About Worthington

Attractions

Content provided by the Worthington Chamber of Commerce.

Pioneer Village

Pioneer Village

The village contains 38 restored buildings plus a museum of farm machinery reflecting the early years of Nobles County. Located adjacent to the Nobles County fairgrounds, the Village is open weekdays and Sundays, May through September, other times by appointment. Telephone 507-376-3125.

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Nobles County Art Center

12 annual shows are scheduled throughout the year, and the Art Center has a permanent collection on display. The Art Center is sponsor of Art in the Courtyard, an annual showcase for local and regional artisans, held the first Saturday in August. Art Center hours are 2-4:30 p.m. weekdays and the first Tuesday of the month from 7-9 p.m. Tours may be arranged at other times. Telephone 507-372-8245.

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War Memorial Auditorium—Performing Arts Center

Constructed in 1931 in the classic Art Deco style, the renovated and newly restored building is one of the largest auditorium facilities in a wide region of southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa. Memorial Auditorium is a 741-seat performance center owned and operated by the City of Worthington. The large proscenium stage features state-of-the-art lighting and sound. Telephone 507-372-4714 or 507-376-9101.

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Dayton House

Located at 1311 Fourth Ave. in Worthington, the Dayton house was built in 1890 as a residence for the George Draper Dayton family by respected Sioux Falls, SD, architect Wallace Dow. George Dayton was a banker and a real estate developer in Worthington before moving to Minneapolis shortly after 1900 to Start Dayton’s Department Store. The Dayton house served as a family home for many years, and was later used as a nursing home.

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Nobles County Historical Museum

Nobles County Historical Museum

The museum features many historical displays and archives which preserve the early days of European settlement in Nobles County. Located in the Nobles County Library and Information center, Worthington, it is open Monday through Friday from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

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Annual Events

You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that the community of Worthington knows how to throw one fine party. Well, many fine parties for that matter! Here’s a taste of annual events you can be a part of in Worthington.

King Turkey Days

King Turkey Days

Years of Turkey Tomfoolery

Getting its start in 1939, Worthington’s King Turkey Days began as a community celebration themed around the large turkey processing operations in Worthington and its surrounding areas. At that place in time, it was said there was no place on earth where more turkeys were processed each year.

Turkeys have continued since then to be celebrated every autumn in Worthington without a hitch, up to present day. Cuero, Texas, who also has an annual turkey celebration, was brought into the mix in 1973 for the first Great Gobbler Gallop. More than 30 years later, Worthington and Cuero compete each year at each other’s respective festivals, in a live turkey race down the parade route.

Attractions & Events at King Turkey Days

  • Free pancake feed at the Fire Station
  • Sport Events: 10k Race, Cross Country Turkey Trot, Volleyball Tournament
  • Flea Market and King Turkey Day Baseball Card Show
  • Grand Turkey Day Parade: marching bands, floats, politicians, beauty queens and more!
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Worthington Windsurfing Regatta & Unvarnished Music Festival

Now in its 8th year of operation, the Worthington Windsurfing Regatta & Unvarnished Music Festival has been a huge hit in the community, and will be for years to come. Claimed by many as “the best wind in the Midwest”, Windsurfing Magazine claims, “Worthington, Minnesota, is a wind-crazy hot spot worthy of the name Windsurfingville, USA”.

Throughout this weekend-long festival, Worthington citizens and visitors come together to enjoy time spent surfing the lake, taking lessons in windsurfing, enjoying arts & crafts, and being entertained by a large lineup of musicians.

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Nobles County Fair

Nobles County Fair

For more than 127 years, the Nobles County Fair has brought family and fun together here in Worthington. Great food, 4-H animal exhibits, vendor promotions and a tractor showroom highlight this event. And we shouldn’t forget live events at the Grandstand, including concerts and performances, a talent show, demolition derby, endurance race, and a tractor pull to give you plenty of entertainment.

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International Festival

Come celebrate diversity at the annual Worthington International Festival. This weekend event is a showcase of traditional ethnic foods, booths with unique items from all over the world, live music and entertainment, and tons of games for all ages. This event is sponsored by the Cultural Awareness Organization with financial support from area businesses.

  • Ethnic Food Booths
  • Soccer Shoot-Out
  • Children’s Activities
  • Talent Show
  • Musical Entertainment
  • Cultural Tables
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Parks & Rec

Worthington has more than 20 city parks, many of which are located around the 785-acre beautiful Lake Okabena. Whether you’re looking for a place for your kids to play, take the family out for a picnic, or just enjoy a beautiful afternoon by the lake; Worthington’s parks provide you with the perfect setting.

Featured City Parks

Centennial Park

Centennial Park

One of Worthington’s premier parks, Centennial Park starts with a beach on Lake Okabena and extends nearly 6 blocks. Centennial boasts a large playground, picnic areas and shelterhouse, swimming beach, boat landing, volleyball court, softball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts and a skateboard park.

Chautauqua Park

Established in the early 1900’s, Chautauqua programs were staged in the early years of this, Worthington’s first city park. Amenities include a large playground, basketball court, horseshoe courts, volleyball court, picnic area and large shelterhouse, fishing dock, and a band shell in which Worthington’s own city band plays weekly concerts throughout the summer.

Featured Recreation Spots

Content courtesy of Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce

Worthington Recreation Trail

Worthington Recreation Trail

Worthington Recreation Trail is a scenic ride around Lake Okabena and surrounding parks. The hard surface 5.7 mile trail can be enjoyed by bikers, rollerbladers, joggers and walkers. The user can embark/disembark at Centennial Park, Sailboard Beach Park, or Olson Campground, each of which provides ample parking. Sunsets, nature areas, the serenity of Lake Okabena, and the phenomena of the “world’s strongest bicycle bridge” can be enjoyed along the well-marked trail.

Skateboard Park

A large concrete surface containing 3 ft quarter pipe, 18 ft wide, 2 ft custom grind box, 19 ft wide, grind rail, 12 ft long, and 3 ft quarter banking. 18 ft wide. Located in Centennial Park.

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Worthington Area YMCA

Excerpted from the Worthington YMCA website, http://www.ymcaworthington.org.

At the YMCA of Worthington, our mission is “to put Christian principles into practice that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body.” We are a Young Men’s Christian Association that provides memberships, programs, and services that ultimately help us to buildstrong kids, strong families, and strong communities.

The YMCA is a charitable organization that exists to serve the community where there is a need. Our service includes a variety of recreational, wellness, and social service based programs for infants though sr citizens. The YMCA will not turn any individual away form membership or programs regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin.

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Schools

Worthington’s District 518 and the area’s surrounding school districts feature excellent academic and athletic programs. The area provides many educational opportunities from preschool on up through high school and college. There are also many community education classes available each season for adults offered through the school districts.

Area School Districts

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Worthington K–12 Schools

Prairie Elementary (K–4)

1700 First Avenue SW
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 727-1250

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St. Mary's School (K–6)

St. Mary’s School (K–6)

1206 8th Avenue
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 376-5236

Worthington Christian School (K–8)

Worthington Christian School (K–8)

1770 Eleanor Street
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 376-4861

Worthington Middle School (5–8)

Worthington Middle School (5–8)

1401 North Crailsheim Drive
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 376-4174

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Worthington High School (9–12)

Worthington High School (9–12)

1211 Clary Street
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 376-6121

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Adrian K–12 Schools

Adrian Elementary School (K–5)

Adrian Elementary School (K–5)

515 Oklahoma Avenue
Adrian, MN 56110
(507) 483-2225

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Adrian Middle/High School (6–12)

Adrian Middle/High School (6–12)

415 Kentucky Avenue
Adrian, MN 56110
(507) 483-2232

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Fulda Schools (K–12)

Fulda Elementary School & Fulda High School

410 College Avenue
Fulda, MN 56131
(507) 425-2514

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Heron Lake-Okabena Schools (K–12)

Southwest Star Concept Elementary School (PK–6)

Southwest Star Concept Elementary School (PK–6)

321 Stearns Avenue
Heron lake, MN 56137
(507) 793-2307

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Southwest Star Concept High School

Southwest Star Concept High School

124 N Minnesota Avenue
Okabena, MN 56161
(507) 853-4642

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Round Lake-Brewster Schools (K–12)

Brewster Elementary School (K–6)

915 4th Avenue
Brewster, MN 56119
(507) 842-5951

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Round Lake High School (7–12)

445 Harrison Street
Round Lake, MN 56167
(507) 945-8123

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Ellsworth Public Schools (K–12)

Ellsworth Elementary & Ellsworth Secondary

513 South Broadway
Ellsworth, MN 56129
(507) 967-2242

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Jackson County Central School (K–12)

Riverside Elementary School (K–5)

820 Park Street
Jackson, MN 56143
(507) 847-5963

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Pleasantview Elementary School (K–5)

Pleasantview Elementary School (K–5)

110 Milwaukee Street
Lakefield, MN 56150
(507) 662-6218

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Jackson County Central Middle School (6–8)

205 4th Avenue North
Lakefield, MN 56150
(507) 662-6625

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Jackson County Central High School (9–12)

Jackson County Central High School (9–12)

1128 North Highway
Jackson, MN 56143
(507) 847-5310

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  • 1433 Oxford Street Worthington MN 56187
  • (507) 376-9747

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Mark Vis First State Bank Southwest