Perfect Duluth Day - Duluth, MN Events, News, Blog

High spots from West Duluth Day at the 1926 Winter Frolic

Paul Lundgren Feb 11, 2026 No Comments

Oh, those frolicsome West Duluthians. The Feb. 11, 1926 Duluth Herald offers a slew of photos from West Duluth Day of the annual Duluth Winter Frolic. The neighborhood programming ran from 1 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 10, but Winter Frolic events were not exclusive to West Duluth that day. Other happenings included “stunts” in the downtown streets, hockey games at the Amphitheater and Curling Club, an ice carnival at the Curling club, and the Frolic Ball of the College Women’s Club at the Duluth Armory.

Read More


History , ,

Duluth Book Releases in 2026

Paul Lundgren Feb 10, 2026 1 Comment

Presenting Perfect Duluth Day’s annual rundown of books by Duluth-area writers and/or about Duluth-area topics that are new to bookstores and e-commerce sites. It’s early in the year, so this list will grow as 2025 continues.

Read More


Random ,

Great Lakes Shipping 2025 Highlight Reel

PDDTV Feb 09, 2026 No Comments

The drama. The action. The suspense. Yes, it’s a Great Lakes shipping highlight reel, featuring 2025 scenes from Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors, Silver Bay and Marquette.


Videos ,

Ektachrome Postcard from the Aerial Lift Bridge

Paul Lundgren Feb 08, 2026 No Comments

This undated postcard, perhaps circa the 1960s, offers a view of the Aerial Lift Bridge from across the Duluth Harbor. The card was published by the H.C. Wick Company and features an Ektachrome photo by Rod Peterson.

Read More


History , , ,

Ian Alexy – “Don’t Hesitate”

PDDTV Feb 06, 2026 No Comments

Duluth’s Ian Alexy nabs footage from the century-old film Don Juan for his latest music video. The track “Don’t Hesitate” is on Alexy’s new album The Tao of Ian.


Music, Videos

Mining and Smelting Iron of Minnesota’s Mesabi Range in 1926

PDDTV Feb 05, 2026 No Comments

If this footage looks familiar, it might be because Perfect Duluth Day previously featured a condensed version of this film. The 16mm Time Machine YouTube channel offers the version above, which has an additional four minutes of content.

Read More


History , ,

Making it Up North: Misisipi Mike Wolf

PDDTV Feb 04, 2026 No Comments

Musician and poster artist Misisipi Mike Wolf shares the story of the journey that took him from the music-filled porches of the Gulf Coast to the creative community of Duluth.

Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.


Music, Videos ,

Rich Mattson and the Northstars – “Rendezvous With a Star”

PDDTV Feb 03, 2026 No Comments

The latest from Rich Mattson and the Northstars, “Rendezvous With a Star,” is from the band’s album Wake Up Songs, due out later this month.


Music, Videos

Austin Castle – “Something Real” (The Lagom Session)

PDDTV Feb 02, 2026 No Comments

Austin Castle and friends perform “Something Real” at Lagom Builders Supply in Duluth. Castle released a new album, Timeless, in January.


Music, Videos

Harbor City named an ESEA Distinguished School

David Beard Feb 02, 2026 No Comments

I’ve seen two (kind-of) stepchildren attend Harbor City. The school makes good things happen on a tiny budget. It is celebrating recognition as an ESEA Distinguished School.

Read More


Random

Duluth Deep Dive #13: Henry C. Richardson, Civil Rights Pioneer

Matthew James Feb 01, 2026 No Comments

A Black man, left, crosses Superior Street circa 1908. (Source: Library of Congress)

In 1904, more than 50 years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, Henry Richardson fought against the common practice in Duluth restaurants to refuse service to people of color. When a waitress at a Superior Street restaurant would not take his order, he took the restaurant owner to court. This Duluth Deep Dive recounts the events and their aftermath.

Read More


History ,

Skating the big lake

Jim Richardson (aka Lake Superior Aquaman) Jan 31, 2026 No Comments

I saw ice houses out there so I got my skates.


Outdoors, Videos ,

Dopey tune on a junky guitar

Brian Barber Jan 31, 2026 No Comments

I’ve become an old man who putters around in the garage. Or the basement — the garage is really cold right now. I built a guitar out of garage stuff.


Art, Music, Videos , ,

Poem: Your Town

PDDTV Jan 30, 2026 No Comments

Random

Making it Up North: Northern Waters Smokehaus

PDDTV Jan 29, 2026 No Comments

Northern Waters Smokehaus founder Eric Goerdt shares the journey of turning a lifelong passion for food preservation into a cornerstone of the Duluth community. From the early days of an “honor system” cooler and a coffee can for cash to employing more than 75 people today, Goerdt discusses his obsession with detail, his “northern spin” on the traditional deli, and why sustaining people is just as important as sustaining the land.

Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.


Restaurants, Videos , ,