How to Spring into Grand Forks!

Spring in Grand Forks is my favorite season because it marks a time of seeing old friends. With long winters, time can pass without seeing your neighbors. So, when spring hits Grand Forks, not only do the flowers bloom, but so do the people. Read on for some uniquely great things happening in Grand Forks each spring!

One thing to note if you’re not a local, do not be fooled by our mini season within a season…aka “Fake Spring.” While timing varies year to year, you can always count on a classic Grand Forks spring fake out. Know that you can still get up to basically all the same activities during this time, and to take advantage while you can, because at least one more blizzard is in store for the year! Winter ain’t letting up quite yet!

For starters, walking on the Greenway is the perfect area to stroll around. In the spring the water level rises, which gives an opportunity to close encounters with many native species of the Great Plains. The Greenway is a trail covers more ground  even than New York Central Park, so the trails are very long. Little known secret, in the spring the Greenway hills are one of the best places in Grand Fork to sled because of the warmer weather, but the icy hills are still available. During Spring the weather is moderate, which is the best time to walk or jog on the Greenway.

Secondly, Turtle River is a great nature escape! It’s a twenty-minute drive from Grand Forks, so you don’t have to travel far! Because of the temperate weather it feels nicer to go on the trails and even swim in the river if it gets warm enough! Another fun fact is every spring the park stocks the river with trout so it’s a great time for those fly fishers out there.

Another great annual springtime event is Gardening Saturday! Hosted at the Alerus Center, is a fun indoor activity to celebrate the incoming of a new season. The Alerus Center holds an event once a year where local gardeners let people in on the preparation of the garden season. There are several presentations on different aspects of gardening, so if you’re be-leaf in having a good time while still wanting to learn, check it out!

Don’t be afraid to go to the Grand Forks Time Out Wacipi Powwow this year! This is an annual celebration in April where you will get to have the experience of your life. Native Americans dance to their traditional songs, open spectacular shops, and sing native songs. It’s a great opportunity to try something new and get out into our community! I highly recommend!

Another fantastic springtime event in Grand Forks is UND’s Feast of Nations annual event. It’s a huge cultural celebration of global cuisines and performances at the Alerus Center. This year is their 64^th anniversary of the event and it’s sure to be a good one! There will be a multi-course international meal, live music, and colorful displays of cultural attire. You can also visit different cultural tables to learn more about the different communities within Greater Grand Forks! Make sure to get your ticket sooner rather than later!

This year on May 10^th, the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra will be putting on a concert called, “Ancestral Sounds.” The Orchestra of Indigenous Instruments and New Technology from Argentina will be joining the concert as guest artists too, so it is sure to bring some unique springtime fun into your season!

In Grand Forks we are so north that we have a very clear view of the Northern lights. In the Spring it is one the most comfortable time to see them due to the warmness in the air. The beginning of March (right now!) is the best recipe for long dark nights and clear stable weather to give us the chance to see the sky dancing! Make sure to be on the lookout this spring!

Spring is a great time of year no matter where you are, but there is something exceptionally neighborly in this northern city. Be sure to check it out this coming season!