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Over the past nine years, Prairie Days has evolved into a cherished community tradition in Long Prairie, Minnesota. An event launched in 2017 as an effort to bring the town’s summer celebrations back into the heart of downtown has blossomed into a week-long festival bringing together residents of all ages across several blocks of Central Avenue – from First Street to Fourth Street. Each year features an assortment of activities highlighting what makes Long Prairie special. In 2025, Prairie Days attracted several thousand people across all events.Prairie Days takes center stageWhile Prairie Days culminates with a packed day of activities...

Long Prairie, Minnesota, is zeroing in on attracting staycation, state, and national travelers with a new tourism resource hosted on the City of Long Prairie website. A Tourism webpage highlights local attractions and a variety of upcoming events for vacationers to enjoy on a trip to Todd County. Cornerstones of the new web presence are promoting the hidden gems surrounding Long Prairie and how a fun family getaway is possible on a limited budget.Attractions for outdoor enthusiastsLove spending time in nature? Lake Charlotte Beach, the Long Prairie River, and numerous other nearby lakes offer opportunities to engage in various activities...

With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, Long Prairie students were able to tap into career aspirations at a recent career fair welcoming students from seventh to twelfth grade. This year marked the return of the fair after several on pause. Brad Evenson, community education coordinator at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Senior High School, said receiving an Achievement and Integration Grant for the school district was instrumental for arranging the program to meet the needs of approximately 500 students.“One of the things the grant focuses on is post-secondary education for kids from underprivileged schools,” Evenson explained. “You work on...

“For those of us who have loved this park for generations, seeing Riverside come back to life is a dream come true,” says Reta Dahlen, a long-time resident of Long Prairie with a deep passion for the restoration of Riverside Park. “This park is a piece of our history and our future. Today's efforts will ensure that future generations can enjoy its beauty and learn its story.”The City of Long Prairie is embarking on an ambitious and heartfelt project to restore Riverside Park, a cherished natural and historical landmark. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, the support of local government,...

How Rural Communities Are Attracting Investment, Talent, and Business GrowthEconomic developers in rural America face increasing challenges--workforce shortages, limited funding, and tough competition from larger regions. But some communities are breaking through and getting results.What are they doing differently?Our partners at Golden Shovel Agency have the answer. In this free whitepaper, “Proven Marketing Strategies to Grow Rural America,” we uncover the strategies that are working right now--from digital marketing tactics to success stories from real rural communities.Who Should Download?If you're responsible for driving economic growth in your community, this whitepaper is for you. Ideal for:Economic Developers aiming to enhance their...