Construction officially began this spring in Baxter on the "Outdoor Adventure" campus of which highly anticipated community project designed for local families and young explorers?

Memorial Day Weekend Starts Saturday

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer in Minnesota — and there's no better place to spend it than right here.

Whether you're staying local or welcoming family from out of town, the Brainerd Lakes Area has everything you need for a long weekend worth remembering. Here's how to make the most of it.

Start at the lake. You don't need an excuse to put the kayak in or cast a line, but three days off is a pretty good one. The walleye season is open, the lakes are warming up, and the docks are out. This is what the area was built for.

Hit the Paul Bunyan Trail. The 112-mile trail connects Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, and Hackensack through some of the most scenic stretches of central Minnesota. Spring is one of the best times to ride it — the wildflowers are out, the leaves are new, and you'll share the trail with far fewer people than you will in July.

Take a drive through the small towns. Nisswa, Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Hackensack — each one has its own character, and all of them have something going on Memorial Day weekend. Ice cream, gift shops, waterfront dining. The kind of afternoon that reminds you why you live here.

Welcome guests with a local experience. If family is coming from the Cities or beyond, consider skipping the chain restaurant and taking them somewhere they can only get in the lakes area. A fish fry on the water. A bait shop breakfast. A dock at sunset. These are the memories that outlast the long weekend.

Attend the ceremony. On Monday morning, Brainerd holds its traditional Memorial Day observances — the wreath at the Mississippi River, the All-Veterans Memorial ceremony, the parade, and the gathering at Evergreen Cemetery. The whole morning wraps up by noon and it's one of the most meaningful ways to start the day. Details were included in last week's edition.

Take it slow. Memorial Day weekend in the lakes area isn't something you have to fill up — it has its own rhythm. Some of the best moments happen when you step back, turn off your phone, and just let it unfold.

A few months ago, we published one of our favorite local stories — and this feels like a good week to bring it back.

Billy Lowe, a Marine veteran and Brainerd-area community leader, launched the Semper Try podcast to preserve the stories of veterans, volunteers, coaches, and everyday people who keep showing up for others.

The phrase itself says a lot: Semper Try — always trying, never quitting.

Lowe's story is about more than a podcast. It's about resilience. After nearly 20 years working a Budweiser route in the Brainerd Lakes Area, he shifted into a new role with CTC and kept building the kind of life rooted in service. He's been involved with the Jaycees, helped launch the Lil' Rubber Duckie Race fundraiser, serves with American Legion Post 255, and continues investing in the community through youth programs and veteran support.

What makes the podcast stand out is how real it feels. It's not polished for the sake of being polished. It's conversational, honest, and built around the people whose stories often don't make the headlines — but absolutely shape this area.

This Memorial Day week, it feels especially fitting to spotlight someone making sure those stories aren't lost. His full story is worth the read.

Read the full Semper Try story here →

Memorial Day is Monday. And while the ceremonies, the parade, and the quiet moment at the river are all part of how we mark it — the most powerful part of Memorial Day has always been personal.

It's the grandpa who doesn't talk much about it but gets quiet when the flag goes by. The aunt who served two tours and came home to build a business right here in the lakes area. The neighbor who joined up right out of high school and never stopped serving their community, even after the uniform came off.

We want to hear about them.

For an upcoming edition of Lakes Area Buzz, we're putting together a Veterans of the Lakes Area feature — and we need your help finding them. We're looking for veterans who live or grew up in the Brainerd Lakes Area, stories of service, sacrifice, and community, people who came home and built something here, and families who've had multiple generations serve.

You don't have to write anything formal. Just reply to this email and tell us who you want us to know about — their name, how they served, and what makes their story worth sharing. We'll do the rest.

Some of the most powerful stories in any community are the ones that never get told because nobody asked. We're asking.

Reply to this email with your veteran's story. We'd love to feature them in a future edition.

Wednesday: Brighter and drier. High near 62°F, low around 32°F.

Thursday: Partly cloudy and pleasant. High near 64°F, low around 41°F.

Friday: A little unsettled with a chance of light rain. High near 63°F, low around 41°F.

Saturday: Cooler with a better chance of rain. High near 60°F, low around 47°F.

Sunday: Milder and mostly dry. High near 75°F, low around 49°F.

Memorial Day (Monday): Warm and nice. High near 79°F, low around 57°F.

Next Tuesday: Warm again, with just a slight chance of a shower. High near 75°F, low around 61°F.

Overall: Cool midweek, a couple rain chances Friday and Saturday, then a really nice warm-up for the holiday and early next week.

Wed, May 20 — Bird Hikes at the Arboretum — Northland Arboretum. Check with venue for morning start times. Join local enthusiasts for a guided morning hike through diverse habitats to spot and identify migratory birds returning to the area.

Wed, May 20 — Wide Open Wednesdays — Brainerd International Raceway. Afternoon and evening sessions. Experience the thrill of the track as the gates open for street-legal drag racing and performance testing in a high-energy atmosphere.

Wed, May 20 | 5:00 PM — Pints for a Purpose — Jack Pine Brewery. Enjoy a community-focused evening where a portion of every pint sold supports We ARE The Clinic and local healthcare initiatives.

Fri, May 22 | 7:00 PM — Fabulous Armadillos: What's Going On? — Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts. Immerse yourself in a powerful musical journey through the Vietnam War era with performances of iconic songs from that transformative decade.

Fri, May 22 | 6:00 PM — Seth Doud Live — B*Merri Gastropub. Relax with comfort food and a live performance by local favorite Seth Doud as he brings his soulful rock sound to the stage.

Sat, May 23 | 8:00 AM–4:00 PM — Crosslake's Original Craft & Flea Market — Crosslake Town Square. Spend your Saturday treasure hunting through handmade crafts and unique vintage finds at this classic outdoor community market.

Tue, May 26 | 4:30 PM–6:00 PM — Business After Hours: Lakes Area R&R — Lakes Area R&R. Wrap up your Tuesday by networking with local professionals and neighbors at this popular social gathering focused on community growth and connection.

Memorial Day weekend is the moment the lakes area has been building toward since February.

The ice is off the lakes. The fishing season is open. The trail is ready. The patios are set.

This is why people come from hours away to spend a weekend here — and why those of us who live here already know how lucky we are.

Have a wonderful long weekend. Take it slow. Be grateful.

And we'll see you back here next Tuesday. 🐝

The WonderTrek Children’s Museum.