While recently visiting the Fargo-Moorhead area, I drove by an interesting looking building. Upon closer inspection I noticed that this eye catching building (built in 1993 and modeled after the old fashioned grain elevators which used to grace the prairie landscape) was a visitor center.
Although I am quite familiar with the Fargo-Moorhead area and really didn’t need any maps or travel brochures, I thought this engaging building deserved a closer look, so I pulled off the freeway and headed towards the visitor center. As I entered the building I appreciated how spacious, clean, and comfortable the visitor center was. As I glanced from right to left, I saw many shelves filled with travel brochures, magazines, and maps. Then I noticed a gift shop and a counter staffed with friendly personnel answering visitors questions.
Then I noticed a woodchipper… yes you read that correctly…a woodchipper. It took my travel weary brain a few seconds to process this information…a woodchipper… in the Fargo-Moorhead VisitorCenter… woodchipper…Fargo… WOW I thought to myself…this is the woodchipper from the movie “Fargo”, and then I said out loud…”Now that’s cool.”
What can I say…I’m a sucker for movie memorabilia, and I did enjoy the movie “Fargo”, although it’s been years since I’ve seen it. I then noticed that one entire corner of the visitor center is dedicated to the movie “Fargo”.
Now for those of you who may not be familiar with the movie “Fargo”, it was released in 1996, won two oscars: Best Actress in a Leading Role – Frances McDormand, and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – Ethan Coen and Joel Coen . It was also nominated for five other Academy Awards: Best Picture – Ethan Coen, Best Actor in a Supporting Role – William H. Macy, Best Director – Joel Coen, Best Cinematography – Roger Deakins, and Best Film Editing – Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. In total, “Fargo” has won 73 various film awards and earned 52 award nominations.
The woodchipper segment of the film is not just the most memorable scene from the movie “Fargo”, but perhaps in cinematic history. Since this is a family website, I won’t divulge any details, and for those of you who have not seen the movie, I won’t drop any spoilers, but looking at the pictures below will probably give you some idea of how the woodchipper was involved in the movie.
The woodchipper has also been signed by the Coen brothers.
Other “Fargo” movie memorabilia included an autographed copy of the original screenplay,
and various photos of the cast and crew.
Although most of the movie “Fargo” was not actually filmed directly in Fargo itself, film locations were relatively close to the city of Fargo, including Grand Forks, North Dakota, Brainerd, Minnesota, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
After I had gotten my fill from all this movie memorabilia, I looked at my watch and realized I had spent quite a bit of time inside the visitor center. I very much enjoyed this fun display, and I was grateful that no visitors or staff commented on avoiding eye contact with the strange guy hanging out in the “Fargo” exhibit.
It was now time to leave this very nice visitor center and venture out on to it’s grounds. Once again, I came across a most unexpected and fun discovery. But, this story will have to wait until my next Picture Of The Day Post on Thursday, August 25, 2016. I hope you check it out.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go watch “Fargo” again.
I like a city that embraces its roll in dark comedy!