Entertainment Briefs — June 22

BRAINERD — Every year, Brainerd Community Action gathers hundreds of artists and vendors in Gregory Park in the heart of the city of Brainerd.

This free event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 26, is the perfect way to spend an afternoon supporting the arts and taking in all the park at 424 N. Fifth St. has to offer, according to organizers.

William Grange, of Baxter, is one of the area artists who will be there.

Grange said, “My artistic endeavors are exemplified by creating both paintings and pottery. In my paintings, I use acrylics, watercolors, land pen and ink as the mediums and many times I will combine them. I attempt to offer an expanded vision, another point of view and create my own reaction to the subject matter. As Matisse said, ‘I represent the subject as shaped by my own vision and emotions. Why paint something people can see for themselves?’”

BRAINERD — Performances in the Park continues with Rockin’ Hill Band at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, in Gregory Park in Brainerd. The group’s music includes blues, jazz and rock.

Band members are Adam Rees, lead guitar; Hank Henkemeyer, drummer, vibes and mallet player, steel pan drum player, singer and percussionist; John Jambor, percussion and vocals; Mike Owen, drums and percussion; Darrell Thompson, bass and vocals; and Jim Hanson, keyboard and vocals.

Performances in the Park is a collaboration between the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department and The Center. Those attending should bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Contributed / The Center

BRAINERD — The Brown Bag Lunch Summer Author Series is back in person in the large meeting room of the Brainerd Public Library at noon Mondays in June and July.

Minnesota author Cary Griffith will discuss the new novel in his Sam Rivers mystery series, “Cougar Claw” at noon Monday, June 27.

In this outdoors mystery, special agent Sam Rivers investigates the unexplained — and very unlikely — cougar attack that killed a wealthy business owner. The sighting of a cougar in the Minnesota River Valley, outside the Twin Cities, is incredibly rare.

A deadly cougar attack on a human in this area is about as likely as getting struck by lightning — twice. Yet when Jack McGregor is found dead, the physical evidence seems incontrovertible.

Sheriff Rusty Benson brings in Sam Rivers, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent and a wildlife biologist, to examine the scene and sign off on his conclusions. But Rivers’ experiences have given him a penchant for understanding predators, and he has more questions than answers.

Contributed / Brainerd Public Library

Award-winning author Griffith grew up among the woods, fields and emerald waters of eastern Iowa. His childhood fostered a lifelong love of wild places, according to library officials.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Iowa and a master’s in library science from the University of Minnesota. He is also the author of “Wolf Kill,” “Gunflint Burning,” “Lost in the Wild” and “Opening Goliath.” He lives in a Twin Cities suburb.

This presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library through their volunteer and fundraising efforts.

For more information, call 218-829-5574 or visit facebook.com/Friendsofthebrainerdpubliclibrary .

Fairview Township officials are celebrating the township’s 100th anniversary with a car show/cruise-in 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 25, at Mount Ski Gull in Nisswa.

It is the first car show the township will have in its existence, according to officials, and local classic car owners and spectators are welcome to attend.

There are no entrance fees, no classes, no judging, and any age car is invited to the centennial celebration.

Commemorative magnets will be awarded to the first 25 entrants, with trophies awarded at noon.

The cruise-in will be followed by a community outreach event noon to 3 p.m. at the town hall and fire station No. 2 with the opportunity to meet the Cass County sheriff and county officials, the Fairview Trail Advisory Committee, and the Pillager Area Fire and Rescue crew.

Hot dogs, sloppy Joes and pulled pork sandwiches will also be available at the community outreach event following the car show.

BRAINERD — Is your flower garden glorious one month and a dud the next?

The Northland Arboretum is offering a “Continuous Color in the Garden” class 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25.

Join JoAnn Weaver as she highlights plants that provide color and interest as the growing season progresses.

The cost is $10 per person for Arb members, $15 for non-members. Advance registration is required, space is limited.

Call the Arb in Baxter at 218-829-8770 to reserve your spot.

CROSSLAKE — Stop in every Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. until Aug. 16 and enjoy an event put on by Crosslake Town Square Association and the Crosslake Community School.

This event is packed with all the fun of past years and so much more, according to organizers, including outdoor games, mini-inflatables, face painting, crafts and more.

There will be special appearances by the Wondertrek Children's Museum at the event on certain dates at Crosslake Town Square at 35770 Allen Ave.

PINE RIVER — The Cass County Fair at the county fairgrounds in Pine River is a family event filled with 4-H projects, activities for children and families.

The Cass County Agricultural Association is a nonprofit organization that has a group of volunteers who work together all year long to host the Cass County Fair. This year, the four-day fair begins Thursday, June 23.

For more information, call 218-839-9480 or visit thecasscountyfairmn.org .