Happenings around the Perham area, Aug. 4-14

The Perham Focus accepts community calendar items for publication online and in our Thursday print edition, space permitting. Submissions must be made at least a week in advance of the event date, in writing, to either editor@perhamfocus.com or vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com .

Each submission must include the date, time and location of event, whether it is recurring or a one-time happening, and where to go for more information (phone, email and/or website). Also include whether the event is free or paid admission, and how much it costs when applicable.

Movies at the Library: The New York Mills Public Library will host a free screening of "A Goofy Movie" at 1 p.m. Open to the public.

Cruise Night: Bring your favorite set of classic wheels to The Cactus in Perham and enjoy the kickoff to the city's annual Crazy Daze celebration, with burger and drink specials in the parking lot from 5 to 8 p.m. so you can enjoy looking at all the vehicles and visiting with other automobile enthusiasts.

Live Music: Perham's Big Pine Lodge will host live music from Jim White on the patio, starting at 6 p.m. Open to the public.

Breakfast on the Farm: Hosted by RDO Farms of Perham, the annual East Otter Tail County Breakfast on the Farm event will take place at RDO's Perham shop, 42670 450th St., from 7 a.m. to noon. A pancake, eggs and sausage breakfast will be served for a free will offering, and there will be educational booths, farm animals and machinery on display along with plenty of family fun. Visit eotbreakfastonthefarm.com for more information.

EOT Wranglers Open Fun Show: The East Otter Tail Wranglers 4-H Club will host an open, fun horse show starting at 9 a.m. at the EOT County Fairgrounds at 455 4th St. SE, Perham. A 2022 negative Coggins test is required for any horse brought to the show and no dogs are allowed. Registration for each event closes one event prior to the next event's start.

St. Lawrence Parish Festival: The congregation of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 46404 Co. Hwy. 14, Perham, will host its 35th annual outdoor polka mass and parish festival from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Cathy Erickson Band will provide the music for the 10:30 a.m. mass, followed by a picnic-style lunch, kids' games, bingo, silent auction, raffle, cake walk, ice cream and refreshments. All are welcome.

St. Paul's School Principal Installation: St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Perham will host an installation worship service and meet and greet for the new St. Paul's School Principal, Candice Bicondoa, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Sand Volleyball: The St. Henry's Sand Volleyball League plays games at 7 and 8 p.m. on the sand courts at Arvig Park.

NARFE Meeting: National Active and Retired Federal employees (NARFE) Chapter 1842 will meet in the Ice Cutter Room of the Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes. Lunch at noon, business meeting starts at 1 p.m. This month's speaker is Detroit Lakes Mayor Matt Brenk, who will talk about current and future plans for the city. All active and retired federal employees are invited to attend. Membership in the organization is encouraged but is not mandatory. For more info, contact chapter president Virginia Weston, via email at aldercy@arvig.net or by phone at 218-847-6483.

Looney Days Opening Night: Otter Coffee and Ice Cream in Vergas will host an evening of live music from 5 to 7 p.m. to kick off the community's annual Looney Days celebration. Open to the public.

Bob Riepe Book Signing: Author Bob Riepe will be signing copies of his latest book, "Absolution," 6 p.m. at the History Museum of East Otter Tail County, 230 1st Ave. North, Perham. Signed copies of Riepe's book will be available for purchase.

Vergas Looney Days: The Friday schedule for Vergas Looney Days includes local rummage sales throughout the day; sidewalk chalk art, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Natalie's Serendipity; pickleball demonstrations, 10-11 a.m. at the pickleball courts; brats and beans lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at United Methodist; Voices of the Past Cemetery Tour, 2-3 p.m. at City Cemetery; kids' fishing, 3:30-4:30 p.m.; food trucks, 4-9 p.m.; water ski show, 5 p.m.; Church of Cash live music, 6:30-9 p.m. All events take place at Loon Park unless otherwise specified.

Otterfest: The Ottertail Chamber of Commerce is hosting the community's annual Otterfest celebration, with a pancake breakfast, 8-11 a.m.; all-day vendor show; Nick the Strolling Magician, 9:30 a.m.-noon; inflatable games, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; classic car show, 10 a.m.; Otterfest Parade, 11 a.m.; Imaginick Magic Show, 12-1 p.m.; family games in the City Park, 1 p.m.; face painting, 12-2 p.m.; bingo, 1-3:30 p.m.; Chicken Poop Bingo, 2 p.m.; Otterwalk, 3:30 p.m.; pork and corn feed, 4:30 p.m., live music by the Red Letter Band, 4-7:30 p.m.; street dance at The Woodshed featuring the 57 Chevy Band, 9 p.m.-midnight; and fireworks at dusk.

Vergas Looney Days: The Saturday schedule for Vergas Looney Days includes a 5K run/walk, 8 a.m.; Lions Breakfast at the Event Center (dine in or drive through), 8-11 a.m.; pickleball demonstrations at the pickleball courts; street fair, Main Street, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. winer dog races, 9 a.m., baseball field; family games, 9:30-11:30 a.m., baseball field; inflatable games, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., baseball field; Vergas Fire and Rescue open house, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., fire hall; Trowbridge Petting Zoo, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Summers Construction; ice cream stroll, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Vergas Assisted Living; brats and beans lunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at United Methodist; beer garden, 12 p.m.-midnight, Railway Avenue; Road Rally, 12 p.m.; Little Miss and Mister Vergas Pageant, 12 p.m.; Loon Calling Contest, 1 p.m.; Puppy Plunge, 3:30 p.m.; Bean Bag tournament, 3 p.m. (registration starts 2 p.m.), Railway Avenue; water ski show, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; and street dance featuring music from Mall Rats, 8 p.m.-midnight, Railway Avenue. All events take place at Loon Park unless otherwise specified.

Vergas Looney Days: The final day of Vergas Looney Days includes a classic car show on Main Street, 9 a.m.-noon; Yoga Among the Blooms, True Blue Flower Company, 9:30 a.m.; community church service, baseball field, 10 a.m.; Looney Days Grand Parade through Vergas, 2 p.m.; and water fights following the parade on Main Street. There will also be TIP Bingo at Billy's Bar following the parade, with a raffle drawing at 8 p.m.; and live music at Skal, 4-10 p.m., featuring Damien Anderson, Seth Moore, and Shelly and Dave.

Crazy Daze: Perham-area businesses will be offering some of their best sales and special deals of the year at the community's annual Crazy Daze celebration, Aug. 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Plus inflatable games and face painting for the kids, sidewalk sales, axe throwing, food and drink specials, and so much more.

Perham Health 120-Year Celebration: The 120th anniversary of Perham Health will be celebrated on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 11-12 at the East Otter Tail County Fairgrounds in Perham. Thursday events include bounce houses, Clueless the Balloon Twister, kid-friendly DJ music and kids' tattooes, touchable emergency vehicle displays, food and beer gardens all opening at 4:30 p.m. and a performance by comedy magician Jeffrey Salveson at 7 p.m. Friday's festivities include live music, 5-10 p.m., along with concessions and a beer garden.

Kalevala Puppet Workshops: A series of workshops are planned for participants in this year's Kalevala Puppet Pageant in New York Mills. Daily morning workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 8-12 and again on Aug. 15-18 at the Barn/Sculpture Park in New York Mills. Puppets and props will be transported to the VFW in New York MIlls starting at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 17; parent and volunteer assistance needed. Evening rehearsals are planned from 6 to 8 p.m. on both Aug. 17-18, with the final call for performers starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19 and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at the VFW and noon on Aug. 20 at Finn Creek. Additional workshops for puppet and props building are set for Aug. 8-10, 15 and 16, starting at 6 p.m., while stilters-only workshops are set for Aug. 9, 11, 16 and 18, starting at 1 p.m. Cost to participate is $50 per child, with a $100 per family maximum. Adults and teens are invited to participate free of charge. Visit kulcher.org or call 218-385-3339 for more information, or to sign up.

International Turtle Races: Perham offers turtle racing every Wednesday, June through August, at Turtle Race Park (next to the Perham Chamber of Commerce), starting at 10:30 a.m. (registration starts at 10 a.m.). Turtles are provided, or bring your own. Suggested donations of $2 per racer help care for the turtles over the summer months. All ages welcome to participate.

Mah Jongg at Calvary Lutheran: Men and women are welcome and play Mah Jongg at Perham's Calvary Lutheran Church on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in the library. No prior experience necessary, as experienced players will teach the game to newcomers.

Sit-n-Stitch: A weekly gathering of fiber artists will be held every Thursday from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Cultural Center in New York Mills. Free and open to all.

Progressive Bingo: Every Tuesday, 6-7 p.m., Thumper Pond, Ottertail.

Glendalough Scavenger Hunt: Beginning June 1, visitors to Glendalough State Park can add some extra fun to their summer experiences with an educational scavenger hunt launched by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota. This scavenger hunt is tailored to Glendalough, highlighting 19 different types of birds, mammals, wildflowers, trees and recreational activities that can be found there. The hunts are designed for all ages, but with a special attention to parents of young children. Visit Parks & Trails Council's website at parksandtrails.org to access the hunt or look for a flyer in the park for more details the next time you visit.

Summer Museum Activities: STEAM into Summer with NASA–approved activities at the Otter Tail County Museum in Fergus Falls, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The museum received an Earth and Space grant from the National Informal Science Education Network, which enables them to offer STEAM and STEM activities in both English and Spanish versions. The grant provides hands-on activities and games for the whole family, covering topics such as Asteroid Mining, Nebula Spin Art, Orbiting Objects and Space Guess Quest. All activities are free. The Otter Tail County Museum is located at 1110 Lincoln Ave. West in Fergus Falls. For more information call 218-736-6038 or email mhermes@otchs.org .

Perham Networking Opportunity: The Nest in Perham will host a one-hour free business networking opportunity on the first Wednesday of every month, starting at 8:15 a.m. Personal introductions, sharing of upcoming events and projects, and a focus presentation. Coffee will be provided by the focus topic presenter.

Tuesday Trivia Night: Billy's Corner Bar & Grill in Vergas will be offering Trivia Night every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Open to the public.

Library Storytimes: The Perham Area Public Library hosts preschool storytime every Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. Toddler Storytime with Becky is held periodically on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. Visit perhamlibrary.org or call 218-346-4892 for more information.

Old Time Photographs: Stop by the History Museum of East Otter Tail County, at 230 First Ave. North in Perham, and take a trip down memory lane. The museum would like the public's help identifying old photos. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 218-346-7676 for more information.