RYAN BAKKEN: N.D. has much to offer without Mount Rushmore

A recent AAA Travel ad portrays Mt. Rushmore as being in North Dakota.

Oops.

South Dakotans likely are not happy about this development, given the stone presidents are their biggest tourist attraction.

But Chuck Haga, fellow Herald curmudgeon and my newsroom cubicle next-door neighbor, suggests North Dakotan has more to offer. As he astutely put it: "If you want chiseled faces, go to South Dakota. If you want warmth, come to North Dakota."

Not literal warmth, mind you. But comfy warmth, as in the fun and entertainment on a smaller stage.

Consider the recent release from Sara Otte Coleman, North Dakota's tourism director, about the state's entertainment options for the next two weeks alone. Following are 10 options:

• "Les Miserables," Bismarck, July 13-19: No, the musical production is not about our winters. Nor does it have Hugh Jackman in the lead role of Jean Valjean, as on the big screen. But it has a full orchestra and is performed under the stars at Sleepy Hollow Arts Park. Sounds comfy, doesn't it?

• Village Fair and Rhubarb Festival, Rugby, July 16: I've become a rhubarb convert, thanks to University Lutheran's annual Rhubarb Festival. Who knew you could make something that sour taste that sweet? The University Lutheran church ladies knew and so do the bakers in Rugby.

• Drayton Riverfest, July 18-21: The celebration includes Supper at the Soddy, which is an olden days sod-roof house. Please note that it's an outdoor cookout, because Supper Inside the Soddy would get mighty warm and mighty cramped.

• Fargo Downtown Street Fair, July 18-20: Since its population recently exceeded 100,000, some snooty Fargoans have taken to calling itself the Metro. I've been to its street fair; it's quite impressive. But does a street fair lose its charm once it's held in a Metro? Find out for yourself.

• 38th annual Governor's Cup Walleye Derby, Garrison, July 19-20: It's no Catfish Days, but what is?

• McVille Days, July 19-21: McVille's name comes from having a lot of settlers whose names started with "Mc." The tradition lives on, as one celebration event is the McBake Off. McYummy.

• Vinnie's Mud Bog, Lidgerwood, July 19-21: Big kids, rather than little kids, play in the mud with their big trucks. Mayhem ensues.

• Paddle Tolna Coulee, Tolna, July 26-27: Ride the rapids created by an outlet designed to lower the level of the expansive Devils Lake. Who knew that Devils Lake would offer canoeing?

• Halloween in July, Bottineau, July 26-28: It's exactly what the name says. It's just the thing for the Halloween crazies who can't wait another three months for the real deal.

• Blues on the Red, Grand Forks, July 27: The blues music festival includes a group with one of the best names of all times. The band is called Dirty D and the Derelicts.

All 10 options look more enticing than taking photographs of four deceased presidents with stone faces, images that already are available on postcards.

Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 1125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .