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Shirley’s Park hosts metro folk-rock artist, Wildflowers on Labor Day

Submitted photo Shirley’s Park and Country Retreat on the east side of Clear Lake just south of New Ulm and CR 25 hosts its second annual fall festival from 2 to 7 p.m. on Labor Day. The free event includes music from The Wildflowers and national recording folk-rock artist Tony Cuchetti of Minneapolis.

NEW ULM — Area Labor Day entertainment gets a boost this year with two live bands, food, beverages, a pumpkin sale and more at Shirley’s Park Fall Festival at Clear Lake.

Scheduled from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday, the festival features “The Wildflowers” and their three-part harmony, acoustic guitar, cajon (box drum), banjo, and cello music of Andrea Lyn, Sarah Frahm, and Danielle Deopere. There is no admission charge but a suggested donation is $5 per adult.

National recording folk-rock artist Tony Cuchetti of Minneapolis will also perform. Minnesota State Fair-goers may recall Cuchetti performing there.

Cuchetti said music has been therapeutic for him, a way to express his thoughts, emotions and idea. He hopes others than do the same thing.

“I’ve been able to move through some very difficult times in my life by just sitting down and writing my thoughts out in songs,” Cuchetti said. “Then, to top it all off, when I look out at an audience and know they are totally connected to me in that feeling and moment, it becomes such an intimate experience, it sometimes brings me to tears.”

Cuchetti said he gets that “falling in love for the first time feeling every time I perform.”

Shirley’s Park and Country Retreat owner Brian Domeier recently restored the property at the old Lost dog & Fox Hunter’s Park on Clear Lake. He named the park after his late mother Shirley, whom he said inspired him to host the fall festival last September.

Domeier said he bought the property in January 2019 because of his fond memories of it growing up and he wanted to recreate it for the community.

“Decades ago, there were big birthday parties and groups had picnics here,” Domeier said. “My family and friends helped me clean it up and rebuild it. It makes me feel good. It’s a joy to see people enjoying this place again.”

The festival features home-grown vegetables and barbecued burgers and brats. Last September, Dain’s Dutchmen and Andrea Lyn provided live music.

The 27-acre park five miles southwest of New Ulm includes a seasonal campground with hook-ups, kayaks for rent, fishing access with a 100-foot dock, serene lake views, picnic areas including a shelter, trails and a clean, sandy beach.

Monday’s weather sounds favorable too with sunshine and a high of 79 degrees.

For more information, visit Shirley’s Park & Country Retreat on Facebook.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nu

journal.com).

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