Voices of the Valley events are held on Saturdays from 11:00am-2:00pm at Welch Station access, midway on the Cannon Valley Trail between Cannon Falls and Red Wing. This location can be accessed by biking or driving, so feel free to bring lawn chairs and come to listen to the music or have a picnic at the rest area. Upcoming Voices of the Valley events this summer are listed below.
Voices of the Valley is a Cannon Valley Trail program designed to assist a visitor’s exploration and enjoyment of the Cannon River Valley.
- Topics include – Archeology, Geology, Native American Studies, Railroad History, Tree Talk, Wildflowers, or other Natural and Cultural programs.
- Local musicians share their talents.
- Programs take place on Saturdays during the months of May through September from 11am-2 pm at Cannon Valley Trail Welch Station Access.
- Please note throughout the season some Voices of the Valley programs may be cancelled/rescheduled due to inclement weather.
- Want to share your talents or knowledge with Voices of the Valley? We’re looking for people to participate by sharing their expertise in cultural or natural resources, or by showcasing a special talent. If you’re interested, contact Brenda at cvtvoicesofvalley@gmail.com or call the trail office at 507-263-0508.
All events are weather permitting. For more info on Voices of the Valley events throughout the summer, or if you have information or talents you’d like to share, visit the Cannon Valley Trail website at cannonvalleytrail.com/voices-of-the-valley or email cvtvoicesofvalley@gmail.com.
Summer 2026 Voices of the Valley Schedule will be posted here! Check back!
August 1 – Cookies on the Trail; Naturalist Display by Mn DNR Scenic & Natural Areas
- – Rescheduled to Aug 8 – Dan Schwan & Lora Bremer will entertain you with their accordion and banjolele.
- Red Wing Chamber of Commerce will be providing Cookies on the Trail in conjuction with Red Wings River City Days. (while supply lasts) https://www.redwingchamber.com/events
- MN DNR Scenic & Natural Areas will host a Naturalist Display Table
August 8 – Live Music – Dan Schwan & Lora Bremer; Dakota County Parks information table
Dan Schwan & Lora Bremer will entertain you with their accordion and banjolele.
August 15- Live Music – Cannon Falls Ensemble; MN DNR Naturalist Booth
The Cannon Valley Ensemble is made up of people who love to make instrumental music together. The Ensemble began in 2019 as a way to continue playing music all year round when the Cannon Falls Community Band’s summer season was over. The Ensemble practices once a week at the Cannon Falls Senior Center on Wednesdays at 1 pm and is open to others who may be interested in joining.
August 22 – Live Music – Ryan Cihlar;( rescheduled from August 8)
- Ryan Charles Cihlar takes his audiences all over the world; a quiet cafe in Paris, a lively wurst hall in Germany, a breezy Italian beach. Playing everything from classic European music to Midwestern folk; and singing everything from Dean Martin to Tears For Fears, Ryan will transport you to a different country- or decade- as he breathes new life into beloved classics on his 1950’s Excelsior accordion. Ryan can be found playing shows throughout the Midwest including the Twin Cities, the Minnesota North Shore, and in his beautiful home state of Wisconsin. ryancharlescihlar.com
August 29 – Live Music – InTandem
An acoustic duo from the Cannon Valley performing a variety of folk, blues, roots, and Americana standards with vocal harmonies on guitars, mandolin, banjo, and ukuleles.
Brenda Owens (Cannon Falls) and Lee Mensinger (Red Wing) have been performing for years in the Cannon Falls and Red Wing areas and have played many times on the bike trail in Welch, as well as at the Red Wing Art Fair, Hobgoblin, Sargent’s Nursery in Red Wing, and at Ferndale Market and the Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls.
September 5 – Live Music – Mill Run Band; Cannon Belle cheese samples
Mill Run is a local band from Cannon Falls that has performed at several events this summer around town. The group plays a variety of country favorites as well as original tunes written by the band members.
September 12 – Live Music – Patty & the Reeds
The Cannon Valley Trail Voices of the Valley welcomes back the Irish trio: Patti & the Reeds. Seasoned musicians Patti Drew of Rosemount, Reed Henderson of Northfield, and John Reed of Red Wing will perform newer and traditional Celtic music on fiddle, guitar, flute, whistle, accordion, and bousouki.
September 19 – Live Music – Ed Freitag
Ed will entertain you with his guitar and vocals.
