Longest Night Music Festival Brings Warmth to New York Mills

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center hosted its Longest Night Musical Festival on Dec. 12, marking a seasonal gathering of local and regional musicians in a listening room setting. Doors opened at 6:30 p.m. and music began at 7 p.m. Admission was free and the venue offered refreshments and a cash bar as part of the evening.

The lineup showcased a range of performers from the region and beyond, with local artists Kevin Mastel, Dave Virnala and Elliot Frost of New York Mills, Amanda Standalone from Crosby, and roots and folk duo Zac and Sarah Harding. Musicians from the Moorhead and Henning areas included Nick Bordwell, Aaron Johnson and Keith Johnson. The program also featured Ken Waldman of Alaska serving as artist in residence, and accordionist Kip Peltoniemi. The Cultural Center is located at 24 N Main Ave in New York Mills.

Executive director Betsy Roder said the festival celebrates light, warmth and community on the longest night of the year and welcomes both short and full evening attendance. The festival is presented as an accessible, family friendly winter arts option that highlights local performing artists while keeping cultural activity on Main Street through the colder months.

For Otter Tail County the event serves both cultural and practical roles. Free admission lowers barriers to participation, helping families and residents who are budget conscious access live music. The presence of a cash bar and concessions creates modest revenue opportunities for the Cultural Center and helps offset programming costs. For musicians the festival provides performance opportunities and local exposure during a season when indoor community gatherings can be limited.

Longer term, recurring events such as the Longest Night Musical Festival contribute to community cohesion and the cultural identity of New York Mills. By maintaining steady programming during winter months, the Cultural Center supports the local arts ecosystem and helps sustain foot traffic on Main Street at a time of year when retail and hospitality sectors typically see reduced activity.