We’re heading up to northern Minnesota’s lake country for the holiday weekend.

I’m sure that hoards of other people have the same thing in mind.  So we’ll face a real snarl on the highways.  There will be boats and trailers, campers and motorhomes competing with the normal complement of cars and trucks.  It’s the curse of traveling on a holiday weekend.

It’s times like this that I wish I could put some driving strategies from the Boone Speedway to work.  Is that guy ahead of you going too slow?  Give him a little bump to encourage him to speed up or get out of the way.  Is the guy on your right crowding you?  Give him a bash on the door to convince him that you need some breathing room.  Think of how fast you could reach your destination if the speed limit signs read,” As fast as you dare.”

It’d be fun until an 18 -wheeler decides that you’re the one going too slow.

I took my first trip to the Boone Speedway last weekend for Race Days.  I was impressed with how well the races were organized and run.  The races were exciting and the competition among drivers was intense.

I can see why the sport attracts so many spectators.  There’s so much action on the track, it’s hard to take it all in.

And who hasn’t been stuck on a highway, creeping along in bumper-to-bumper traffic.  That’s when everyone dreams of tromping on the accelerator, careening around the corners and passing all of those boats and motor-homes until you cross the finish line to the frantic waving of the checkered flag.

Now that racing season is underway you know that the Boone County Fair can’t be far behind.  The Boone county Fair is rapidly building a reputation for featuring the finest in county music entertainment.   The Fair Board has developed a knack for picking rising stars.

Fair alumni now rank among the biggest names in country music. Ricky Van Shelton and Joe Diffee are two that spring to mind. Garth Brooks, another Boone County Fair alumnus, is THE name in county music today.  His concerts are sell-outs.  His albums sell millions.  He has a pickup load of awards.  He was recently on the cover of Time Magazine.

And you saw him here first.

This year’s entertainment, the country duo of Brooks and Dunn, will ride a wave of popularity into Boone this summer.  Their recent release, Neon Moon, topped the country charts and is destined to be a country classic.

I expect country stars will soon be clamoring to perform in Boone.  Recent history indicates that singing here is a great way to boost your career.