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Detroit Lakes, this one's ours. 🌅 A sunset, a sailboat and trees. A little lake country in the skyline. Our new water tower is in Tnemec's 2026 Tank of the Year competition. Public voting chooses the People's Choice winner, and voting closes tomorrow, Friday, October 16. One vote per email address. Cast yours here: tnemec.com/tank-of-the-year-2026/detroit… What's your “we're home” landmark around Detroit Lakes?

People's Choice voting closes October 16, 2026; the exact closing hour was not verified.

Four ways to spend your weekend around the lakes 🍂 Bring the little ones, get outside, or make a plan for after dark. 🏰 Family Art: Cardboard Castles Saturday, October 17 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Holmes Art Studio, 806 Summit Avenue, Detroit Lakes. Kids and adults build a cardboard castle together. All ages welcome, $20 per family. Preregistration required. 🌽 Otter Berry Farm Sunday, October 18 | Corn maze and activity area: 1 to 5 p.m. Make a family afternoon of the corn maze, farm activities and pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch closes at 4:30 p.m. Just southeast of Perham: 38132 470th Avenue, New York Mills. From Highway 10, head 3.4 miles south on 470th Avenue. Check farm updates and admission details before heading out. 🍁 Maplelag Day Saturday, October 17 | Free trail access from sunrise to sunset. Live music, cabin tours, food, drinks and the gift shop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 30501 Maplelag Road, Callaway. 🌙 Frazee Haunted Forest & Fright Farm Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17 | Starts at 6:30 p.m.; last entry at 10:30 p.m. Check CornerStone for tickets, directions and whether it suits your group. Which one would your family pick? All times Central. Details checked October 12. Check organizer updates before heading out. Illustrative artwork, not photographs of the venues. Cardboard Castles: dlccc.org/event/family-art-series-cardbo… Otter Berry Farm hours: otterberryfarm.com/hours Farm directions: otterberryfarm.com/directions Maplelag Day: visitdetroitlakes.com/event/maplelag-day Frazee organizer: cornerstonefrazee.org/hauntedforest.html

A dated weekend plan. Details were checked October 12; follow the organizer links before you go.

Food scraps have another stop in Becker County. Public organics drop-off is free. Start a small kitchen container lined with a paper bag or BPI-certified compostable bag. Food scraps and coffee grounds are accepted. Keep regular plastic bags, liquids and yard waste out. Use the designated organics collection, not the ordinary recycling bin. Three Detroit Lakes options on the county’s current list: 504 Davis Ave 1308 Rossman Ave: Ice Arena/County Fairgrounds 24413 County Road 144: Becker County Transfer Station (during open hours) Save this for your first trip. Check the full county accepted-items list at the source below. What sorting question should we cover next? Already sorting your food scraps? Tell us in the comments how much less trash you're taking out. In our house, the bin doesn't get smelly as fast, so it goes to the curb less often and less of it ends up in the landfill. Original representative kitchen illustration. Sources: Becker County Environmental Services: co.becker.mn.us/dept/environmental_servi…

Before freezing nights, take a quick walk around your home and disconnect every garden hose. Turn the outdoor faucet off, remove the hose, drain it and store it. An attached hose can keep a standard frost-free faucet from draining. Trapped water can freeze and split the faucet tube inside the wall. The leak may show up when the faucet is used again. Follow your faucet manufacturer’s winterizing instructions; different models and setups need different steps. Hose removal is one preventive step, not complete winterization for every property. Send this reminder to someone who still has a hose hooked up. Sources: American Red Cross: redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for… Woodford Manufacturing: woodfordmfg.com/woodford/HowAFaucet/How%… Illustrative visuals and simplified wall section; not an installation diagram or a local weather forecast.

A dance, a wedding, a concert: what brings the old Detroit Lakes Pavilion back for you? Built in 1915, it became a gathering place for generations. The city’s August 26, 2026 project update outlines the next chapter, with a proposed June 2028 opening to events. Dates remain subject to change. What’s one Pavilion memory you’d want the next generation to know? Tell us what happened and about what year in the comments. Project information: cityofdetroitlakes.com/pavilion Historic postcard (1917): LakesnWoods.com Postcard and Postcard Image Collection, lakesnwoods.com/DetroitLakesGallery.htm Entrance photograph: Detroit Lakes Tribune file photo.

The Reel uses a Detroit Lakes Tribune file photo and a 1917 postcard, which stay on Facebook. The drawing here shows the entrance as it stood.

Your weekend around the lakes | October 9–11 🍂 Five local ideas to make a plan with friends or family: • Mountain Market: Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., at Detroit Mountain. • Kids & Parents Expo: Saturday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Detroit Lakes High School. $1 per person donation. • Pelican Rapids Oktoberfest: Saturday shopping, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the high school; wagon rides, 2–4 p.m. at the Farmers Elevator. Bands at the VFW Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; evening admission button required. • Thea’s Pumpkin Patch: Rick Fiedler, Saturday noon–3 p.m.; Mike Morse, Sunday 1–4 p.m. Admission $10; ages 2 and under free. • Rustic Pumpkin Centerpiece: Saturday, 3–4:30 p.m., Detroit Lakes Public Library. Free for ages 13+; registration required. Check the event page for availability. Did we miss something? Add the event, town, and time in the comments so your neighbors can find a plan. All times Central. Details checked October 8; check organizer updates before heading out. Event sources: visitdetroitlakes.com/event/mountain-mar… leightonevents.com/kpe-detroit-lakes pr-oktoberfest.com/schedule theaspumpkinpatch.com larl.libnet.info/event/17257849 Library exterior photo: “Carnegie Public Library, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota-01.jpg” by Myotus, CC BY 4.0; cropped with camera movement and animated leaves. It does not depict the workshop. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carnegie… License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

A dated weekend plan, checked October 8. The library photograph in the Reel is by Myotus, CC BY 4.0.

Somewhere in the woods around Vergas, there's supposedly a Hairyman. Today, the whole town throws him a party. Hairyman Festival, Saturday, September 26: 9 AM: Free Hairyman yoga at the baseball field Noon to 5 PM: Market, vendors and food trucks 1 to 5 PM: The Cropdusters, free live music 2:30 PM: Kids costume show 4:30 PM: Hairiest Person, Best Mullet and Mating Call contests Plus a side-by-side trail ride, bean bag tournament, ninja obstacle course and more. Full program and updates: vergascommunityclub.com/2026-hairyman-fe… Got a good Hairyman call? Drop it in the comments.

A dated festival plan for September 26, 2026.

Planning a fall-color drive? Start here: Minnesota DNR Fall Color Finder. dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html 1. Open the link above, or search 'Minnesota DNR Fall Color Finder' and choose the DNR website. 2. Check the statewide map and individual state park reports near the area you want to visit. 3. Check the date: use the latest reports for current conditions. Future dates on the slider show typical colors from past years, not a forecast for this year. Before leaving, check the weather and your destination's park alerts. Save the link for your next outing. Illustrative artwork, not photographs of actual locations or a live color map.

Three ways to get out TODAY, Saturday, September 19! 🍂 🎃 Audubon Autumn Kickoff | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Audubon Elementary School parking lot. Vendors, live music and activities for the kids. 🧺 Shady Hollow Flea Market | Today September 19 is on the official fall market calendar. 🥨 Oktoberfest DL | Noon–5 p.m. Zorbaz + Peoples Park, Detroit Lakes. Music, games and an Oktoberfest market with the Detroit Lakes Noon Rotary. Send this to your Saturday crew! Know something happening Sunday, or another local event we missed? Add it in the comments. Check organizer updates before heading out. Sources: ACN flyer supplied to Lakes Area Connect; shadyhollowfleamarket.com/calendar.php ; visitdetroitlakes.com/event/oktoberfest-… Original graphic design. #LakesAreaConnect #DetroitLakes #Audubon #LakesCountry

A dated plan for Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Rollag: where history still works. A steam-threshing gathering with family and friends in 1940 grew into a public reunion in 1954. The machines are part of the draw. So is the know-how that keeps them working. Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion runs September 4-7, 2026, with Steiger as this year's feature. Day passes are $20. Children 14 and under are free with a paid adult. Check the organizer's current details before heading out. Who first took you to Rollag? Share this with them, and tell us what you always go back to see. EVENT DETAILS + HISTORY Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion: rollag.com rollag.com/about 2026 Steiger feature: rollag.com/about/expo Historical corroboration: Minnesota State Moorhead, Northwest Minnesota Historical Center, collection S4936: mnstate.edu/library/university-archives/… PHOTOGRAPHY + CREDITS Real archive photographs, not coverage of the 2026 reunion. No photograph depicts the specific 1940 or 1954 gathering. Jerry Huddleston (chief_huddleston), August 30, 2025: "Soo Line 353, WMSTR" (two photographs) flickr.com/photos/9265232@N04/54757443782 flickr.com/photos/9265232@N04/54758534529 "Dresser Trap Rock 3, WMSTR" flickr.com/photos/9265232@N04/54758527984 Licensed CC BY 4.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Courtney Ficek, "Rollag," September 4, 2010: flickr.com/photos/79748512@N07/7309426444 Licensed CC BY 2.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 Photographs were cropped, resized and lightly graded, with editorial camera movement and text added by Lakes Area Connect. People, machinery and smoke were not generated or artificially animated. Credits identify sources; no photographer, organizer, manufacturer or pictured visitor endorsement is implied. This is a narrated editorial, not an interview or on-site report.

• Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion ↗
• WMSTR: About ↗
• WMSTR: 2026 feature ↗
• Minnesota State Moorhead Archives, collection S4936 ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook.

Four days. Four completely different Lakes Country moods. Thursday, August 20: Trucks & Tunes at Detroit Lakes City Park. Food and the beer garden open at 5 PM, Hardwood Groove & Friends starts at 6 PM, and admission is free. If rain rolls in, Bucks Mill is the official backup. Friday, August 21: New York Mills Corn Feed runs from 4–7 PM. The Kalevala Puppet Pageant follows at 7 PM with giant puppets, stilt walking, and Finnish folklore. Saturday, August 22: Lakes Area Farmers Market at Peoples Park runs from 10 AM–1 PM. If you still want music, Third Street Blues plays Long Bridge from 6–10 PM. Sunday, August 23: Bill and Julie Kaiser play Music Under the Pines from 4–5:30 PM inside Forest Inn at Itasca State Park. Seats are provided; a state park vehicle permit is still required. Save this, pick the mood that fits, and recheck the organizer before you leave. Event details and weather plans can change. Regional LAC atmosphere is used for context and is not event footage. #DetroitLakes #LakesCountry #WeekendPlanner #LakesAreaConnect

• DLCCC: Trucks & Tunes, Hardwood Groove & Friends ↗
• Project 412: Trucks & Tunes ↗
• 2026 Kalevala Puppet Pageant ↗
• City of New York Mills ↗
• Lakes Area Farmers Market ↗
• Long Bridge: Third Street Blues Band ↗
• Minnesota DNR: Music Under the Pines ↗
• Minnesota DNR: State Park Fees ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook. Details were current when this was shared on 2026-08-20.

Quick beach-day correction: Detroit Lakes City Beach remains open while part of West Lake Drive is under construction. Current City of Detroit Lakes and Becker County project guidance shows the Legion Road to Rossman Avenue stretch closed through late August. Project dates are tentative and can move with weather and construction. Beach access: use West Lake Drive from Rossman Avenue or Washington Avenue, or enter from Legion Road. The entire sand beach is open; some turf and work areas remain fenced. Parking: West Lake Drive from Rossman to Washington, nearby side streets, the Fairgrounds, Peoples Park, City Park, or the American Legion. One important closure: the Rossman boat access and launch is closed and fenced. Walking and biking remain available on the new multi-use trail and beach walk. Please stay outside fenced work areas. Check the live Closures and Access map before leaving: storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/17307f0… Source checked August 17, 2026: City of Detroit Lakes and Becker County West Lake Drive Phase 3 and City Beach Improvements project hub. #DetroitLakes #LakesCountry #CityBeach #LakesAreaConnect

• West Lake Drive Phase 3 and City Beach Improvements ↗
• Closures and Access ↗
• Construction Updates ↗
• Construction Schedule ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook. Details were current when this was shared on 2026-08-19.

Before Glendalough belonged to all of us, its private lodge welcomed two future presidents. For more than 60 years, the Minneapolis Tribune and Cowles family used this land as a private retreat and game farm. That private chapter also helped keep hundreds of acres and miles of shoreline around five lakes largely undeveloped. The land was donated on Earth Day 1990, and the deed reached Minnesota DNR in 1992. This Saturday at 4 PM, the DNR is leading a free Sunset Lake Stroll through woods, prairie, and part of the former game farm. A state park vehicle permit is required. Severe weather or poor air quality can cancel the program, so check the official DNR listing before you go. Who would you take on the trail? Tell us in the comments. If you learned something new, give this a like and share it with someone who loves Glendalough. Sources: Minnesota DNR. Official Saturday event: dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/event.html?i… Photo credits: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0; McGhiever and James Benjamin Bleeker, CC BY-SA 3.0. Photographs were cropped, color-graded, and animated for vertical. Adapted photo sequences are shared under the corresponding licenses. Photos: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Glen… Licenses: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0 and creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0

• Photo on Wikimedia Commons ↗
• CC BY-SA 2.0 license ↗

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. This adapted still is shared under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Seven studios. More than 20 artists. One free road trip. The Lakes Art Tour runs Friday and Saturday, August 14-15, from 10 AM to 5 PM across Ottertail, Richville, and Clitherall. Follow the blue signs between seven studio locations and meet local and regional artists working in pottery, painting, handmade paper, woodwork, jewelry, metal arts, and more. A portion of tour sales supports the Women's Domestic Violence Shelter of Otter Tail County. Save the route, pick two or three stops, and leave a little room in the car. Details can change. Recheck the official listings before you drive. Sources: Lake Region Arts Council Arts Calendar and Otter Tail Lakes Country Association.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for August 14 and 15, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

You can hear late summer in three different ways this weekend. First splash: the Young Life Triathlon starts at 8:00 AM Saturday at the Detroit Lakes public beach. Old engines: Perham's 55th Pioneer Festival runs Saturday and Sunday at the Pioneer Grounds with antique tractors, demonstrations, a flea market, old-time ice cream, live music, and more. Check the current festival schedule before driving. Final putt: Pine to Palm closes Sunday at Detroit Country Club, with the championship semifinal in the morning and the final beginning at 2:45 PM. Save this for the weekend. Which sound feels most like late summer to you? Event details checked August 12. Conditions and schedules can change. Real LAC regional atmosphere is used for context, not as event coverage.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for August 15 and 16, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Before clearing shoreline plants, identify what is growing there and check the rule that applies. Minnesota DNR guidance says removing any emergent vegetation, including cattails, bulrushes, and wild rice, requires an aquatic plant management permit. For submerged plants, cutting or pulling without a permit is limited to 2,500 square feet or less and no more than 50 feet along shore, or half your frontage, whichever is less. Herbicides, automated control devices, and larger areas require a permit. Plants that are cut or pulled must be disposed of on land so they cannot drift to another property or wash back into the lake. Save this before a shoreline project, then check the current DNR guidance for your exact plant, method, and site. Source checked August 8, 2026: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Plant Management Program and Aquatic Plant Regulations. #MinnesotaLakes #LakeHome #LakesCountry #ShorelineCare #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. DNR rules were checked August 8, 2026.

Detroit Lakes changes gears on Tuesday. Start downtown if Crazy Daze is on your list. The official listing runs from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on August 11, with shopping inside and outside along Washington Avenue. At 6:00 PM, Justice for Stringbean begins at the Detroit Lakes City Park bandshell and runs to 7:30 PM. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Looking later in the week, Pine to Palm runs August 10 through 16 at Detroit Lakes Country Club, and the public is welcome to watch. Save the 7-to-6 handoff, then send it to the person who always asks what the plan is. Recheck the official listings before heading out, especially for outdoor changes. #DetroitLakes #LakesCountry #CrazyDaze #PineToPalm #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for Tuesday, August 11, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Becker County is named for a man who never represented Minnesota in Congress. In October 1857, Minnesotans elected three men, but the state was entitled to only two seats. Minnesota's Legislative Reference Library says the three drew lots. George Loomis Becker lost and never served. State authorities offered him a different place in history: the next county they created would carry his name. On March 18, 1858, they kept the promise and established Becker County. Becker was not a local founder. He was a St. Paul lawyer, former mayor, and brigadier general. Today his borrowed last name covers more than 400 lakes and 11 communities across Lakes Country. Save this for the next county-road drive. Which Lakes Country name should we unpack next? Sources: Becker County official history and the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. The 1895 county map appears for geographic context, not as an 1858 documentary image. Present-day regional footage is maintained LAC visual context and does not depict the historical events described. #BeckerCounty #LakesCountryHistory #MinnesotaHistory #DetroitLakes #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. The Reel's 1895 county map appears for context only.

Friday has one daytime music stop, then two very different night plans. RANCH: WE Fest gates open at 2 PM. Main Stage 2:30 PM: Elizabeth Nichols 4 PM: Diamond Rio 6 PM: Stella Lefty 8:15 PM: Max McNown 10:30 PM: Thomas Rhett Trading Post 5:15 PM: Blake Proehl 7:15 PM: Matt Schuster 9:35 PM: Elizabeth Nichols Midnight: DJ B-Rock Country Club Stage, separate 3-Day Country Club add-on required 3:20 PM: Micah Gallagher 5:15 PM: Matt Schuster 7:15 PM: Nathan Bess THEATER: The Everly Brothers Experience featuring The Zmed Brothers and The Bird Dogs Band comes to the Pelican Rapids High School Fine Arts Auditorium. Doors open at 6 PM and the show starts at 7 PM. The concert is a fundraiser for next summer's theater production at Pelican Rapids High School. DAYTIME STUDIO: Outstate Brewing in Fergus Falls has Open Studio from 10 AM to 1 PM for recording, songwriting, music production, and jamming. This is a hands-on studio session, not a concert. These are the additional nearby music options we could verify from current official listings. Which Friday-night plan fits you: RANCH or THEATER? All WE Fest stage times are subject to change. Check the official app or organizer listing before leaving. #WEFest #DetroitLakes #PelicanRapids #FergusFalls #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for Friday, August 7, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Skip the giant list. Draft one weekend mood. DUST: I-94 Speedway Friday at 7 PM in Fergus Falls, then Silver Sage Pro Rodeo Saturday in Clitherall. Silver Sage opens the gates at 4, mutton bustin starts at 5, the rodeo begins at 7, and live music follows. STAGE: Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters Friday at 8 PM at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, or Lake Itasca Family Music Festival from Friday at 4 PM through Sunday at 1 PM. HOMETOWN: OtterFest in Ottertail on Saturday. The parade starts at 11, with classic cars, family activities, live music, and fireworks at dusk filling out the day. Or stay closer to Detroit Lakes at Shady Hollow, open Saturday and Sunday from about 6:30 AM to 3 PM. The 3.5-acre flea market has 25 permanent vendor cabins, up to 100 daily vendors, food, and a giant slip-and-slide when weather allows. Admission and parking are free; the slide has a separate $5 all-day pass. Which weekend are you drafting: DUST, STAGE, or HOMETOWN? Comment one word, then leave one genuinely useful tip for a first-timer. Schedules and availability can change. Check the organizer before leaving. #LakesCountry #ThingsToDo #DetroitLakes #OtterTailCounty #FergusFalls #OttertailMN #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for August 7 to 9, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

One sharp-eyed lake owner made a difference. On April 20, 2026, the Minnesota DNR confirmed zebra mussels in Little Cormorant Lake near Audubon after a property owner reported adult shells attached to equipment pulled from the lake the previous season. Before a boat, trailer, or gear leaves the water: • CLEAN off every visible plant or mussel. • DRAIN every compartment and leave plugs out while transporting. • DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash. Docks, lifts, and rafts must dry for 21 days before moving to another water body. If you think you found a new infestation, take a clear photo, note the exact location, and contact a DNR invasive-species specialist. Boat owners: what spot on your rig is easiest to miss? Official DNR sources: dnr.state.mn.us/news/2026/04/20/zebra-mu… dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/preventspread_… Visual note: scenes are educational illustrations, not photographs of Little Cormorant Lake, the reported equipment, or a specific infestation. #LakeOwners #BeckerCounty #CleanDrainDispose #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. The illustration is a field guide, not a photo of the lake or the reported equipment.

Before the camper moves, do the four-count. 1. Time: Tuesday Early Access check-in at the listed campground tollbooths runs 10 AM to 10 PM. VIP check-in is listed separately, so confirm your pass type. 2. Passes: every person camping needs both a festival ticket and a Camp Access wristband. A campsite does not include either one. 3. Fit: everything, including one vehicle, has to fit inside the campsite. 4. Length: Northwoods has a 30-foot maximum. An RV or vehicle over 40 feet requires two standard campsites. Not Early Access? All-camper check-in starts Wednesday, also 10 AM to 10 PM. Save this, then confirm the newest details in the official WE Fest app or at wefest.com/camping/ before you roll. LAC-approved regional atmosphere, not WE Fest footage. #WEFest #DetroitLakes #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for WE Fest week, August 2026; details were current when it was shared.

WE Fest week starts tomorrow. Save this before the group chat starts asking questions. 1. MONDAY ROAD RULE: MnDOT says no Highway 59 shoulder parking before noon Monday. Vehicles arriving early can be removed and penalized. After noon, stay in the vehicle and do not set up chairs, grills, or a roadside camp. 2. CAMPGROUND CHECK-IN: Monday has no campground access. Early Access check-in runs Tuesday from 10 AM to 10 PM. All campers can check in Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 10 PM. 3. CAMPER CREDENTIALS: Every camper needs a festival admission ticket and a separate Camp Access wristband. A campsite purchase alone is not enough. 4. THURSDAY TRAFFIC: County Highway 22 becomes one-way southbound. Blue Ox and Viking campers arriving Thursday or later should approach from the north. 5. SHUTTLES AND PARKING: Hilltop and Detroit Lakes Chamber shuttles run Thursday through Saturday. Day parking allows one entry per day, and vehicles must leave by 2:30 AM. 6. LOCAL DRIVER NOTE: Even if you are not attending, check 511 before heading south of Detroit Lakes and allow extra time. Details can change. Recheck the WE Fest app, official WE Fest pages, and 511 before leaving. Sources: Minnesota Department of Transportation and State Patrol; official WE Fest At-A-Glance and Camping pages; 511 Minnesota. Visuals are representative reuse-licensed festival, camping, transportation, and Detroit Lakes context photos. They are not WE Fest event coverage. Photo credits: ckramer (CC BY 2.0); Good Free Photos (CC BY 3.0); Masaverttinen (public domain); Virginia State Parks staff (CC BY 2.0); Richard Eriksson (CC BY 2.0); Myotus (CC BY 4.0); Winnebaggo (CC0); Paul VanDerWerf (CC BY 2.0). Cropped and color-adjusted. Full source and license links are prepared for the first comment. #WEFest #DetroitLakes #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

• Photo on Wikimedia Commons ↗
• CC BY 2.0 license ↗

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for WE Fest week, August 2026; details were current when it was shared. The faint background photo is a representative festival scene, not WE Fest.

Audubon has a good little Saturday stop today. The Audubon Hometown Market is at Al's Bar & Grill today, Saturday, August 1, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Stop in, wander the local vendors and makers, and see what catches your eye. The market scenes are from a previous Hometown Market and were shared by the organizer for this advertising post. Audubon town views by Royalbroil via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Town photos cropped, color-corrected, and animated by Lakes Area Connect. License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 #AudubonMN #ShopLocal #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

• Photo on Wikimedia Commons ↗
• CC BY-SA 4.0 license ↗

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for Saturday, August 1, 2026; details were current when it was shared. The Reel's market photos were shared by the organizer for that post and stay on Facebook. This adapted still is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Two live-music ways to spend Friday night. Vergas Looney Days is the bigger finish: - Food and beer trucks run from 4 to 9 PM at Loon Park. - Free Fallin performs from 7 to 9:30 PM. The concert is listed as free. - Finale fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 PM. - Seating is limited, so bring lawn chairs or a blanket. For a smaller lakeside night, Mike Hokanson is scheduled at The Fish Bowl on Cotton Lake from 7 to 10 PM. Vergas gives you the festival and fireworks. The Fish Bowl gives you live music, food, and drinks by the water. Check both official event pages before leaving for schedule or weather updates. Sources: Vergas Community Club and The Fish Bowl official event listing. #VergasMN #RochertMN #LiveLocalMusic #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for Friday, July 31, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Six weekend picks from Thursday afternoon through Sunday, with a fuller Saturday plan for the Becker County Fair. 1. THURSDAY: Sink or Float runs from 2 to 3 PM at the Detroit Lakes Public Library. The hands-on boat-building activity is listed for ages 5 through 13, and the library says to wear clothes that can handle a mess. 2. FRIDAY OR SATURDAY: Local youth perform Aladdin at Historic Holmes Theatre Friday at 6 PM and Saturday at 10:30 AM. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. 3. FRIDAY NIGHT IN VERGAS: Food and beer trucks run from 4 to 9 PM at Loon Park. The free Tom Petty tribute runs from 7 to 9:30 PM, followed by fireworks at 9:30. Bring a chair or blanket. 4. SATURDAY AT THE BECKER COUNTY FAIR: Tractor gathering opens at Adkins Equipment at 8 AM and the parade leaves at 10:30, finishing at the fairgrounds. Awards follow at 11:30 under the big tent. From there, Family Day continues with 4-H and FFA activity and tent entertainment before the midway opens at 1 PM. The demo derby is listed for 7 PM. Grandstand tickets are $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 6 through 12, and free for ages 5 and younger. Fair gate admission is free, general parking is $5, and the fairgrounds are at 1310 Rossman Avenue in Detroit Lakes. 5. SATURDAY IN VERGAS: The street fair runs from 9 AM to 4 PM. The day also includes wiener-dog races, family games, inflatables, wagon rides, live music, a water-ski show from 5 to 6:30 PM, and the street dance at 8 PM. 6. SUNDAY IN VERGAS: The classic-car show runs from 9 AM to noon, free music runs from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, the grand parade starts at 2 PM, and water fights follow. The realistic move is one early stop, one afternoon anchor, and one late night. Recheck the official organizer pages before leaving because outdoor schedules, parking, and event status can change. Sources: Lake Agassiz Regional Library, Detroit Lakes Cultural and Community Center, Vergas Community Club, and Becker County Fair. #DetroitLakes #VergasMN #BeckerCountyFair #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for July 30 to August 2, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

A small-town Wednesday plan in Perham. The International Turtle Races are Wednesday, July 29 at Turtle Race Park, right beside the Chamber and City offices. - Registration starts at 10 AM. - Racing begins at 10:30 AM. - The organizer lists the event as rain or shine. The easy move is to arrive for registration, keep the morning light, and decide where lunch goes after the races. Check the official Perham Area Chamber listing before leaving for any last-minute updates. Source: Perham Area Chamber of Commerce official event listing. #PerhamMN #TurtleRaces #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for Wednesday, July 29, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

One easy Tuesday night in Detroit Lakes. The Lakes Area Chorale performs Tuesday, July 28 from 6 to 7:30 PM at the City Park bandshell. - The concert is free. - Bring a lawn chair or blanket. - Free-will donations are welcome. - If weather forces a cancellation, organizers say they will make that decision by 1 PM and share it on their website, Facebook page, and local radio. Grab a chair, check the official event page before leaving, and send this to the person joining you. Source: Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center official event listing. Outdoor details can change. #DetroitLakes #LiveLocalMusic #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for Tuesday, July 28, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Fair week starts Wednesday, Lakes Area. Before you head to the Becker County Fair: - The fair runs Wednesday, July 29 through Saturday, August 1 at 1310 Rossman Avenue in Detroit Lakes. - Gate admission is free. - General parking is $5 a day. A $20 season parking pass is listed at the fair office. - Wednesday's $20 midway wristband requires two non-perishable food items and is honored from 5 PM to close. - Use the designated bike-parking area. Bikes and skateboards cannot be used inside the fairgrounds. - Only certified service animals and registered exhibit animals are allowed inside. - Kent Freeman Sports Arena is the designated storm shelter. Save this for the group text and send it to whoever is driving. Sources: Becker County Fair official site and 2026 premium list. Details can change. Recheck the official fair site before leaving. #BeckerCountyFair #DetroitLakes #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for July 29 to August 1, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Happy Saturday, Lakes Area. Before a highway run to the cabin, the Pelican Valley Navigation Company moved passengers, freight, and mail through a roughly 12-mile chain of lakes, channels, and locks southwest from Detroit Lake. The company operated from 1889 to 1918. A normal trip to Shoreham took about an hour, while the later route to Big Pelican Lake could take about three. The small launches usually carried 35 to 40 passengers. The automobile eventually changed the route, but Dunton Locks and other traces still connect the modern map to that older lake-country system. What Detroit Lakes place should we open the archive on next? Source and archive images: Minnesota Historical Society MNopedia and Becker County Historical Society. Selected images are labeled public domain on the source record.

• Minnesota Historical Society, MNopedia: Pelican Valley Navigation Company ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook.

Happy Friday, Lakes Area. Summer Storytelling at Ortenstone Gardens & Sculpture Park runs today from noon to 1 PM at 1646 Randolph Road in Detroit Lakes. It is a free community event featuring stories, poetry, humor, and other readings. Bring your lunch and a lawn chair or blanket. Check the official event page before leaving in case the outdoor setup changes. Send this to the person who likes a good story, and comment with the local storyteller you would love to hear next. Source: Visit Detroit Lakes official event listing.

• Visit Detroit Lakes: Summer Storytelling, July 24 ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook. Details were current when this was shared on 2026-07-24.

Happy Thursday, Lakes Area. The Johnny Holm short version: - Trucks and Tunes runs 5-8 PM at the Detroit Lakes City Park bandshell. - Food trucks and the beer garden start at 5 PM. - The concert starts at 6 PM. - Bring a lawn chair or blanket. - The Pop Up Trail Party starts at 4:30 PM, weather permitting. - If weather changes the concert plan, the official listing names Bucks Mill Brewing as the backup. Check before leaving. Comment with who you are meeting in City Park tonight, and hit like if the short version helps. Source: Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center official event listing.

• Detroit Lakes Community & Cultural Center: Trucks & Tunes, Johnny Holm Band ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook. Details were current when this was shared on 2026-07-23.

Happy Tuesday, Lakes Area. Three easy Detroit Lakes stops for the week: - Tuesday: Small Change at Music in the Park, 6-7:30 PM. - Thursday: Johnny Holm, 5-8 PM. - Sunday: Art in the Park, 9 AM-3 PM in City Park. Admission is free. Save this for the group text, and comment with the stop you are choosing. Sources: Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center and Visit Detroit Lakes official event pages. Recheck the official listings before heading out.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for July 21 to 26, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Happy Monday, Lakes Area. The Monday-after reset: - Save the good Water Carnival photos in one album. - Dry the lake gear and return the borrowed chairs. - Write down the one moment you want to remember next year. - Turn the calendar forward to Art in the Park: Sunday, July 26, 9 AM-3 PM in City Park. Admission is free. Comment with the Water Carnival moment we should remember next year, and hit like if these little local resets help. Source: Visit Detroit Lakes official event pages. Recheck the official listing before heading out.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook.

Some parade stories start with a marching band. This one starts with an empty street. A few folding chairs appeared along the Detroit Lakes lakefront. Then tents. Then families finding their places. By one o'clock, the route was ready. And then the flags came around the corner. The 90th Parade of the Northwest brought color guards, fire crews, marching music, youth groups, local businesses, and plenty of water along the route on Sunday. The parade closed the 2026 Northwest Water Carnival, an all-volunteer tradition organized by the Detroit Lakes Jaycees. This longer Lakes Area Connect look back follows the route from the first chairs to the Jaycees at the end of the line. If you were there, what moment made the day for you? #DetroitLakes #WaterCarnival #ParadeOfTheNorthwest #LakesCountry #LakesAreaConnect

• Detroit Lakes Jaycees: Water Carnival ↗
• Detroit Lakes Jaycees: Parade of the Northwest ↗
• Visit Detroit Lakes: 2026 Northwest Water Carnival ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook. Details were current when this was shared on 2026-07-20.

Happy Sunday, Lakes Area. Keep the Water Carnival finale simple today. The Parade of the Northwest steps off at 1 PM from the Rossman Avenue and Kent Freeman Arena area, then follows West Lake Drive, north on Washington Avenue, and over to Front Street. The Bald Eagle Waterski Show is listed after the parade on Little Detroit Lake. Bring water, arrive with time, and use the official route for your parking plan. When you get home, hang the towels and life jackets where they can dry and clear one landing zone for Monday. Sources: Detroit Lakes Jaycees official 2026 schedule; U.S. Coast Guard life-jacket storage guidance.

• Detroit Lakes Jaycees: Searchable Event Schedule ↗
• U.S. Coast Guard: Cleaning and Storing Your PFD ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook. Details were current when this was shared on 2026-07-19.

Happy Saturday, Lakes Area. Before the 90th Northwest Water Carnival closes, here is the tradition behind the number. The Detroit Lakes Jaycees trace the Water Carnival to 1935. Their official history notes pauses in 1937 and 2020. Today the celebration runs ten days with more than sixty events, led by volunteers and the year's Water Carnival Admiral. The 90th finale steps off Sunday at 1 PM with the Parade of the Northwest, followed by the Bald Eagle Waterski Show on Little Detroit Lake. Comment with the Water Carnival memory your family still tells, and hit like for more local history. Source: Detroit Lakes Jaycees official Water Carnival history and 2026 schedule. Event update source: Audubon, MN Hometown Market public group. One more Saturday stop: Audubon Hometown Market is at the ALS Bar and Grill parking lot in Audubon today from 10 AM to 2 PM. Share this with someone making a Saturday loop.

• Detroit Lakes Jaycees: Water Carnival ↗
• Detroit Lakes Jaycees: Searchable Event Schedule ↗
• Visit Detroit Lakes: 2026 Northwest Water Carnival ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook.

Happy Friday, Lakes Area. This weekend's music plan has one obvious center: Bash Night outside Lakeside on Saturday, July 18. Born Too Late opens. Saved by the 90s headlines. Doors are at 6 PM, admission is listed at $20, and the 90s costume theme is very much part of the night. Eat early, give yourself extra arrival time, and dress for an outdoor show. Comment with the act you are backing, Born Too Late or Saved by the 90s, and hit like. It helps us keep the local sound map growing. Source: Detroit Lakes Jaycees official Bash Night listing. Recheck before heading out.

• Detroit Lakes Jaycees: Searchable Event Schedule ↗
• Detroit Lakes Jaycees: Water Carnival ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook. Details were current when this was shared on 2026-07-17.

Happy Thursday, Lakes Area. Do not try to do the whole Water Carnival finale. Pick the window your group will actually enjoy. Friday: free Chalkfest from 3-6, then Comedy Night at Kent Freeman Arena with doors at 6 and the show at 8. Saturday: tournaments and family activity during the day, then Bash Night outside Lakeside with doors at 6. Sunday: Parade of the Northwest at 1, followed by the Bald Eagle Waterski Show on Little Detroit Lake. Kids and daylight: Friday afternoon or Saturday. Late night: Bash Night. Big tradition: Sunday. Comment with your lane and hit like if these planners help. Recheck the official Jaycees schedule before heading out. Source: Detroit Lakes Jaycees searchable 2026 schedule.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for July 17 to 19, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Happy Wednesday, Lakes Area. Detroit Lakes says swimmer's itch has been reported around the City Beach area. That is not a beach closure notice. The City notes that treatment can lessen the immediate hosts but does not guarantee swimmer's itch is eliminated. The CDC says exposure is more likely in shallow water near shore. Towel dry or shower immediately after leaving the water, and do not feed birds around swimming areas. Swimmer's itch is not contagious. Save this for the beach bag and check the City Parks page for any newer local update. Sources: City of Detroit Lakes Parks and Recreation; CDC swimmer's itch guidance.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. The City of Detroit Lakes status was current on July 15, 2026.

Happy Tuesday, Lakes Area. Water Carnival week, the short version: Tuesday: Beachfront Big Band at Tuesdays in the Park, 6 PM at the City Park Bandshell. Wednesday: Junior Water Wars at 5:30, Ice Cream Social at 6:30, and Water Fights at 7 around People's Park and Phinney Avenue. Thursday: Water Carnival Blood Drive from 1:30-6:30 and Bingo from 4-9 at Kent Freeman Arena. Friday: free Chalkfest from 3-6, or Comedy Night with doors at 6 and the show at 8. Weekend signal: Bash Night Saturday and the Parade of the Northwest Sunday at 1. Save this and comment with the lane your crew is taking. Recheck the official Jaycees schedule before heading out. Source: Detroit Lakes Jaycees searchable 2026 Water Carnival schedule.

• Detroit Lakes Jaycees: Searchable Event Schedule ↗
• Visit Detroit Lakes: 2026 Northwest Water Carnival ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook. Details were current when this was shared on 2026-07-14.

Happy Monday, Lakes Area. The five-minute cabin reset this week: dry and inspect the life jackets before they disappear into a gear pile. Store them fully dry in a cool, ventilated place out of direct sunlight. Check straps, buckles, fabric, and foam. Follow the label for cleaning, and skip machine washing, bleach, dry cleaning, or direct heat. Make sure the guest pile includes sizes that actually fit kids and adults. Save this for the next cabin reset. Source: U.S. Coast Guard life-jacket wear and care guidance.

• U.S. Coast Guard: Life Jacket Wear ↗
• U.S. Coast Guard: Cleaning and Storing Your PFD ↗

The image here is an illustration made for this archive. The original Reel and its credited media are on Facebook.

Happy Saturday, Lakes Area. Detroit Lakes in the 1980s was a town of 7,106 with a summer identity that already felt much bigger. Real 1980 Library of Congress photos show Fairyland Cottages along West Lake Lane. Zorbaz had already become part of the City Beach routine. WE Fest arrived in 1983. Washington Square broke ground in 1985 and opened downtown in November 1986. Small town. Big summer weekends. A decade of change with the lake still at the center. What do you remember first? Comment with the Detroit Lakes place you miss most, and hit like if you want us to keep opening the local archive. Sources: U.S. Census data in the City of Detroit Lakes comprehensive plan; Library of Congress John Margolies collection; official WE Fest history; Detroit Lakes Tribune reporting on Zorbaz and Washington Square Mall.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. The 1980 Library of Congress photos in the Reel stay on Facebook.

Happy Friday, Lakes Area. Start in Detroit Lakes, then decide how far you want the night to go. Detroit Lakes: - Hardwood Groove at Long Bridge, listed at 6 PM. - Zach Thomas at Hub 41, listed at 7 PM. - Water Carnival beach show: Hairball listing around 6 PM. Widen the radius: - Elijah O'Sullivan at Sherin Park in Pelican Rapids, 5:30-7:30 PM. - FM Kicks Band at Spies Riverfront Park in Fergus Falls, 7-9 PM. - Doug Thompson near Lake Park, listed at 8 PM. Times move. Recheck venue pages before you head out. Sources: LRAC Arts Calendar, Acoustic Fargo, Shazam, Long Bridge/Facebook event listing, Visit Detroit Lakes, and Water Carnival listing cross-checks. Hit like if these local roundups help, and comment with the act you're backing this weekend.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for Friday, July 10, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Happy Wednesday, Lakes Area. Lake-owner field note for the middle of summer: if the water looks like pea soup, spilled green paint, or scummy mats along shore, pause before people or dogs go in. MPCA and MDH both say you cannot tell by looking whether a blue-green algae bloom is toxic, so the simple rule is: when in doubt, stay out. Dogs need extra caution because they swallow lake water and lick their coats after. If anyone contacts questionable water, rinse with clean water. If a pet seems sick after lake time, call a vet. This is not a specific bloom alert for any lake. It is a practical look-first habit for hosts and lake owners. Sources checked July 6: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Health harmful algal bloom guidance. If your lake association posts a useful water note this week, add it below.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. This was general guidance, not an alert for a specific lake.

Lakes Area, checking in this morning. If you are safe after last night's storm, leave a quick "we're okay" with your general area so neighbors know who has been heard from. No pressure to share damage photos. Please do not drive into affected areas to look around. Local reports say the Floyd Lake area north of Detroit Lakes saw serious damage, with crews still assessing homes, trees, power lines, and roads. The National Weather Service survey has not been completed yet, so we're keeping the wording to suspected or possible tornado for now. Stay clear of downed lines and damaged areas. If you need immediate help, call 911. If you were displaced or need shelter, local reports say M State in Detroit Lakes is being used as a shelter and response site. For updates, follow Becker County, local utilities, and NWS Grand Forks. How is everybody doing this morning?

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated check-in from July 7, 2026.

Here is the short Tuesday version for the lakes area week: Tonight: Tim Eggebraaten at Tuesdays in the Park, 6 to 7:30 PM at the Detroit Lakes City Park Bandshell. Wednesday: Cruise DL Night, 4 to 8 PM at Detroit Lakes City Park and along North Shore Drive. Friday: the 90th Northwest Water Carnival starts and runs July 10 through July 19. Saturday morning: Fly-In Drive-In Breakfast at the Detroit Lakes Airport, 8 AM to noon. Sources checked July 6: DLCCC/Historic Holmes Theatre, Visit Detroit Lakes, and Detroit Lakes Jaycees. Recheck event pages before heading out, especially for weather-related music updates. What else should be on the early-week list?

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for July 7 to 12, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Happy 4th of July weekend, Lakes Country. Comment below with what you're doing over the next few days. We've got some good music picks to start with. The trick is not finding something. It is picking the right first stop. If you're starting early: Rachael Ianiro is at Holiday Inn at 4 PM. Then the patio move: Fat Cats at Long Bridge from 6 to 10 PM. For the later crew: Zorbaz has DJ Pretty Ricky listed at 9 PM. For Saturday: 49th Parallel lists Hub 41 at 7 PM before the City Beach fireworks. Saturday anchor: Visit Detroit Lakes lists City Beach fireworks from 10 to 10:45 PM. Weather is the one thing to watch. NWS has storm chances around Friday and Saturday, so recheck official pages before you head out. Drop your weekend plan in the comments, save this if it helps, and send it to whoever is making the group thread plan. Sources: Acoustic Fargo, Long Bridge, Zorbaz, 49th Parallel, Visit Detroit Lakes, National Weather Service.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for July 3 and 4, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Happy Thursday, Lakes Area. For Fourth weekend, I would not try to do everything. Pick the part your group will actually use. Big weekend swing: America250 lists the America 250 Party at Cormorant Village at the Cormorant Community Center on County Highway 5, with Thursday night, Friday, and Saturday morning windows. Lake morning: Big Cormorant Lake Association lists the July 4 boat parade starting at 10 AM from the North Public Access, with 2 PM listed as the weather backup if the 10 AM start is delayed. Classic finish: Visit Detroit Lakes lists City Beach fireworks Saturday night from 10 to 10:45 PM. Quiet reset: Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge lists the visitor center Sunday noon to 4. If this helped, like it so we know to keep making these, and save it for the group text. Recheck official pages before you go.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook. A dated plan for the July 4 weekend, 2026; details were current when it was shared.

Happy Wednesday, Lakes Area. One lake-home field note before the weekend gets loud: Walk the swim area before the first jump. Check the dock ladder, ropes, shallow edge, and whatever wind or kids moved since the last swim. Make life jackets easy to find, not just technically nearby. Right size, right spot, no digging through a bin while people are waiting. If a boat or gear is moving between lakes, keep the habit simple: clean, drain, dispose. Save this if you host at the lake. If your family has one small rule that keeps the day smoother, add it below. Those are usually the notes worth keeping. Sources: Minnesota DNR life-jacket guidance, Minnesota DNR Clean/Drain/Dispose guidance, and Minnesota Department of Health recreational water guidance.

This image is a still from the published Reel. The Reel's narration and music stay on Facebook.