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Moose Lake, MN, Agate Days 2024

An Old Highway 61 Blog by Gail Gates

“If it weren’t for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song.”

–Carl Perkins

It’s a scorching July day, sweat glistening, as I made my way to Moose Lake, MN, for the 55th annual Agate Days. But hey, it’s Minnesota in July, so a free sauna is earned, right? Despite the heat, limp hair, and forgotten sunglasses, I had a fantastic time exploring the attractions in Moose Lake.

Curious about what makes Agate Days so special? Picture this: Art in the Park, the crazy Clark-Olsen-Lower Agate Stampede, and the Riverside Arena Gem Show. Add danceable live music, a nice assortment of food trucks, and a free shuttle service. (Despite the massive crowd, Moose Lake provides ample and convenient parking.) That’s just a sampling of the magic of Agate Days.

Fun Fact: In 1969, Minnesota declared the Lake Superior agate our official gemstone. According to the Moose Lake Chamber of Commerce’s website, “Moose Lake, MN is known as the ‘Agate Capital of the World’ and is home to the world’s largest agate on record, weighing in at 108 pounds. Whoa!

So here’s a breakdown of my time…

Art in the Park

After securing a parking spot, I meandered to Art in the Park, nestled in Moose Lake City Park. The setting was picturesque, with ample shade and a busy beach area by the lake. The air was filled with the enticing aromas of the food trucks, a kettle corn vendor, and a skilled blacksmith crafting iron tools. The atmosphere felt alive, with artists adding colorful canopies, art, and warm (or hot?) smiles to the landscape. I wanted to explore further but hadn’t decided where to go next. Just then, the Arrowhead Transit Shuttle pulled up. I hopped on and sat in the front to chat with the driver, Aimee. She is an unsung hero—really! Aimee said it would be a loooong day, and she probably wouldn’t get home until 4 a.m., but she really enjoys what she does. I rode around with her to get a feel for the “hot spots” and to absorb the energy of the people getting on and off her bus. I found myself smiling a lot. Aimee was funny, pleasant, engaged, and patient. Nothing phased her, and as a result, the riders—and there were a lot of riders—were calm and happy as well.

Aimee suggested I watch the clock to secure a spot along the street where the Stampede would occur. “It starts at 3, but you want to be there early, or you won’t get near the street.” With that bit of excellent advice, I hopped off the shuttle. Aimee was right. It was 2:20, and the sidewalk along the street was already lined with people of all
ages.

Agate Stampede

Luck was me, however. I spotted a space, about as slim as a knife blade, next to two women around my age. (Let’s leave it at that, shall we?) I edged over and asked their permission to encroach. They gave it. It turned out that Wendy and Christine had driven from West Virginia to take in Agate Days. “We are bonified rockhounds,” said Christine. “We heard about Agate Days a year ago but couldn’t make it. This year we planned a trip around this visit. We have stopped in Michigan and Wisconsin, and now we are here!” I asked if they had been finding select rocks. With a sheepish look, Wendy said they had somewhere between 150 and 200 pounds of rocks in their car. “And we’re not done yet!”

As the time nudged closer to 3 P.M., volunteers stretched yellow tape between the street and the sidewalks. An announcement was made that the two dump trucks would NOT unload the rocks until everyone was off the street and up on the sidewalk. I felt the pressure of the growing crowd at my back but held my ground.

Fun Fact: Two dump trucks spread their loads of stones evenly over the street. Mixed in with more “common” rocks are 400 pounds of agates, $400 in quarters, and $100 in half-dollars!

“Okay, people,” said the announcer. “Once the trucks have emptied their loads, we will all count down from 10. A bullhorn will sound, and the stampede will begin! Ready?”

They were more than ready. I looked at Christine and said, “If you look over here later and only see a bloody smear where my trampled body is, remember me kindly.” She smiled. “There lies Gail. She took good pictures.” And with that, the bullhorn sounded. A rush of bodies slid past me; it was mayhem on the street. But it sure as heck looked fun.

Riverside Arena Gem Show

After the stampede, I saw Aimee and the transit shuttle coming my way. She stopped, and I once again slid into the front seat. Her next stop was the Gem Show, which was perfect. “Just FYI,” she said, “They are selling pork chops as a fundraiser on the arena grounds. I just had one, and oh my gosh! I would hurt people to get another one. They are THAT good.” However, I was thirstier than I was hungry, and I appreciated that the vendors were selling ice-cold bottled water for $1. Ahhh. Did I mention it was a very hot day?

After quenching my thirst, I meandered through the building, looking at all things agate and gemstoney. (Is that a word? It is now!) There was even a special space showcasing rocks that glow in the dark!

The grounds surrounding Riverside Arena held many more vendors, with a large area reserved for tailgaters. The curiosity and reverence on people’s faces as they looked through boxes, showcases, and tables confirmed the following of lapidarists and rock hunters.

Heading Home Thoughts

The afternoon was waning, and I had a long drive home ahead of me. If I had had more time, I would have checked out the Steak Fry supper being held at the Moose Lake Fire Hall. On one of my shuttle rides, I heard people remarking on how good the meal was based on previous years. “Just get there early because once they run out…”

There was also a ticketed Brew Fest at the Moose Lake Muni. A hot day and cold beer sampling? How good does that sound? Maybe next year.

My guess is there were a lot more events over the two-day festival than I was aware of, but I was tired and content.
It is hard to beat a small town’s pride in tradition and hospitality. Although the crowds were large, everyone I encountered was kind and helpful. I am delighted to say Agate Days is a wonderful event for families, couples, and
adventurers of all ages sampling the fun along Old Hwy. 61.

P.S. I wonder if Christine and Wendy made it back to West Virginia with all of those rocks in their car or if they had to rent a trailer!

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