Side roads: Red Bridge Film Festival

By Colleen A. Coles, Star Tribune

Last update: March 28, 2008 - 3:45 PM

Red Bridge Film Festival

Park Rapids, Minn.

The films "Bucharest Express," "Savages," "The Kite Runner," "The Corporation" and "Grease" will be featured at the Red Bridge Film Festival April 11-13 in Park Rapids, Minn. The festival includes an opening bash at 5 p.m. Friday at the Red Bridge Inn with a filmmaker and panel discussion. On Saturday, "Grease" will be screened at 2 p.m. followed by a '50s-style party at the MinneSoda Fountain. The festival also includes short films by local high school students and "Elevator Series" by a Moorhead State University film student. Tickets are $6 or $25 for a five-ticket movie packet including a free ticket to the award-winning film "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou." (1-218-732-3461). What a catch, 'cakes and fish

Chatfield, Minn.

It may seem like it just keeps snowing, but April is just a few days away and so is trout-fishing season. Anglers will compete for prizes April 12 during the 24th annual Trout Classic in Chatfield, Minn. Events begin at 6 a.m. at the Fire Hall with a pancake breakfast and a fishing contest. The breakfast ends at 8 a.m., and the cost is $4, $1 for preschoolers. The fishing final weigh-in will be at 1 p.m. Entry fees are $10 for adults and $1 for ages 12 and under (1-507-867-3923; www.ci.chatfield. mn.us).

Wolf River anglers compete

New London, Wis.

More fishing will be on tap during the Big Whopper Fishing Contest April 11-13 in New London, Wis. Folks will test the waters of the Wolf River for walleyes, northerns and black bass. This year's grand prize is a 2008 Polaris ATV. Other prizes will also be awarded. The event continues with live entertainment, a raffle and more at Riverside Park (1-920-779-6346).

Healthful Earth Day

St. Cloud, Minn.

It's more than a run, it's a weekend of family fun planned for the Earth Day Half Marathon Festival April 18-19 at St. Cloud State University. Participants can compete in the half-marathon, 5K Pasta Run and the 1K Junior Run. The festival also includes a Health Expo, pasta feed and children's activities (1-320-308-3325; www.earthdayhalfmarathon.org).