You'll never be far from some of the most breathtaking scenery
in southeastern Minnesota when you visit Plainview!
This small town—uniquely situated where rolling prairie meets the hardwood forest—
is anything but ordinary!  Plainview is twenty minutes from everywhere!  
The Mississippi River lies fourteen miles east of Plainview while the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest—which encompasses tens of thousands of acres of reclaimed wetlands, bluffs and valleys—is less than five miles from Plainview's city limits. With the Zumbro and Whitewater Rivers flowing through the Forest, the surrounding public parks offer visiters to the region unparalleled recreational opportunities.

Chamber Happenings!

Bluebell Festival on May 10th
should charm visitors to area!

Listing of events
at Carley State Park and in Plainview

Called the "Gem of the South" by one visitor, Carley State Park will be "on display" in all its springtime glory on Saturday, May 10th when Plainview hosts the 1st Annual Bluebell Festival at the park and in the city.

"It's almost too much to take in," said Joel Eggenberger, the Lions Club events' coordinator who has pulled together a bevy of community organizations to put on a variety of events. "The meadows are literally blue with Virginia bluebells and every turn on every path throughout Carley's 300 acres lets you 'discover' yet another breathtaking view!"

Visitors from outside the area agree. As one posting to Epinons.com stated, "when we were there on May 12th, the valley was an explosion of wildflowers and new spring foliage. Bluebells were everywhere. Trillium, violets and many more make this probably the best place to see spring wildflowers in Minnesota. That alone is reasons to visit. I found the walk here to be almost my fantasy of a bucolic valley in the bloom of Spring."

"We wanted to share what grows in our own backyard, " Eggenberger said. He added that people in town have been having fun with fairy lore. Bluebells are said to be the most potent plant for fairy magic. In fact, fields of bluebells are said to be so dangerously enchanted by fairies that a child who wanders into one may be held captive there by the fae. Adults who enter bluebell patches may become so enchanted that they are unable to leave until other humans come to lead them out.

Eggenberger added that the local drinking establishments have invented several "blue" cocktails for those adults who are immune to the enchantment of wildflowers. There will be a contest to choose the best cocktail.

Blue drinks aside, the Bluebell Festival is being billed as a family event and should coincide with the peak bluebell bloom at the park, which is located four miles south of Plainview on County Road 4.

Activities at the park include a trout fishing clinic for youngsters, Mother's Day wildflower card making, a guided wildflower walk, a bald eagle presentation by the National Eagle Center, face painting, binocular making and live entertainment. People are encouraged to bring their cameras to take family photos at a special "photo site." A professional photographer will also be on hand to snap pictures. For geocaching enthusiasts, there will be a cache with prizes from local businesses. On the way to the park on County 4, R&K Autobody is hosting a Car and Motorcycle Show.

Activities in Plainview include flower planting activities and coloring books for the children sponsored by the Garden Club at the Community Center. The club will also be selling perennial and annual flowers for your garden, and $1.00 Mother's Day corsages. The Plainview Public Library will be holding sessions dedicated to bluebell fairie stories and the Plainview High School Agriculture Department will be selling plants behind the school.

A Women's Expo is also planned at Immanuel Lutheran Church's Christian Life Center. Events there include a salad luncheon, plant sale, bake sale and vendors offering services and shopping. Featured guest speaker will be Renae A. Vinton, BS, Sp. Ed., MHP, whose topic will be "Defining the WHO in YOU".

An All-You-Can-Eat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast will start the day at the American Legion and the Lions will host a kick-off Pork Chop Supper on Friday night, May 9.

New websites added to Chamber directory!
Check out the new websites for Broadway Video and Fitness, Action Volunteers of Wabasha County, A.W. Beadblasting LLC,  The Hangerview, and Schad-Zabel Furniture Store. For more information on getting your business on the web, contact the webmaster.