Whether it be in River Falls or Hammond, it might be worth getting in the car and driving for a few-songs-worth to take in these events this weekend or next around the area:

– Its time again soon for that two-day fall festival in River Falls that celebrates all things bacon, pig-themed activities for the entire family, live music, merchandise from local artists, vendors who make forays into finding all kinds of ways to use this favorite meat, micro-brews that wash down the meat, and more. Come to this year’s Bacon Bash and sample bacon-inspired dishes that are dished out by local restaurants and food vendors. Then cast your vote for the People’s Choice Winner, who may go on to the national or even world food competitions, as the RF event has gained the hard-to-come-by status as a “super” qualifier elite event.

The third annual Bacon Bash that was held last September was called a “porktacular” success with more than 16,000 attendees, much bigger than the entire town. The sponsors invite you to join them again Sept. 17-18, 2016 as they continue to celebrate America’s favorite fried meat.
This year the event will get a kick-off by conducting a drop off rooftops — dubbed “When Pigs Fly” and featuring stuffed plush pigs flung from a couple of stories up to the street below. That event will reoccur throughout the weekend.
As far as the music on Saturday, its actually the Sunday’s Regret band from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The Gentlemen’s Anti-Temperance League from 1:30-4:30 p.m., Kyle Koliha from 5-8 p.m.
Playing Sunday are Wade and Ella from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Everett Smithson from 1:30-4 p.m.
Throughout the event can be found local craft beer and wine, a Kids Activity Area and a Car and “Hog” Cruze-In (Sunday only). For most all of these activities, there is free admission to the public.
Another highlight is courtesy of the Belle Vinez Winery, called Comedy & Corks, with music by the Chris Silver Band and comedy by Todd Andrews. Advance tickets for $25 are available at Belle Vinez Winery, Riverwalk Square and the Chamber of Commerce office. The event again is held at 5 p.m. Friday.
– The River Falls Community Arts Base (CAB) will present its 21st “Art on the Kinni,” an annual fair on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River just behind downtown River Falls — always on the weekend after Labor Day, and in this case going all-day Saturday, Sept. 10, until 5 p.m. Art on the Kinni (AOK for short) features some 70 juried artists and at least 10 musical events, so if you like variety this might be for you. And there is an art tent for the kids, the “Budding Artists’ Bridge,” featuring students/artists just beginning their arts careers, and lots of food choices.
– The 20th annual Running of the Llamas parade and festival — use your imagination — will be in Hammond on Saturday, Sept. 10. Just know that dogs aren’t allowed, but llama art is and can be purchased. The event goes from 11 a.m. until at least 7 p.m., when those tired llamas can finally call it a day. The parade is at 2:30 p.m. and the run itself at 3 p.m.

There is a whole lotta music for a little or no loot this weekend:
– Traditional, classic country music is said to be alive and well, and you can check out The Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday night, Sept. 9, to see and hear for yourself. With their name taken from the 1971 Lefty Frizzell song, and looking the part, The Honky-Tonk Stardust Cowboys note that they do indeed, “play the country tunes of bygone days.” The band is one of the few in central Minnesota performing this throwback form of country music in the spirit and sound of the original recordings. Their song list includes classics from artists such as Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Tanya Tucker, as well as several early rock ‘n roll songs.
– Loot 66 has a partially new lineup, as vocalist and guitarist Kenny has come over in recent times from a band that’s Italian-themed — as judging from their logo with a traditional-looking, acoustic guitar guy in hat and bowtie — Sir Vesa. As far as Loot themselves, their theme is more country, and they are at The Willow on Saturday night. They are relatively new both locally and to the region itself, so give them a listen.
– The Hudson Hometown Music Fest, thrown for the second straight year by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church all-day on Saturday, is one of the newest entries on the local music festival scene, and likewise many of the members hail from the Hudson area.
The seven bands steer largely toward country, from the most publicized act on the fest, Boondoggle, to the Buck Tucker Band, both of which feature some local folks. Truth & Rumors throws in an array of light classic rock and August Blues, well, the lighter side of the blues, played by a group of young and energetic Hudsonites who also toss in some bongo percussion. Trandy Blue, who often dresses like her name, is an acoustic guitar act along those same lines and, yes, including country, Melody Moments leans more toward easy listening, and JC Rock has a musically moderate Christian-based tone.
Admission to the second-annual, family friendly fest, which runs from noon to 9 p.m., is free. The church is at 502 County Road UU in Hudson. Major fest sponsors include EJ’s Pizzeria, Pitchfork Brewing, Orangeleaf frozen yogurt and Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse.
– A Comedy Night and Banquet for Life being presented by Options for Women in River Falls, and featuring guest speaker, comedian and musician Mike Williams, goes to show that comedy at a variety of venues is indeed becoming king in River Falls.
Williams is the author of “Never Stand Under a Flock of Angry Birds,” and “Turkey Soup for the Sarcastic Soul,” among others. The event is conducted by the local TLC pregnancy resource center, which offers a variety of support services, and will be held at Kilkarney Hills Golf Course, 163 Radio Road in River Falls on Sept. 13. Cost is $40 per person or for a table of ten $400.
There will be dinner, a social hour, auctions and a raffle with a grand prize that’s been hard to top in this area, entitling the winner to luxury accommodations for up to four people at a Vidanta destination for seven nights and paid ground transportation, subject to location, from the airport to the resort. This does not include food or beverages or certain extra activities or services that may be purchased at the resort. Raffle tickets are $10 or three for $20 and can be purchased up until the drawing at 9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the banquet. Proceeds go to Options For Women.
For more information, call (715) 425-8539 or optionsforwomenrf@outlook.com. Patrons also can buy tickets via that email address, or by clipping the box in an advertisement in various local shopping circulars and mailing it to 214 N. Main St., River Falls, 54022. RSVPs must be received no later than Wednesday, Sept. 7.

A Comedy Night and Banquet for Life being presented by Options for Women in River Falls, and featuring guest speaker, comedian and musician Mike Williams, goes to show that comedy at a variety of venues is indeed becoming king in River Falls.
Williams is the author of “Never Stand Under a Flock of Angry Birds,” and “Turkey Soup for the Sarcastic Soul,” among others. The event is conducted by the local TLC pregnancy resource center, which offers a variety of support services, and will be held at Kilkarney Hills Golf Course, 163 Radio Road in River Falls on Sept. 13. Cost is $40 per person or for a table of ten $400.
There will be dinner, a social hour, auctions and a raffle with a grand prize that’s been hard to top in this area, entitling the winner to luxury accommodations for up to four people at a Vidanta destination for seven nights and paid ground transportation, subject to location, from the airport to the resort. This does not include food or beverages or certain extra activities or services that may be purchased at the resort. Raffle tickets are $10 or three for $20 and can be purchased up until the drawing at 9 p.m. on Sept. 13 at the banquet. Proceeds go to Options For Women.
For more information, call (715) 425-8539 or optionsforwomenrf@outlook.com. Patrons also can buy tickets via that email address, or by clipping the box in an advertisement in various local shopping circulars and mailing it to 214 N. Main St., River Falls, 54022. RSVPs must be received no later than Wednesday, Sept. 7.

More new bands take over stages, as a labor of love, this Labor Day weekend:
– A host of music groups that are new to the Willow River Saloon, or at least haven’t played there for a
while, are on tap this month. They start with Chubs on Friday, Sept. 2, then Zachary the following night, and
the next weekend there are the Honky Tonk Cowboys on Friday and Loot 66 on Saturday.
Chubs plays the typical styles that you would see at the Willow River Saloon, plus throws in some modern rock
and even a bit of reggae in performing their first gig there. However, their mainstay style is — of course –
country, but they include a diverse blend in their song list, which has in it songs by the Black Keys, Sublime,
Bob Seger, BB King, The Commodores, Jefferson Airplane, Alice in Chains, Poison, Cheap Trick, 3 Doors Down,
Bill Withers and Melissa Ethridge. The band features Mike and Darrel on guitar and vocals, and also Rocky and
Devin.
Zackary has 29 songs that they’ve recorded highlighted on an online site. The Cottage Grove country musician,
back at The Willow for the first time since spring, on behalf of his band has written and recorded hundreds of
songs, penning some on the highway. In recent times has delved into a totally unrelated genre while a sideman
with another group, so look for many differing styles that aren’t in the same classification.
Back last month, there was a newly appearing band that was more in the traditional Willow River Saloon style.
Dusty and the Dirt Road Band, as you might guess from the name, was called straight-forward country by a couple
of staff members, and look to see them again soon.
– Singer and guitarist Garret Farber said he gave me a by-name shoutout, when seeing me across the street,
between songs when he was a late fill-in at the Smilin’ Moose for a solo acoustic patio gig. He also is on to
play, as part of the regularly scheduled lineup on Friday, followed by Brian Ott on Saturday. Both shows run
from 5-8 p.m.
– There will be Coco’s heart dog rescue fundraiser from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Kozy Korner in North
Hudson and the sign had said earlier in the week, “bring your puppies.” Is that a literal invitation to make
this a pooch powwow?
– Lava Java, a locally grown coffee drink infused with “stout” liquor, is being sold at the Village Inn in
North Hudson, and makes me hearken back to days of my youth when I’d infuriate family members while playing
Scrabble by making the word “aa,” which the dictionary says, referring back to the first part of this sentence,
is a type of again, lava. Would that make this a class AA drink?