/Walk. One of the original marathons in the state, this race takes runners through the Chippewa National Forest. Always billed as one of the most beautiful runs in the Midwest, very little of this race is run on paved roads because we believe fall colors are best seen from country roads and forest trails. Waiting friends and family of the runners can enjoy the Northwoods Quilters Quilt Show, the downtown restaurants, and the shops until they return to the high school track for the big finish to the race.

Fall Has It All offers a less vigorous means of seeing autumn at its best. Walker, Longville, and Hackensack participate in this event that spans 2 weeks and 3 weekends and includes everything from wine and cheese events to a chainsaw sculpting competition. There is no better place to enjoy the splendor of fall and this event showcases the best of the season.

Things don't slow down just because the temperatures fall and the snow starts to accumulate. The annual Festival of Lights feels like the official start to winter for those of us who make our homes in the north country. Santa Claus makes his first appearance of the year at the Village Square Café this day, and kids young and old walk away with a smile on their faces after sitting on the knee of Santa and getting treats from Mrs. Claus. No matter what the temperatures, it seems the whole town turns out to watch the Parade of Lights and follow the last float to the park for bonfires, hot cocoa, and music.

The merchants in town come together in December to make a festive atmosphere for shopping for the entire month. Santa appears often, and two huge draft horses pulling a hay wagon and offering free rides are another common sight leading up to Christmas. The Catholic Church hosts a cookie-walk, and many clubs and organizations sponsor bake sales of homemade Christmas goodies and treats.

And after the last Christmas cookie has been eaten, and the decorations start to disappear, the Eel Pout Fest swings into full gear on Leech Lake in February. This is Spring Break northern Minnesota style! The Eel Pout Fishing Contest is just another excuse to put your craziest ice house compound out on the lake and meet your neighbors on the ice. More food, more fishing, and more fun is what this event is about. And who has ever heard of Spring Break without a little dip in the water? The Polar Plunge is not for the faint of heart, but every year hundreds of brave souls jump into Leech Lake to prove their vigor (and raise money for the Walker Area Community Center). Perhaps a few are just cooling down after the 5K Eel Pout Peel Out. There's no fishing party (oops, contest) in the state that compares to this one!

Before we know it, May has arrived and so has the most anticipated weekend of the year - opening fishing weekend! Leech Lake is regaining its foothold as one of the best lakes for fishing in the state, and the surrounding lakes offer fantastic fishing as well.