City Beat: Boats, benches, bridge tours, and lots more

July 12, 2019

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Dakota Days This Weekend

You're invited! Come out to Prairie Island Indian Community this weekend for the traditional Wacipi, or powwow, as part of Dakota Days held July 11 - 13. Wacipi (pronounced Wa chee pee) is the traditional Native American cultural celebration where generations gather to socialize, dance, sing, visit, renew old friendships and make new ones. Wacipi literally means "they dance" and dancing will definitely be happening Friday night through Sunday. All the dance and singing competitions are outdoors, free, and open to the public to watch. Click here for details.

Your Seat Is Almost Ready

Red Wing's downtown is about to get benched--in the best way possible. Downtown Main Street and local artists worked together with the local philanthropic organization WINGS to create four unique benches for the community, each depicting an element of Red Wing. The clay-tile mosaic benches will be installed later this summer at the intersection of 3rd and Bush Streets. Curious about how the benches are made? Watch this.

Coloring Outside the Lines

The West End District welcomes a beautiful new mural, thanks to a collaboration between graffiti artist SPRAYFINGER, 12 local residents, and three Red Wing art organizations: Red Wing Arts, Red Wing Artisan Collective, and Art Reach. The artwork helps mark the beginning of a 5-year development plan in the area. Drive down Old West Main Street to see it for yourself--it's across the street from Kelly's on the Artisan Collective building. It's another spark in Red Wing's growing collection of public art.

Night to Unite - August 6

It's the great neighborhood party of the summer, so mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 6. Night to Unite is a chance for you to get to know your neighbors better, all with potluck food and games. Local police officers and firefighters will also stop by to chat and hear what's on your mind. If your area isn't having a party, consider coordinating one. It's not a lot of work and loads of fun.

Learn more here.

To host a gathering,

apply here by July 22.

How Do You Get Your City News?

Our goal is to have a better two-way conversation with you. That's why we ask questions -- lots of questions. We'll be asking you over the next few months questions on all kinds of topics - controversial, interesting, and sometimes off the beaten path. All answers are ANONYMOUS. We at the city never see your name or personal information. We receive results as a whole.

Our query this month: What kinds of news and information do you want that you're not getting? Answer here.

Last Month's Results on Red Wing's Parks:

The top two ways people use local parks are walking trails (61%) and relaxing, picnicking, and enjoying the views (42%) (Totals equal more than 100% because respondents could choose two options.) 76% of respondents said they knew of Red Wing's Park Naturalist program but had not attended a program yet. The majority of respondents (57%) attended a park multiple times a week.

What's Happening at Levee Park?

High waters have kept the Levee Park project from moving forward on schedule. So what's actually going on behind those "Park Closed" signs? Let's hear it straight from the project expert, Ron Seymour ( watch video here). Don't worry. A gorgeous park and new dock are in our future--we just need to wait a little longer. We know...it's hard to be patient!

Making Central Park Shine

The only thing better than a summer night in the park is one with live music and sparkling lights. So head to Central Park this Saturday, July 13, for the 11th annual Rolling River Music Festival and take notice of the night-time glow. The light fixtures, a wonderful gift from the Jones Family Foundation, now light up the park year-round. Learn more in this video. Then see it all for yourself this Saturday.

Can You Find It?

This poem lies somewhere in the city limits. Do you know where it is? Click here to tell us your answer, and you might win one of our summer prizes. Find out the winner, and the identity of this romantic and philanthropic author, in the next City Beat.

Congratulations to David Anderson, who won the last "Can You Find It?" The locations were at East Ave near 6th Street and the Historical Society. These hitching posts were a testament to the golden age of horse-drawn transport. Horses in the 19th century were the muscle behind carriages, road graders, fire trucks, hearses, and paddy wagons. The rings at the top were used to hitch horses so the animals wouldn't wander off during the owners' daily errands.

Your Tour Is Ready

Hard hat? Check. Boots? Check. Now you're ready for a bridge tour! If you're kicking yourself for missing the bridge tours earlier this summer, put your feet to better use and step out for a tour now. The Red Wing Chamber of Commerce is offering another chance on Tuesday, July 30 at 11 am. Call 651-388-4179 to reserve a spot.

Image of a tour group looking at the Red Wing Bridge Project

We'll Be at River City Days. Will You?

While you're enjoying the music, games, food, and fun at Red Wing's biggest multi-day festival next month, don't forget to check in with us, too. Staff from the City of Red Wing will be at our Bay Point Park booth ready to listen to what's on your mind. Come chat about city projects, learn about the upcoming single-sort recycling program, and let us know your questions and concerns. If you're lucky, you might also walk away with one of our fabulous prizes. Put River City Days, August 2-4 on your calendar now!

River City Days: August 2–4

Details here .

All in a Day's Work

Calli Owens joins City Hall this summer as a communications intern helping to write City Beat, among other projects. As a senior with a double-major in film and English, Calli has has been flexing her videography and creative writing skills already. She'll be out and about all summer working, so if you attend any of Red Wing's many events, you'll likely catch her there!

Photo of intern Calli Owens in front of City Hall

Watch the Meeting You Missed

Now you can view any City of Red Wing meeting at your convenience on our website. From this page , just select "Archive of City Meetings" and scroll down to find the specific meeting you're looking for, and you can watch it on any device. Or, select the "Channel 6 live stream," and you can watch our government access channel whenever and wherever you wish.