Thank you, friends, for watching and working for North Dakota Today. It was a beautifully foggy October morning to talk about how the community of Mandan is bringing warmth in dark times, and an awesome way to celebrate fall on Saturday in Hoople. AND speaking of Hoople, I completely lost my ability to process questions during my segment and was 100% wrong as to where Hoople is located. It’s an hour north of Grand Forks! Golly. I’m sorry to all Hooplers.

As promised, the poster for Tater Town Day is below. Here is a little bit about Hoople from their Beautification Committee:

We’re always excited for an opportunity to bring people from Hoople and the surrounding communities together. There are so many great community festivals throughout the summer, but we wanted to create something that celebrates fall in rural North Dakota. Tater Town Day is an opportunity to celebrate the end of another harvest season, reconnect with neighbors, welcome new faces, and enjoy everything that makes small-town life special.

Hoople is the kind of community where kids still ride their bikes around town looking for their next adventure, neighbors gather around backyard bonfires, and people genuinely look out for one another. There’s a real sense of community here, and a shared investment in the future of our town. But one thing I think might surprise people is just how young Hoople is. Our community has a median age of just 26. We’re a small town, but we’re also a young, vibrant community with families, businesses, and residents who are excited about its future. There’s a lot of energy and pride here, and Tater Town Day is one of the best opportunities we have to share that with people who might not otherwise have a reason to visit.

In prior years, Tater Town Day has been organized entirely by the Hoople Beautification Committee. As the event has continued to grow, we’ve recognized the need to bring more people into the planning process. This year, we formed a steering committee made up of community leaders, local business owners, and volunteers, and it has been such a wonderful experience to see everyone come together with a shared vision for this event. I’m incredibly grateful for the time, energy, and creativity that so many people have contributed to making this year’s Tater Town Day possible. It’s truly been a community-wide effort, and I think that speaks volumes about the people who call Hoople home. So, hop to Hoople on October 17! Come enjoy the festivities, meet some of the people who make this community special, and see for yourself what our little town has to offer!

I hope you enjoy this week’s North Dakota Today segment, which you can watch by clicking below. Have a great week!