LOCAL BRIEFS

LITTLE FALLS - The Grand Parade at the Dodge PRCA Rodeo in Little Falls will feature special guests Gov. Al Quie, Pop Wagner and Rob Orr.

To celebrate the release of "Riding into the Sunrise: Al Quie - A Life of Faith, Service and Civility," a biography written by Mitch Pearlstein, founder and president of The Center of the American Experiment, Quie will make a special book signing appearance from noon until 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Pop Wagner will lead the Star Spangled Banner during the parade.

Rob Orr of the Community Animal Hospital in Little Falls is the official veterinarian of the second annual Lakes Region Horse Fest.

The 2008 Lakes Region Horse Fest is set for Saturday and Sunday and opens at 10 a.m. each day with the Dodge PRCA Rodeo at 2 p.m. each day.

The Lakes Region Horse Fest also includes entertainment, a trade show, seminars, demonstrations and a parade of horses.

For more information, visit www.lakesregionhorsefest.com.

Brainerd airport receives FAA grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A federal grant will help the Brainerd Lake Regional Airport repair and rehabilitate its runway. Congressman Jim Oberstar announced the airport will receive a grant of $1,087,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration.

"Brainerd's airport plays an important role in attracting new economic growth to the region. It is important to continue investing in this vital piece of transportation infrastructure," said Oberstar.

This is the third grant award the FAA has made to the Brainerd airport this year, bringing the total to $2.8 million. Earlier grants were designated for snow removal equipment, runway and taxiway repair and improvements to the terminal building.

Community picnic planned for Sunday

The Daggett Brook 4-H Club will have its community picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Daggett Brook Town Hall off of Highway 25 South. Watch for signs.

2008 United Way Chili Cook-Off planned

The United Way's Chili Cook-Off will be Sept. 24 at Westgate Mall in Baxter. The Chili Cook-Off is a community event to kick off United Way's campaign season.

Doors open to the public at 11:30 a.m. For $5 participants can buy a ballot to sample more than 50 chilis and cast their vote for the community choice winner. This year's community choice winner will share the recipe for the Community Homecoming Celebration Chili Feed at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Washington Educational Services Building.

VFW breakfast planned

The Brainerd VFW will serve breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Cost: $5. Everyone welcome.