For more information, contact
Kathi Nagorski Leary, Communications Director
Brainerd Lakes Chamber
(218) 822-7128
knagorski@explorebrainerdlakes.com
Paul Bunyan knows your name
Brainerd amusement park has been landmark for more than 60 years
BRAINERD LAKES — For more than 60 years, a 26-foot tall talking and animated Paul
Bunyan has been greeting youngsters by name in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
This Paul Bunyan – with a boot size of 80, a 12-foot long belt, and a weighty 500-pound
ax – is a keystone attraction at Paul Bunyan Land and This Old Farm Pioneer Village
east of Brainerd. Paul has a tradition of saying hello by name to all children who visit
him.
The amusement park, open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, offers a variety
of rides as well as more than 30 pioneer buildings, ranging from blacksmith shop to
schoolhouse as well as antique farm equipment. The park also is open for special
events every fall and winter, including the fall Hidden Hollows and the holiday
Enchanted Pioneer Village.
The business now is operated by siblings Lois Moon and Alan Rademacher at their
property on Highway 18 six miles east of Brainerd. The Rademacher family purchased
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, more than a decade ago, to add to their This Old
Farm Pioneer Village business. They purchased the iconic up north folklore figures from
Don McFarland, who operated Paul Bunyan Amusement Center in Baxter near the
Highways 210 and 371 intersection, for more than four decades.
For more information about the rich history of Paul Bunyan Land, contact Moon or
Rademacher at 218-764-2524.
About 2014 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener
The 2014 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener will be hosted by Gov. Mark Dayton
and Brainerd Lakes Chamber, with Grand View Lodge as headquarters for the event.
The event is being coordinated by Explore Minnesota Tourism, in partnership with the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The 67th annual Minnesota Governor’s
Fishing Opener will spotlight fishing and the many recreational and travel opportunities
in the Brainerd Lakes Area. More information can be found at
www.mngovernorsopener.com, or via social media, using #GFO2014.