🏃‍♂️ 31 Years and Still Running Strong! 🏃‍♀️

What a beautiful day for the 31st Annual Dick Beardsley Races in Detroit Lakes! Runners took on 13.1 miles around the lake - with a little extra neighborhood mileage thrown in to make it an official half marathon. From the shoreline to the neighborhoods and everything in between, it’s hard to imagine a more scenic place for a race. I captured portions of the race from several different vantage points around the lake, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the runners, the course, and the beautiful September scenery that makes this event so special. After 31 years, the Dick Beardsley just keeps growing - bringing runners, families, volunteers, and spectators together for another great day in Detroit Lakes. 🎥 Turn up the volume, enjoy the view, and congratulations to everyone who crossed that finish line!

Last Cruise DL Night of the 2026 Season

With a perfect 75 degrees and sunshine, Detroit Lakes couldn’t have asked for a better evening for the final Cruise DL Night of the year. Another record number of entries filled the streets and City Park, making this one of the biggest Cruise DL events yet. Organized on the 2nd Wednesday of every month throughout the summer by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce (‪@detroitlakeschamber‬) But Cruise DL has never been just about the cars. Every car has a story. Where has it been? Who owns it now? What memories were made in it? How many hours went into bringing it back to life? And, of course, the question everyone eventually asks… “Is it for sale?” That’s what makes Cruise DL so special. It’s the cars, the people who love them, and the stories that get passed from one generation to the next. Enjoy one final cruise through Detroit Lakes as we say goodbye to another incredible season. Until next year, Cruise DL… take good care of my baby.

Two Months Later - The Floyd Lake Tornado aftermath

Today, most of the debris has been removed, but the scars are still impossible to miss. Some of the hardest-hit properties have been scraped completely clean. Blank concrete pads now mark the places where homes and other structures once stood. And perhaps most noticeable from the air are the trees that survived — stripped, broken and scarred, their gnarled limbs still showing the incredible force of what came through here. Nature has a remarkable way of healing itself. Grass will grow, trees will fill in, and over time the landscape will begin to look familiar again. But two months later, I was surprised to see how many homes still appear to be waiting for repairs to really begin. It’s a reminder that cleaning up after a disaster is one thing — rebuilding lives, homes and a neighborhood takes much longer. For those who live here, this wasn’t simply a storm that passed through. The recovery continues long after the headlines and cleanup crews have moved on. Here’s a look at Oakland Beach and Floyd Lake two months later.

🎉 50 Years — and What a Way to Celebrate! 🎶🌅

The Holiday Inn Detroit Lakes 50th Anniversary Party was an absolutely spectacular evening! Those who stayed until sunset were treated to an incredible show - a beautiful Detroit Lakes sunset over the water, great company, and an unforgettable night. 🌅 🎸 The Front Fenders kept the party going with favorite after favorite, especially those oldie goldies from the ’70s that had everyone singing along and reminiscing. Great music. Beautiful weather. An amazing sunset. And 50 years of memories worth celebrating. ❤️ If you weren't there, take a look at what you missed - and you definitely won't want to miss the next one! Happy 50th Anniversary, Holiday Inn Detroit Lakes! 🥂🎉

🚧 THEY MADE IT! West Lake Drive is Ready for Labor Day Weekend!

What a difference a week can make! A huge amount of work has been completed along West Lake Drive in Detroit Lakes this week, bringing this phase of the project across the finish line just in time for the Labor Day Weekend. Today, crews are putting one of the final pieces in place - pouring the concrete apron in front of the boat ramp - before opening the road for the busy holiday weekend. 🚤 If you’ve been following my videos throughout the summer, you’ve seen this stretch go from torn-up roadway and heavy equipment to new pavement, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and a completely refreshed lakeside corridor. It’s been quite the transformation! But they’re not done yet… 🚧 Next week, after the holiday weekend, the next phase begins, connecting the completed sections and continuing the transformation of West Lake Drive. For now, enjoy the new roadway, enjoy the lake, and have a safe and wonderful Labor Day Weekend in Detroit Lakes! ☀️🌊

🎶 “Standing Room Only” - A Special Moment at Rock the Ort 🌅

Some songs just seem to fit the moment perfectly. At Rock the Ort at Ortenstone Gardens in Detroit Lakes, Patrick Murphy’s “Standing Room Only” provided the soundtrack for a truly beautiful evening. As the music played, the scenery seemed to become part of the performance - the incredible sculptures and flowers throughout Ortenstone Gardens, the view of lake in the distance, and a Minnesota sunset reflecting across the water. 🌸🎨🌅 But perhaps the most touching moment came near the end, as the audience raised their cell phones and hundreds of little lights began glowing together to the music. ✨ For a few minutes, it wasn’t just a concert. It was one of those experiences where the music, people and surroundings all came together to create a memory. This video is my attempt to capture just a little bit of that feeling.

A train crossing a Golf Course

This week, I was asked by new owner Brian Gullickson to capture the the North 9 Bar & Grille from the air - and what a scenic setting it is in! Brian has been putting a tremendous amount of work into restoring and improving the club, bringing new life to this beautiful property and taking it to a whole new level. But there’s one feature that truly sets this property apart - the nearly mile-long railroad trestle stretching across the landscape and creating an incredible backdrop. You simply don’t see a setting like this at your everyday round of golf! In this drone video, we get an up-close look at the massive trestle - and I was fortunate enough to capture a train making its way across it while I was in the air. 🚂 Between the rolling greens, the Sheyenne River, the beautiful scenery, and that unmistakable railroad trestle, the North 9 Bar & Grille - Valley City Town and Country Club is definitely worth seeing from a whole new perspective.

💍 A Perfect Day for a Lakeside Wedding 💍

I recently had the opportunity to capture a friend’s wedding at the Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes, and it was hard to imagine a more beautiful setting.

Their lakeside lawn made the perfect backdrop for an outdoor ceremony, surrounded by family, friends, sunshine, and the water just beyond them.

But after the traditional ceremony came something especially memorable. The wedding party stepped aboard a pontoon and headed out across Detroit Lake for a little private getaway — a chance to celebrate, laugh, relax, and simply enjoy the moment together. ❤️

There’s something pretty special about a wedding where the aisle leads to the lake and the reception includes a pontoon ride!

🐄🎉 Cormorant Daze 2026 — Meet Mayor Bobby! 🎉🐄

Only in Minnesota can you go to a community festival and come home with a cow for mayor! 😂 Cormorant Daze was in full swing yesterday, and one of the biggest moments was the election of the town’s newest honorary mayor. After years of canine leadership, the voters decided it was time for a change — and Bobby the cow got the job! 🐄 The announcement brought plenty of smiles and cheers from the crowd! And that was just one part of an incredible day. 🎶 Enjoy the sounds of the Island Time Band as we take a quick flight over all the action — dozens of vendors, Kiddie Land, the Pedal Tractor Pull, an amazing Auto Show, great food, and people everywhere enjoying a beautiful Minnesota summer day. There was so much more to see, taste, hear, and experience than I could possibly squeeze into this short drone video. If you missed Cormorant Daze this year, put it on your calendar for next year. Some things you just have to experience for yourself! And congratulations to Mayor Bobby — I'm guessing the town council meetings are about to get a little more interesting. 🐄😂

Pup-A-Palooza was a HUGE success in Fargo!

Sure, there were winners…but the REAL entertainment came from the dogs who apparently never got the memo that this was a race. Some took off like rockets. 🚀 Some stopped halfway to visit with the crowd. Some got distracted by another dog. And a few seemed perfectly content to just stand there wondering why everyone was yelling their name. 🤣 Sometimes crossing the finish line is highly overrated! And then there were the contests. Cutest Dog, Best Tricks, and yes… BUBBLE BUTT! 🍑🐶 Because apparently even in the dog world, sometimes it’s all about the booty! Between the Corgis, Wiener Dogs, unpredictable racing strategies, and plenty of canine personality, there were laughs everywhere you looked. Best of all, it was for a wonderful cause—supporting 4 Luv of Dog Rescue and the work they do helping dogs find their forever homes. ❤️🐾 Congratulations to everyone who put together another fantastic Pup-A-Palooza. We’re already looking forward to seeing which dogs actually make it across the finish line next year! 😂🏁

🎪 Vergas Looney Days Street Fair 2026! 🎪

The Looney Days Street Fair just keeps getting bigger! This year, vendors filled both streets in downtown Vergas, creating an incredible variety of things to see, taste, hear, and experience. From food and clothing to specialty vendors, live music, handmade art, crafts, and plenty of unique finds, there was truly something to interest just about everyone. It’s amazing to see the streets of this small Minnesota community completely transformed and filled with people enjoying everything Looney Days has to offer. Take a flight with me over the 2026 Vergas Looney Days Street Fair and get a bird’s-eye view of just how much was happening!

2026 Wiener Races

🐶🏁 Ready… Set… Release the Wieners! 🏁🐶 The 2026 Vergas Looney Days Wiener Dog Races brought out more than 2,000 spectators for one of the most entertaining traditions of the summer! Sure, there are winners…but let’s be honest—the best part isn’t always watching the dog that crosses the finish line first. 😂 It’s the ones who take off in the wrong direction, stop halfway to visit another dog, wander over to greet the crowd, or simply decide that racing was never really part of their plan. Some came to race. Some came to socialize. And a few apparently had absolutely no idea why everyone was yelling their name! 😂🐾 That’s what makes the Wiener Dog Races so much fun. You never quite know what’s going to happen once those little legs start moving! Another great Looney Days tradition in Vergas, Minnesota!

National Anthem

The National Anthem at Vergas Looney Days! Before the wieners took to the track, the Land O’ Lakes Harmony Men’s Chorus helped kick off the 2026 Vergas Looney Days Wiener Dog Races with a beautiful performance of our National Anthem. With more than 2,000 people in attendance—and seemingly nearly as many dogs! 🐶— the streets of Vergas were packed for one of the most entertaining and uniquely Minnesota traditions of the summer. There was plenty of laughter and excitement waiting at the starting line, but for a few minutes, the crowd came together for a wonderful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A great way to begin another unforgettable day in Vergas, Minnesota!

Rare Tornado Damage - Floyd Lake

flew my drone over the west shore of Floyd Lake, just north of Detroit Lakes, to document the aftermath of last night's severe storms. The destruction was heartbreaking. Entire sections of shoreline looked almost like a war zone, with countless trees snapped or uprooted and property suffering extensive damage. Storms of this magnitude are rare in our area, but they serve as a reminder of just how powerful nature can be. What stood out even more than the damage was the response. Neighbors, friends, and complete strangers were already out helping one another—clearing debris, checking on loved ones, and doing whatever they could to begin the recovery. That's what makes our community so special. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the storm, and we're grateful for the first responders, utility crews, volunteers, and neighbors who immediately stepped up to help.

Demolition Day of the Detroit Lakes Pavilion

The end of an era has arrived in Detroit Lakes. After serving our community for more than a century, the historic Detroit Lakes Pavilion is being demolished to make way for a new chapter. For generations, this iconic landmark hosted countless dances, celebrations, community gatherings, and lakeside memories. While it's never easy to say goodbye to a piece of local history, the Pavilion had reached the end of its useful life and could no longer meet the needs of today's community. This drone footage captures the demolition process from above, preserving one final look at a building that meant so much to so many. Although the original Pavilion is disappearing, its legacy will live on through the memories it created and the exciting new waterfront destination that will take its place. If you have memories of the Pavilion, I'd love to hear them—share your favorite stories in the comments below. If you enjoy community history, construction updates, and aerial views of Detroit Lakes and the surrounding area, please like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you don't miss future videos documenting this exciting transformation.

2026 Minnesota Flyers Color Run

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I showed up to capture the 2026 Minnesota Flyers Color Run from the air. In fact, when they started handing out black shirts for a color run, I was a little confused! As it turns out, that was part of the fun. The black shirts became the perfect canvas for an explosion of color, creating an incredible sight from above. The element of surprise made the event even more memorable, and the energy from everyone participating was contagious. Check out this drone video to see the colorful chaos, smiling faces, and all the fun that made this year's Minnesota Flyers Color Run such a fantastic event!

Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary Soccer Park

A quick flyover of the Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary Soccer Park as the next generation of athletes got their practice underway. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a beautiful facility serving the youth of our community. This park stands as a lasting testament to the vision and foresight of the Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary, whose members recognized years ago the importance of investing in opportunities for local families and young athletes. Today, hundreds of kids enjoy the benefits of that commitment—learning teamwork, building friendships, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to all those who continue to make this incredible community asset a reality!

Pins for Patriots - Fun on the Golf Course

Today I had the opportunity to capture some drone footage of the Pins for Patriots golf tournament at Frazee Golf Course. This great event helps raise funds to send local veterans on the Patriot Flight to Washington, D.C., where they can visit the memorials built in honor of their service and sacrifice. A big thank you to all of the golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and organizers who make this event possible. Your support helps ensure our veterans receive the recognition they have earned. Honoring those who served, one flight at a time.

Detroit Lakes - Memorial Day at the Beachfront

Summer arrived right on schedule to help celebrate Memorial Day weekend on the beach in Detroit Lakes. Out on the water was the place to be - paddleboarding, boating, and soaking up a perfect day at the lake. Making memories with family and friends is one of the best ways to celebrate the holiday and kick off summer in lakes country.

Detroit Lakes - West Lake Drive Progress Update

Big progress happening this week! The sidewalk is well underway and curbs are now starting to go in along West Lake Dr. If everything stays on schedule, crews should have all the curbs completed and fresh sand placed on the beach by this weekend. Looking good out there! 🌊☀️

Detroit Lakes Water Tower - Bowl Lift

On April 13th, a major milestone took shape over Detroit Lakes as the massive steel water tower bowl was lifted into place atop its concrete pillar. This wasn’t a quick operation — the lift took approximately 3.5 hours to complete. Using a precise jacking system, the crew raised the structure one foot at a time, resetting cables after each increment. As the bowl climbed higher, a dedicated crew managed and spooled the cables to keep everything running smoothly. I had the opportunity to capture this incredible process from a unique perspective — flying close alongside the crew during the ascent and even inside the bowl as it neared its final position. It’s not every day you get to witness (and fly through) a piece of infrastructure history in the making. This is progress in motion.

Detroit Lakes Home & Sports Show 2026

Cruised the drone through the Detroit Lakes Home & Sport Show - it was a great day to spend with the family and plenty of ideas to bring home. At the Kent Freeman Sports Arena. Hosted by: Lake Region Builders Association & Leighton Media

April 2026 Detroit Lakes snowfall

Detroit Lakes is digging out from a heavy April snowfall ❄️ Take a quick flight down Washington and check out the Detroit Lakes Pavilion - all covered in fresh snow and looking like a true northern postcard.
There’s a good chance this could be the last time we see the Pavilion dressed like this.

March 2026 Detroit Lakes Lakefront Project begins

This flyover is a quick progress update on the beach frontage here in Detroit Lakes. While seeing so many trees removed is truly heartbreaking, it’s important to keep our eyes on the bigger picture - the beauty and functionality of what this area is about to become. Change isn’t always easy, but there’s a vision ahead that’s worth watching unfold.

2026 Detroit Lakes Cub Scout Pinewood Derby

The track was fast and the competition fierce at the Detroit Lakes Cub Scout Pinewood Derby during the 2026 Polar Fest! 🏁 From creative car designs to photo-finish races, these Scouts brought their best builds and a lot of excitement to the track. Events like this are what make Polar Fest such a great community tradition—families, fun, and a little friendly competition. Great job to all the Scouts who raced! 🚗💨

2026 Lake Park Midnight Riders event

Experience the energy of the Lake Park Midnite Riders Snowmobile Club Annual Swap & Ride from a whole new perspective. This drone footage captures the machines, the community, and the action as riders gather in Lake Park, Minnesota for one of the area’s favorite snowmobile events. The day builds toward the main attraction — the hill climb. Riders line up and take their turn attacking the steep climb, testing horsepower, traction, and skill as spectators cheer from below. From vintage sleds to modern high-performance machines, this event showcases the heart of Minnesota snowmobiling culture. If you love snowmobiles, swap meets, trail riding, and adrenaline-filled hill climbs, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

POLARFEST PROMOTIONAL LOOP

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest one of Minnesota’s premier winter festivals. From ice-based competitions to family-friendly activities, this aerial coverage showcases the energy, creativity, and scale of the celebration across Detroit Lake. Filmed in the heart of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, this video highlights the unique winter atmosphere, community spirit, and unforgettable moments that define Polar Fest. 

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area

Watch Detroit Mountain come alive at night. From glowing laser tubing runs to skiers carving under the lights, this aerial drone footage showcases the energy and atmosphere of night skiing like never before.

2025 Holiday Train

A Detroit Lakes crowd showed up with energy this afternoon as the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train ended the show with Silent Night. 🎄❤️

2025 Light Parade

Detroit Lakes Parade of Lights… as seen slightly elevated. 🚁🎄 Even at 13° outside, hundreds of awesome humans lined the streets of Detroit Lakes to enjoy the Parade of Lights — proving once again that Minnesotans consider anything above zero to be “festival weather.” 😂 50+ local businesses and organizations were showing off their brightest, sparkliest, most “hope this doesn’t blow a fuse” Christmas creations. If you were in the parade, cheering, waving, or simply trying to remember what your toes felt like earlier today… this video is for you. DL showed up, lit up, and warmed up the night (well, spiritually, not physically).

Halloween 2025 on Summit Ave

Take a spooky ride with me as we captured some Halloween fun on Summit Avenue in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. From colorful costumes to glowing jack-o’-lanterns, this neighborhood comes alive as trick-or-treaters fill the streets. 👻 Half the fun isn’t just the costumes — it’s the joy of handing out candy and watching the excitement of kids (and parents!) celebrating together. 🧙‍♀️🦸‍♂️ Families, friends, and neighbors all get in on the spirit, making it one of the most festive nights of the year. If you love small-town Halloween vibes, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share for more community drone videos and festive footage! 🎥✨

2025 Frazee CornerStone Haunted Forest

The Frazee CornerStone Collective pulled off an unforgettable seasonal scare this past weekend with the Haunted Forest and Farm—and it was a huge success! 👻 Thanks to the incredible creativity, energy, and dedication of our amazing volunteers, every eerie pathway and spooky scene came to life, making this event a truly memorable experience for all who dared to attend. From spine-chilling scares to festive fun, it was a night to remember! We’re so proud of how our community came together to make this event possible. Thank you to everyone who helped out, participated, and came to enjoy the frightful festivities. Your support is what makes events like these so special. Until next year... stay spooky! 🕸️🖤

Ortenstone Gardens in Detroit Lakes

If you haven’t been to Ortenstone Gardens yet, now is the perfect time to visit. The fall colors are nearing their peak, and the new art exhibits make the experience even more inspiring. Project 412 has been hard at work, and this video offers just a quick preview of all that’s been happening.

#OrtenstoneGardens #Project412 #GardenArt #ExploreLocal #HiddenGems #ArtInNature #ArtExhibit #CreativeSpaces #PublicArt #InspiredByNature

 

Bucks Mill fall scenery

With plans to remove the Bucks Mill Dam moving forward, this could be the last fall to see it in place. I thought it was important to record and share this moment from such a meaningful community and historic landmark.

 

2025 Detroit Lakes High School Homecoming Parade

What a perfect day for a Homecoming Parade!  Thanks to the smart decision to reschedule after Friday’s rain, the following Monday couldn’t have turned out better. Everywhere you look—it’s nothing but miles of smiles!

 

2025 Oktoberfest

Another successful Detroit Lakes Oktoberfest is in the books! Relocating between Zorbaz and Peoples Park turned out to be a fantastic choice—it gave the whole event a more festive atmosphere and really captured that fall festival feeling.

The interactive band got everyone involved in the fun!

 

The Dick Beardsley Races

Dick Beardsley is a Detroit Lakes marathoner famed for the 1982 Boston Marathon— known for his "Duel in the Sun" where he finished second just 1.6 seconds behind Alberto Salazar with a record-shattering time. This year celebrated the 30th anniversary of this annual event. The event offers a combination of multiple distance races to encourage full community involvement. The most popular of course is the 25k race with a loop all the way around the lake. This year more than 1400 people participated.

 

MINNESOTA - the woods in Mid-August

These are the wood along the Buffalo River in Northern Minnesota near Fargo.

 

Detroit Lakes Trucks & Tunes - July 31st, 2025

Project 412 really brought the energy, and The Johnny Holm Band absolutely crushed it! 🎶 They played all the classics—including Don’t Stop Believin’ (one of my all-time faves!). 🙌 If you missed it... you really missed out. Can’t wait for the next one!

 

Detroit Lakes Trucks & Tunes - June 19th, 2025

Detroit Lakes Trucks & Tunes – Your Perfect Summer Thursday! 🚚🎶 If you haven’t been to Detroit Lakes Trucks & Tunes, you’ve been missing out! Join us every Thursday night from 5–8 PM all summer long for an evening filled with delicious food truck eats and live music. Bring the family, pack your lawn chairs, and get ready to kick back and enjoy the vibe — we’ve got your summer nights covered!

 

The 2025 Parade of the Northwest

The Parade of the Northwest was the climax event of the 89th annual Water Carnival. The Detroit Lakes Jaycees really pulled off a wonderful week of events.

 

The 2025 Bash at the Beach - LONESTAR

The iconic country band Lonestar, performed at the Bash at the Beach concert in Detroit Lakes, one of the dozens of events in the community's 89th annual Northwest Water Carnival.

 

The 2025 Mark Knutson Memorial Tour da Lakes

The 89th Annual Great Northwest Water Carnival in Detroit Lakes is organized by the Detroit Lakes Jaycees, who have been hosting this beloved community festival since 1935. This year's celebration runs from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 20, 2025. This is the second year of the annual bike ride event as part of the Detroit Lakes Water Carnival to remember Mark Knutson who was the General Manager of Detroit Mountain and had passed away tragically in a bicycle accident. He was an avid skier and bicyclist, and was a highly respected member of our community.

 

Of The Earth - at Ortenstone Garden in Detroit Lakes

Unveiled July 7th, 2025 at the 50-acre Ortenstone garden, the brand-new sculpture "Of The Earth" by Olga Ziemska is the latest addition to what is fast becoming a standout art destination. The piece joins an evolving collection that also features one of Thomas Dambo’s iconic trolls. Project 412 Visit Detroit Lakes MN

 

The greatly anticipated Fireworks Display

Because of the storm that rolled through in the 4th of July, the fireworks was delayed for one day and went off without a hitch on the evening of July the 5th.  Here is the last 16 minutes of the 22 minute fireworks show.

 

The 5th of July 2025 in Detroit Lakes Minnesota

Detroit Lakes truly shines during the 4th of July. The sense of community is strong, with families gathering early to find the perfect spot for the fireworks, bringing lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, and smiles. The festive atmosphere, combined with the natural beauty of the lake and all the local activities, makes it a welcoming and memorable place for both residents and visitors. Whether you're enjoying a boat ride, catching a swim, or just soaking up the small-town charm, it’s easy to see why people love to celebrate here. A great place to live and visit, indeed!

There was a storm that came through the evening of the 4th of July, but the re-scheduled Fireworks took place on Saturday the 5th. Hundreds of boats scattered the lake, and thousands more viewed the fireworks from the shore of Detroit Lake.

 

Cruise DL - June 11th, 2025

This was the first Cruise DL night of the season. Every 2nd Wednesday of the month from June through September, you will find a treasure trove of amazing machenery lining West Shore Drive for nearly half a mile.  Don't miss a single event, although most of the entries come every time, there are new cars that show up from time to time.  Get to know the people behind the car, they all have a story to tell.

 

Truck & Tunes - June 5th, 2025

Be sure to include Truck & Tunes in your calendar every Thursday evening all summer long at Detroit Lakes City Park. Here are a few scenes from this week's event.

 

Detroit Lakes Memorial Day Weekend

The Holzgrove family has a tradition of putting up 100 flags along the one mile long public beach in Detroit Lakes. Saturday evening was calm and a perfect time to reflect and enjoy the beauty of the lake with the glow of the setting sun.

 

Detroit Lakes new Water Tower - May 13th, 2025

The new water tower is starting to take shape

 

Spectacular Sunsets at Detroit Mountain

I love night skiing at Detroit Mountain for the spectacular sunsets that are quite common there. From the top of the mountain you will see the sun set over the Lakes with the city lights in the foreground. But the number one reason to ski at Detroit Mountain is for the interaction with very kind and wonderful people. "Minnesota Nice" is a very real thing, and the people here take it to the next level!

 

2025 Detroit Lakes Polar Plunge - Second Half

Couldn't fit all of the jumpers on one video.  Nearly $80,000 was raised in this year's annual event for the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes.

 

2025 Detroit Lakes Polar Plunge - First Half

This is the big annual fundraiser for the Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club. More than a hundred volunteer jumpers were sponsored to jump for this cause.

 

Adult Pineword Derby Races

If you were ever a cub scout, you would completely understand. It was the dads that helped out to make your car a showstopper! This brand new Detroit Lakes Polar Fest event was done FIRST CLASS by Lance Akers and the Detroit Lakes Boy Scouts. Be sure to rev your engines and get a car ready for next year!

 

ULTRA Snowmobile Club

Nice weather and beautiful sleds made this year's ULTRA Snowmobile Club event a big hit. The vintage sleds were amazing! Polar Pete was also there to lend support as part of the DL Polar Fest.

 

COOL KITES on the Ice!

Project 412 hosted February 9th, 2025 "Cool Kites on the Ice." This is one of the many activities and events in the Detroit Lakes Polar Fest. It was a perfect day for kite flying - light winds and clear blue skies. Most families enjoyed watching the kites from their cars, but quite a few families got out to fully appreciate how huge these flying creations really are

 

POLES 'N HOLES - Kickoff to the Polar Fest

The 15th annual 2025 Poles 'n Holes Fishing Derby was very well attended in spite of colder than normal temps. Polar Pete was there to encourage these hearty fishermen. More than 40 prizes were given away. Top prize was an Ambush Stryker skid house, and I know that Tony Reller also offered an E-Bike.

 

Detroit Mountain New Year's Eve Torch Parade

This was the first time Detroit Mountain ever did a Torch Parade for New Year's Eve.  Because all participants were kids, they used Glow Sticks instead of flairs or sparklers.  Everyone had a good time

 

Light up DL at City Park

City Park has been illuminated with bright white Christmas lights near Alexia the Troll.  Make it a point to take a walk to see the park.

 

CHRISTMAS EVE FROST

The frost on the trees were so thick that it looked like a scene from a Hallmark movie.  Hundreds of ice fishermen were already set up with their ice houses and shelters of all types, and ready for the season.

 

DETROIT LAKES POLAR FEST

The Polar Fest is an annual tradition filled with two weeks of activities held in mid February every year.  This is a brief overview of just a few of the outdoor activities, but there are many more indoor activities as well.

 

2024 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

There was a large crowd that gathered to watch the whistle stop concert that the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train does every year as a benefit for the food pantry.  This year, the Holiday Train came to Detroit Lakes on a Sunday afternoon that helped the attendance a bit.

 

 

2024 Peteyville Christmas Lights

Bring the spirit of Christmas into your life and share it with the ones you love at Peteyville in Pelican Rapids Minnesota. The lights come on at 5:30 every night until January 5th.

 

 

2024 Detroit Lakes Parade of Lights

It is impossible to include every image, every exchange, every laugh, or every emotion in a short video - but this gives you a good idea of how good it is living in such a wonderful community. This parade is just one of the many examples where everyone comes together and rings in the spirit of Christmas. Even though it was just 13 degrees outside, it still makes your heart warm.

 

 

Dunton Locks - Fall Sunset

I was happy to see so many young people out enjoying the crisp fall evening with all of the vibrant colors in the trees and sky.

 

 

Jacob Everear - the Troll at Wannigan Park

This is a short ariel tour from the covered bridge to the Troll at Wannigan Park in Frazee Minnesota.

 

 

The Thomas Dambo Rabbit Trail - Mid-Fall Colors

Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit all of the Thomas Dambo Trolls in Detroit Lakes Minnesota. The Rabbit is probably the most unique of all trolls because it is covered in a recycled plastic material rather than pallets of wood like you would see in all of his other creations - not to mention that it is a rabbit rather than a humanoid figure.

 

 

Dunton Locks - Birdwatching in a Canoe

Detroit Lakes still has some beautiful weather in early October. We are about a week before full fall color and it is still quite warm to enjoy paddling around in the lake.

 

 

The Sweet Spot - Grand Opening

The Sweet Spot celebrated its Grand Opening today. Lillie's Lollipops now has a mobile, mostly official location at the corner of Highway's 10 and 11 in Audubon, across the street from Ortons. The next time you drive by, drop in and say HI!

 

 

2024 Detroit Lakes High School Homecoming Parade

The weather was absolutely perfect for thousands of students of all ages to line the streets to watch the Homecoming Parade.

 

 

Detroit Lakes - Sept 11th Tribute Auto Show

The final Auto Show of the year in Detroit Lakes happened to land on September 11th, so it was decided to do a tribute to the fallen heroes at this well attended event. Mayor Matt Brenk proclaimed the day to be Detroit Lakes "Patriot Day." What a wonderful way to enhance a traditional American auto show!

 

 

2024 Cormorant Daze

This is a video of the 2024 Cormorant Daze and the inauguration of the new Mayor of the city - a dog named Khaleesi Sherbrooke. Fun activities all day including an auto show, live music, bouncy houses, flea market, kiddie rides, wrestling match, amazing food, and much more!

 

 

Dustin Lynch at Music on the Mountain

Music on the Mountain is an annual event in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The venue is Detroit Mountain. About 4000 people attended this year's event featuring Dustin Lynch. This video is just a glimpse of the show, the setting, and the attendee experience.

 

 

Detroit Mountain Pond Skim Event

Detroit Mountain hosts a "Pond Skim" event to close out the skiing season.  This year's event was much earlier than normal on March 16th due to the minimal snowfall but the snow machines did a very good job keeping the runs open all season.

 

 

Cool Kites on the Lake - a Detroit Lakes Polar Fest event

The Detroit Lakes Polar Fest has dozens of community activities all taking place during the 2 week frozen festival. One of the highlights is the Cool Kites. You have to be there to fully appreciate how huge these kites really are. Just look at the people on the lake in comparison to the size of these flying creations.

 

New Year's Day 2024 at Detroit Mountain

This year so far, the season has not been very friendly for snow pack, but that isn't a huge problem at Detroit Mountain.  They have 17 huge snowmaking machines that blow plenty of man-made snow that keeps the skiers happy.   It is very nice to have such a nice facility within 10 minutes of downtown Detroit Lakes.

 

THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AT CITY PARK

No one was complaining about the warmer than normal temperatures at the Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Park. Detroit Lakes Project 412 sponsored this City Park Tree Lighting.  Mayor Matt Brenk did the count down with his ceremonial light bulb that illuminated dozens of trees and overhead streamers of lights.

 

THE CANADIAN PACIFIC HOLIDAY TRAIN

It was a beautiful clear blue sunny afternoon when the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train made its 25th annual whistle stop in Detroit Lakes to entertain a very large crowd.  The suggested caned food donation was to benefit the local Food Pantry.

 

DETROIT LAKES PARADE OF LIGHTS

The super cold 8 degree temps didn't keep away the community from ringing in the holiday season in style! The Detroit Lakes Christmas Tree lighting celebration was immediately followed by the Light Parade up Washington Ave. This year, the Grinch was as popular as Santa.

 

THS DEER SWAM ACROSS THE LAKE

I was with friends one night enjoying the sunset over an incredibly calm Big Detroit Lake getting some amazing footage of the sunset when we saw a ripple way out in the water of a large object making its way across the lake.  I decided to investigate and also came across a couple of girls on a paddle board that were also out investigating the large object that was crossing the entire lake.  Enjoy!

 

FALL COLORS ARE AMAZING HERE!

One of the blessings of living here is the amazing colors in the fall.  The season this year was longer than normal since we had very favorable weather until late in October.  This video was taken at Tamarack Lake on a typical Sunday afternoon.

 

2022 Detroit Lakes Memorial Day Tribute

Jason Bristlin and Chris Nord requested this video and if you get a chance thank the Lakes Region Color Guard as well as Dave Coalwell and his family for the amazing work they do every year at Oak Grove Cemetery. They honor those that gave all in an amazing tribute that I think is wildly appropriate! There are many volunteers that set up and take down this display and I thank them all! I am proud to be a part of this community and tributes like this represent the true nature of our Veterans respecting those that have gone before us. ALL GAVE SOME, AND SOME GAVE ALL! God Bless our fallen!

 

2023 Detroit Mountain Pond Skim

The Pond Skim is the last activity of the ski season at Detroit Mountain Ski Resort. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and have to have fun! This makes for an awesome community activity.

 

Hillfest 2023 at Detroit Mountain

Hillfest 2023 at Detroit Mountain was an awesome event! The weather was perfect and the riders had a good time showing off their skills to the spectators. You would think some of these snowmobiles had sprouted wings as far as they flew!

 

CRUISE DL AUTO SHOW

Detroit Lakes has a very active auto enthusiast group that line up their cars to show them off on the second Wednesday of each month all summer long. This particular night was the last one of the year on September 13th, 2023.

 

EVENING AT DUNTON LOCKS

Summer evenings are especially beautiful on the lakes - this is perhaps one of the top reasons why we live here.  Turn up the volume and enjoy the music as well.

 

The LOON is the Minnesota State Bird

One early morning I saw these two birds on the lake behind my home making their calls to each other.   I grabbed my drone and went to get a closer look and it felt like they were showing off to me and doing everything they could to be seen.  It is neat to see how they swim under water to catch fish.

 

Detroit Lakes Ice Palace LIGHTING

The Sn'Ice Palace lighting was the kick off of the 3-week Polar Fest in Detroit Lakes. There is nothing so spectacular as Fire and Ice! Events continue through February 27th.

 

Detroit Lakes Ice Palace Construction

This is the largest Ice Palace ever built in Detroit Lakes at 32′ tall x 95′ wide x 24’ deep! This was done in celebration of the city's 150th year anniversary. It took almost 2 weeks and hundreds of community volunteer hours to construct this amazing structure. The lighting of the Ice Palace is the kickoff of the 17-Day Polar Fest in Detroit Lakes with dozens of scheduled activities. "Minnesota Nice" is more than just a catch phrase here - it is a very real thing and with people coming together to create events such as this, it draws people to live here.