Drew Cooper 7-9pm
Some people love music, and then there are those who live in it. On bad days, I find myself just listening to music and then my problems feel small. And when I play music, it recreates the same moment that saved me. It’s the closest thing to holy as I can get. 

Anyone who has witnessed a performance from Drew Cooper can testify to that sentiment, to experiencing a stirring of the soul kind of sensation as the music washes over. The husky, soul soaked baritone of his voice is no doubt the very foundation his entire sound is built on. It’s a well-worn timbre that in one moment haunts you with the Teddy Pendergrass-esque stylings of old Motown, and the next moment you’re bobbing your head up and down in that involuntary way that only pure rock n roll can invoke. That rock spice is always going to be part of the meal with Cooper having grown up in the Midwest where classic rock dictated pretty music everything, but you are also going to taste a hint of country and, sometimes, the gospel influence of his youth. It’s hard to know what to call this hodge-podge stew of savory sounds, but Cooper serves it up this way. “Americana is the easiest way to explain it, but that’s a blanket statement for those that have their own sound. Am I rock? No. Am I country? No. I just sing it and play it how I feel it.” 

SongBridge 6pm
Local favorites SongBridge will open for Drew. The band is comprised of four musicians who play popular music from the 60s - current day with a focus on harmonization. 

General Admission: $15 members, $20 non-members
Doors open 5pm

The Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee, in collaboration with local businesses, is cranking up the summer vibes with Thursday Tunes. It is your new favorite way to kick off the weekend early!

Expect live music that hits just right, fresh local food vendors, and a laid-back, feel-good atmosphere that brings the whole community together.

Free, fun, and family-friendly. Come for the tunes, stay for the magic.

Great music.  Local flavor.  Good vibes.

ROGER CLYNE & THE PEACEMAKERS
“Here’s to life!” Fans around the world can be found singing the chorus of the Roger Clyne-penned fan favorite “Mekong” and toasting their glasses in unison to celebrate life through rock-n-roll. But the inspiration for the song dates back to the time Roger went to Taipei, Taiwan, as a college student to teach English during the day and busk with his guitar at night for money.

Clyne continues to transform his life experiences, inspirations, observations and his own muses into timeless music. And whether he’s wearing his Converse high tops, boots or sandals, Clyne’s blend of punk rock, country-western and mariachi influences have made him, drummer PH Naffah, guitarist Jim Dalton and bassist Nick Scropos – collectively known as Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers – one of America’s best live rock-n-roll bands.

Starting with the seminal Tempe quartet, The Refreshments, Clyne and Naffah put the fun in rock during the 90s grunge era with a sense of humor. They also started what would become a trademark sound on all future albums by adding mariachi horns, something Clyne was influenced by while in college studying Cultural Anthropology with an ethnography study of mariachis during a three month immersion stay with a local family in Ensenada, Mexico. 

The Refreshments’ debut album, “Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big & Buzzy,” became a cult classic. It produced the alternative radio hit “Banditos” which also had significant airplay on MTV and earned The Freshies an appearance on The Conan O’Brien Show. Clyne then penned and performed the theme song for the Mike Judge animated TV series, King of Hill. In 2017, Here’s to Life: The story of The Refreshments, was released. The feature-length documentary was a hit with fans and critics alike.

The Terrace is Aitkin's newest venue. It's a non-profit, outdoor performance venue operated by Aitkin County Friends of the Arts. The space is also a place for community gatherings. When there are no scheduled events, The Terrace is a welcoming place for the community to gather, share meals and stories, play card games, or just relax. 

The Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee, in collaboration with local businesses, is cranking up the summer vibes with Thursday Tunes. It is your new favorite way to kick off the weekend early!

Expect live music that hits just right, fresh local food vendors, and a laid-back, feel-good atmosphere that brings the whole community together.

Free, fun, and family-friendly. Come for the tunes, stay for the magic.

Great music.  Local flavor.  Good vibes.

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union is keeping you safe from identity theft with a Community Shred Day.

Have your personal documents shredded in a Paper Storm mobile document shredding truck for free.

Shred Day will take place rain or shine. There's no charge for this service, however, please limit yourself to three boxes of documents per person.

Please remain in your vehicle. Staff will instruct you on what to do when it is your turn.

Event Details

The story of Midnight River Choir is proof that sometimes great bands just happen. One night, four strangers ended up on a late night float trip down the Guadalupe River. As they made their way down the river singing songs, the beautiful harmonies floated into the heads of sleeping campers. The next morning, the boys overheard a man telling a friend that he was “awakened by a midnight river choir.” That was all it took. The boys realized the magic of their combined talents and began writing and performing together under that River-God given name. The formation of Midnight River Choir was nothing short of a force of nature that now translates seamlessly during their live shows. This band needs no labels or comparisons. Their music speaks volumes about who and what they are. Their lives have been woven together by a strong thread of raw energy both on and off stage. They believe that what you get is what you give and they give everything they have to their crowds. When that kind of energy lands back at the feet of the boys it is something of supreme intensity.

And no one ever forgets it.

Eric Middleton: Guitar, Lead Vocals
Bob Driver III: Bass, Vocals
Blake Bentley: Piano, Vocals
George Talbert: Drums, Vocals

Video Sample 

General Admission: $15 members, $20 non-members

Your purchase toward any Aitkin County Friends of the Arts concert directly sustains & supports the future of performing arts in Aitkin County. Your purchase matters! Thank you! 

Join us for a family-friendly evening at Paradigm Automotive as we host this month’s Business After Hours event!

 Enjoy delicious food
 Enter giveaways & win great prizes
 Connect with fellow community members & business owners
 Bring the whole family!

This is a great chance to tour the shop, meet the Paradigm team, and unwind with food and friendly faces. Whether you're new to the area or a longtime local, we’d love to see you there!

FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE!

The Nature Arts Village is an artist-led, vibrant space for you to create and experience art by and with talented local artists. You'll find a wide variety of art, including art for kids with a special emphasis on connecting nature with art. Though the Nature Arts Village will be associated with the Nature Rocks Concert for Conservation, it will be accessible to everyone – not just people who buy concert tickets.​

Let’s Go Girls – Ladies Night Out
Downtown Aitkin, MN
Thursday, June 19 | 4:00 – 7:00 PM

Let’s go girls! Grab your crew and head downtown for an evening of fun, music, and local shopping at Aitkin’s Ladies Night Out—with a cowgirl twist!

Here’s what’s happening:
Live Music to keep the good vibes going
Great Deals at your favorite local shops
Bar Service to toast to a night out
Prizes & Giveaways you won’t want to miss

Pull on your boots, bring your best gals, and enjoy a night made for kickin’ back and having a blast. It’s all about good times, local love, and letting loose—let’s go girls!

Prizes and drawings will be announced at 7PM

The Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee, in collaboration with local businesses, is cranking up the summer vibes with Thursday Tunes. It is your new favorite way to kick off the weekend early!

Expect live music that hits just right, fresh local food vendors, and a laid-back, feel-good atmosphere that brings the whole community together.

Free, fun, and family-friendly. Come for the tunes, stay for the magic.

Great music.  Local flavor.  Good vibes.

Rivers & Lakes Fair Mission (RALF) Statement:

The Rivers and Lakes Fair of Aitkin County, Minnesota provides information and education on natural resources, for children and adults, within a stimulating and enjoyable setting.

The purpose of the fair is to: 

• Bring individuals and resource specialists together;

• Create a respect and concern for our natural resources

• Promote stewardship through wise management of natural resources.

This is a golden opportunity to provide kids aged 8-17 years old, a free airplane ride in a general aviation aircraft with an experienced pilot!!! Great way to introduce kids to aviation!!

Meet the Pilot

The pilots who participate in the Young Eagles program are local members of EAA who are volunteering their time and aircraft to make your flight possible. Each Young Eagles pilot is certified with the Federal Aviation Administration or Transport Canada. Flights are conducted according to federal regulations, and no aerobatic maneuvers will be performed. A pilot's complete youth protection training is vetted via a background check.

What will the pre-flight be like?

The pilot will explain what your child will see and do. This may include explaining how airplanes work, looking at an aeronautical chart (or map), and describing the interior of the airplane, including the instrument panel. Then comes the fun part: time to go flying!

Safety Reminders

Safety is always a top priority when it comes to aviation. Listen and follow instructions given by that pilot, stay away from the propellers, and stay with the pilot or ground crew at all times. Do not enter the ramp area unescorted.

What will the flight be like?

Young Eagles will spend about 15 to 20 minutes in the air and experience the awesome feeling of flight that many people only dream about. Many people remember this experience for the rest of their lives!

🎨 The Art & joy of creating a Talking Stick! 🪶 This fun and creative workshop invites kids to craft their very own Talking Stick — a meaningful, one-of-a-kind gift for Father’s Day! Using leather, beads, fur, and feathers, kids will decorate their stick however they like and learn the beautiful tradition behind this powerful communication tool. We have only 15 projects for your kids! Reserve it today.

🌟 What’s Included:
A brief history of the Talking Stick and its respectful use
All materials for decoration and construction
A practice session in a listening circle
Optional gift wrapping & a Big Foot greeting card designed by Fortunato
✨ A fun and meaningful experience that nurtures creativity, communication, and community!
When: Thursday, May 29th
Time: 3:30 to 6:30 pm
Fees: $10
Ages: 7 – 12 yrs Old
Register now by scanning the QR code and reserve your child’s project. Before May 19th
“This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.”

🎨 Let Your Child's Creativity Shine This Father's Day! 🧡Join us for a heartwarming, hands-on art event where your talented little ones can paint wooden birdhouses (6 available) and/or windchimes (2 available) , turning them into meaningful gifts for the father figures in their lives. 🌿✨
This family-friendly activity invites kids of all ages to create with love and imagination. Each project comes with a special gift bag and a charming Big Foot Greeting Card, thoughtfully designed by artist Fortunato, with six unique designs.
💌 It’s more than an art project — it’s a memory in the making.
Let’s celebrate love, creativity, and the people who make a difference in our lives. 💙
When: Tuesday, May 27th
Time : 3:30 to 6:30 pm
Fees: $15
Grades 2nd +
Register now by scanning the QR code and reserve by May 19th. Spots are limited!
“This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.’

Aitkin Friends of the Library hosts the book presentation and signing of author Stephanie Mirocha's new memoir, "Tree Trek: A Daughter's Walk Through Grief."

Aitkin Women of Today’s Memorial Day Cookie Bake Sale

Friday, May 23rd

11:00 - 1:00 (or until sold out)

Aitkin County Courthouse Lawn

•We will have gluten free cookies!

•Buy in single, 1/2 dozen, or dozen packages!

•Fill your cookie jar with cookies for Memorial Day!

Business After Hours at Pal & Co & The Beanery

Join us for a fun and casual evening at two of Aitkin’s most beloved spots—Pal & Co and The Beanery! This special Business After Hours event will give you the opportunity to network with fellow Chamber members, enjoy delicious refreshments, and learn more about the incredible services these local businesses offer.

Date: May 22nd
Time: 5PM - 7PM
Location: Pal & Co and The Beanery, Aitkin, MN

Event Highlights:

• Mix and mingle with local business owners and community members.

• Discover the latest offerings at Pal & Co, your go-to for boutique clothing and gifts.

• Sip on refreshments and treats at The Beanery while enjoying a relaxing atmosphere.

• Special promotions and giveaways to make your evening even more enjoyable!

This is a perfect opportunity to support local businesses while making valuable connections within the Aitkin community. Whether you’re a regular at The Beanery or haven’t yet discovered Pal & Co, this event is the perfect chance to explore what makes Aitkin’s business scene so vibrant.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for a casual and meaningful morning walk hosted by Aitkin County, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN, and Petals of Peace!

Walk with the Doc:
Enjoy a relaxed stroll with Riverwood Healthcare Center’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Janet Larson. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow community members, share stories, and engage in thoughtful conversation.

Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
Meeting Point: Petals of Peace
After the Walk: Return to Petals of Peace for light refreshments

All physical abilities are welcome — whether you’re walking, rolling, or strolling, we’d love to have you with us! Bring your friends and family to make new memories and enjoy a morning of community and connection.

We can’t wait to walk and talk with you!

An Evening of Flavor & Fun
Join us for a 5-course tasting experience where refreshing summer cocktails are perfectly paired with vibrant seasonal dishes.
$75.00 per person
Thursday, May 15 | 6pm
Spaces are limited — reserve early by calling Amanda 218.330.6057 or sign up at Block north