MANKATO — The Mankato area is rich with entertainment options. Take a look at The Free Press entertainment calendar on a Thursday, and the options for activities are plentiful.
Just about every night there’s a local band performing. Pool and darts are always an option at your favorite hangout. The Verizon Wireless Center provides varied entertainment, from Disney Live! to Minnesota State men’s hockey.
If you’re more of an outdoors kind of person, we’ve got tons of trails to walk or bike on. We’ve also got lakes to fish and swim in.
Big winners in this category are Buster’s Bar for Best Bar for Darts/Pool with 32 percent of the votes. Blue Bricks came in second with 20 percent.
It seems Lake Washington is the clear favorite for Best Lake to Play or Fish, with a whopping 47 percent of the votes.
Best Bar for Darts/Pool
First place: Buster’s Bar
Second place: Blue Bricks
Third place: Pub 500
Honorable mention: South Street Saloon, Boomtown, Eagles Nest
Best Bicycling Trail
First place: Red Jacket Trail
Second place: Sakatah Singing Hills Trail
Third place: Minnesota River Trail
Honorable mention: Mt. Kato
Best Free Press Columnist
First place: Brian Ojanpa
Second place: Amanda Dyslin
Third place: John Cross
Honorable mention: Tim Krohn, Shane Frederick, Robb Murray
Best Lake to Play or Fish
First place: Lake Washington
Second place: Madison Lake
Third place: Lake Francis
Honorable mention: Duck Lake, Lake Jefferson
Best Local Radio Personality
First place: “Fat Kid,” formerly of 95.7 The Blaze
Second place: Pete Steiner KTOE,
Third place: Mike McKenna, Three Eagles Communications
Honorable mention: Lisa (Kaye) New Country, TJ, New Country, Spence, 95.7 The Blaze
Best Local Music Group
First place: Hairball
Second place: 69 Cents
Third place: City Mouse
Honorable mention: Murphy Brothers Band, Home Free, Fish Frye
Best Place to See the Show
First place: Carmike Stadium Cinema 6
Second place: Cinemark Movies 8 River Hills Mall
Third place: Maverick 4 Theatres
Honorable mention: Cinemagic St. Peter
Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors
First place: Schell’s Brewery/Museum in New Ulm
Second place: Minneopa Falls
Third place: Downtown Bar District
Honorable mention: Maverick hockey games, Morgan Creek Vineyard/Winery, Mankato MoonDogs
Best Walking/ Hiking Trail
First place: Seven Mile Creek Park
Second place: Red Jacket Trail
Third Place: Sakatah Singing Hills Trail
Honorable mention: Rasmussen Woods Park, Minnesota River Trail
