Alexandria helps "Awake the Lakes" to open the summer season

After a long winter and fairly non-existent spring, folks around here are itching to get out and enjoy the beauty and fun of the region. Summer is spectacular in west central Minnesota.

Alexandria starts the season off right with an Awake the Lakes festival that lasts all Memorial Day weekend. On Friday night, Big Ole watched over hundreds of people who enjoyed the annual Ribfest and the rockin' rhythms of Big Walter Smith and the Groove Merchants, and Whiplash.

What are your favorite regional summer events and activities? Share them with the West Central Blogger!

Alexandria/Fergus Falls named top "micropolitans"

Site Selection magazine recently listed Alexandria and Fergus Falls as two top "micropolitans" for 2007. A micropolitan is an urban area with a population of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000, with a number of construction or expansion projects.

Alexandria was ranked one of the 10th fastest growing micropolitans in the nation with eight business expansions that occurred in the last year. Fergus Falls was also recognized for its three business expansions.