As I finished exploring the interior of the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor Center (which you can read about here), I ventured outside and came across this fun exhibit: “The Fargo Walk Of Fame”. Here you will find immortalized in cement more than 110 celebrity signatures, handprints and footprints of stars who have visited Fargo-Moorhead.
Founded in 1989 by Fargo printer Mike Stevens, “The Fargo Walk Of Fame” was originally located on the city sidewalks of Mike’s print shop (Express Press) in downtown Fargo. It was moved to the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor Center in the summer of 2000. Mike privately funded all expenses for the first 95 celebrities, as he felt it was a small way he could repay a community which has been so kind to him. Let’s stroll along “The Fargo Walk Of Fame” and check out some of the celebrities who have left their mark.
Steve Allen,
Def Leppard,
Paul Harvey,
Toby Keith,
Meadowlark Lemon,
The Great Wallendas,
The Monkees,
Stevie Ray Vaughan,
and these are just a few. “The Fargo Walk Of Fame” also contains the names of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Metallica, Garth Brooks, Neil Diamond, KISS, Maury Wills, Debbie Reynolds, Jesse Ventura, Richard Simmons, Bill Gates, Alice Cooper, and many more. I very much enjoyed my stroll along “The Fargo Walk Of Fame”, and as I was heading towards my car, my eyes came across this colorful sight…
this painted bison which is one of many in a public works art collection dispersed throughout the Fargo-Moorhead community that is part of the local art project called “Herd About The Prairie: A Virtual Art Stampede” and was initiated by the Lake Agassiz Arts Council back in 2005. Herd About The Prairie: A Virtual Art Stampede resulted in 39 full-size bison and 1 calf that were all created in a minimum 90-day timeframe by different local artists that were selected by a jury. There were also 10 tabletop bison that were created as an option for those that didn’t have the money (or space) to spend on a full-size bison. Of these 100lb fiberglass statues, any which were not kept by their sponsors were then allowed to be purchased via a public auction. All proceeds from the auction went back to the Lake Agassiz Art Council to continue doing creative work within the Fargo-Moorhead community and support the artists and art organizations that make up their association. Where can you find all of these gems, you ask? With some in other parts of ND/MN region, there are approximately 20 of these beauties that can be easily found in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Please note that these bison are well-tempered and enjoy being photographed.
It was time to leave this fun, interesting, and unique visitor center. If you ever find yourself in the Fargo-Moorhead area, take some time to explore the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor Center. I hope you will enjoy your visit as much as I enjoyed mine.
Some beautiful street art in there Ottoman !
Outside in the sunshine and open to touch.
Living Art.