Trout Run Trail dedication weekend events are being planned

All major aspects of the Trout Run Trail have now been finished, including the brand new Trout Run Trail Bridge over Highway 9.

That means the focus is shifting to an official dedication of the 11-mile loop.

Decorah will host "Trail Weekend" on Saturday and Sunday, September 22nd and 23rd.

"After more than 10 years of preparation the time has finally come," says lead trail volunteer Mike Huinker.  "Trail Weekend will not only be a great event to enjoy the trail, but an appropriate time to formally recognize donors, volunteers and other supporters who've helped turn this dream into a reality."

Trail Weekend is a collaboration of multiple trail-related events including Rotary's "Loop de Loop" Half Marathon and 5K run/walk, the 400 Block Juggernaut Community Party, Decorah Open Streets, and the Trout Run Trail Grand Opening Festivities. All events are open to the public.

The "Loop de Loop" Half Marathon or 5K run/walk will be held at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, September 22nd on Goose Island Drive behind Decorah  City Hall.  The Decorah Rotary Club will host the event on the Trout Run Trail. Participants can choose to walk or run the 5K, run the Half Marathon, or turn the marathon race into a relay with teammates. Each runner will receive a t-shirt and timing chip; prizes will be awarded to top runners. Early registration is happening now. More details and race route are available at www.decorahrotary.org.

The "400 Block Juggernaut" Community Party will begin at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 22nd in the 400 block of West Water Street.  There will be an obstacle course set up, then food and live music. 

The second installment of Decorah Open Streets will run from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 23rd on Claiborne Drive.  Open Streets will feature activities of all kinds--dancing, biking, jogging, games and more. More details and photos from their June event is available at www.decorahopenstreets.com.

There will be two Trout Run Trail art piece dedications on that Sunday--a 1:00 p.m. dedication at the Decorah Fish Hatchery of "Trout Run Trail Mosaic," created by Dean Schwarz and given by the Kleckner Family; and a 2:00 p.m. dedication along Dug Road Trail or  "Walking with Birds," created by Doug Freeman and given by the Bakken Family.

The official Trail Dedication and Donor Recognition Program will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, September 23rd, at the Decorah High School Auditorium.  This formal ceremony will honor landowners, contractors, grant writers, major donors and volunteers for their extraordinary efforts along with special recognition of key individuals and businesses who played an important role in the development of the trail.  Guests will enjoy live music from Lucas Blekeberg and the Bread and Butter String Band and local artists will have their trail-related artwork on display.

Following the program there will be a walk and bike ride to the new Trout Run Trail Bridge over Highway 9.   A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the new bridge.  Special recognition will be given to major bridge donors, Decorah Bank & Trust and Ronald and Kathy "Sylvanus" Dehning Family. Some parking is available at the new trail parking lot on the southeast side of the bridge, overflow parking is welcome at the Country Inn & Suites (Frontage Road).  In the case of rain, the walk/bike ride will be called off and the ribbon cutting will be held indoors at the High School Auditorium.

For more information or to volunteer for any Trail Weekend events, please call the Winneshiek County Convention & Visitors Bureau at (563) 382-2023, e-mail info@visitdecorah.com , or stop by the Visitor's Center at 507 W. Water Street in Decorah.