Summer festival spotlight: Bean Hole Days
A commemorative mug is filled with beans during Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes.
Jeffrey Thompson/MPR News
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On Wednesday morning, the town of Pequot Lakes in northern Minnesota crowned its royalty for this year’s Bean Hole Days festival. The tradition has been going on since 1938 and is described as “rootin’ tootin’ good fun for the family.”
Tuesday night, five cast iron kettles of beans were buried underground to cook. And by noon on Wednesday, they were ready to serve to the thousands of visitors who take part in the annual celebration.
Nichole Heinen is the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce director. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer from South Trailside Park in downtown Pequot Lakes.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Audio transcript
CATHY WURZER: If you like beans, you're going to enjoy our conversation. Just about an hour ago, the town of Pequot Lakes in northern Minnesota crowned its royalty for this year's Bean Hole Days festival. The tradition has been going on since 1938 and is described as "rootin' tootin' good fun for the family." Last night, five cast iron kettles of beans were buried underground to cook. And by now, they're ready to serve to thousands of visitors who take part in the annual celebration.
Nichole Heinen is the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce. She's with the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce. She's on the line from South Trailside Park, which is in the center of downtown Pequot Lakes. Nichole, welcome.
NICHOLE HEINEN: Hi. Thanks for having me.
CATHY WURZER: Thanks for taking the time. I know you're busy. So you had the ceremonial burying of the beans last night. Tell me about that.
NICHOLE HEINEN: We did. We have an amazing pit crew and an excavator out here. We have a pit crew that has been working for a couple of days on getting the beans all ready for us. And then we have a pit crew that comes out and buries all of these beans. And we have gas and fire and all of that stuff that's happening underground. And we bury them in the ground overnight, and the beans cook overnight. And then today, my park is full of about 3,500 people. And they are all here to enjoy the beans that we've now dug out of the ground, and they're ready to eat them.
CATHY WURZER: Nichole, this could be cooked above ground. But you bury these things along with, I hear, 160 pounds of bacon? Really?
NICHOLE HEINEN: Yes, that's right. So we have an amazing Grand Champion Meats that donate 160 pounds of bacon for us so that we can fill up all five of these pots full of beans. And I think each pot weighs about 500 to 600 pounds. And we go through all of these beans in one day.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, my gosh. So is this a secret baked bean recipe that you all have?
NICHOLE HEINEN: Of course it is. Now, the one cool thing about Bean Hole Days is we have five different pots of beans. Four of them have our regular secret recipe. And we always have one fifth one that is a secret, secret recipe. And you never know what it's going to be. Every year, it changes. So we have one pot that's different than the rest of them.
CATHY WURZER: OK. So have you had a chance to try the one pot that's different from the rest? And if you did, what did you think?
NICHOLE HEINEN: I will tell you, this year, it's got a kick to it. That's for sure.
[LAUGHTER]
CATHY WURZER: OK.
NICHOLE HEINEN: So if you like spice, you're going to love the secret, secret one.
CATHY WURZER: Uh-huh. OK, so I hear you have the King and Queen Bean. And they're the first to belly up to the bean pots and try them, right?
NICHOLE HEINEN: That is correct. So we have the King and Queen Bean, and we also have the Pequot Lakes royalty that comes out here and tries the beans. And then as soon as they give a thumbs up, that means they declared them that they are good to eat and serve to the public. And we serve them to the public after that.
CATHY WURZER: This is such a unique festival. How the heck did it start?
NICHOLE HEINEN: No, that's a great question. So back in 1938, so I think you had said at the beginning, is when it started. And actually, it was with a group of Pequot Lakes businessmen that got together and prepared their first bean feed as a thank you to area farmers. So there were only about 500 people that came to that. And now we're at about 3,500. So it's pretty amazing on how much it's grown over the years.
CATHY WURZER: You mentioned 3,500. I've been to Pequot Lakes. You all have about, I think, what, 2,400 people, 2400 residents or something like that? So you're adding a bunch of people. Where are these people coming from?
NICHOLE HEINEN: They're coming from everywhere. As the years go on, people come each year, and they ask, when is it next year? As soon as the event's over today, they ask. So when I'm making my announcements today, I have to tell everyone these are the exact dates for next year so that they can plan because I have people from California, Ohio. I had people from other countries that come to vacation and make sure that they plan their vacation around Bean Hole Days.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, my gosh. Now, I mentioned I've been to Pequot Lakes. I love your distinctive and wonderfully kitschy bobber water tower. That's one of my favorites in the state of Minnesota. What is the latest on that? Are you going to fix it up?
NICHOLE HEINEN: Oh, yes. We're working on getting it painted right now. And we're raising funds for getting that painted and back up to speed. We want to make sure that Pequot looks as beautiful as it is when you're in town. And everyone sees the bobber. You feel like you're home. And we just want to keep that homey feel.
CATHY WURZER: I'm trying to remember the story of the bobber, the water tower bobber. And I can't remember. What was it? Yeah.
NICHOLE HEINEN: That's OK. So back when we first created the tower, it was just a tower. And in 1987, they had a contest to see, well, what do we want to make it? And a second grader put their idea as a bobber as the idea, and it won. And so in 1987, we changed the tower to a bobber. And since then, it's been Bobber Town in Pequot.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, see, I love it. And it's so cute. So I'm glad you're raising money to paint it. That's fantastic. OK, before you go, because I know you're busy, do you have a chance to eat any of the beans? Or are you just too busy?
NICHOLE HEINEN: Of course. I always do. I make time. That's fine. I have them deliver it right to me so that I can always try them. And I walk around and talk to all the people that are eating the beans today. And I have heard not one bad thing. Everyone is loving the beans this year.
CATHY WURZER: Just make sure-- I mean, tummies might be upset a little bit by the beans. But it's all good, I'm sure.
NICHOLE HEINEN: Oh, it is. And we always sell mugs, and we have a 2024 Bean Hole Day mug that we sell. And if you have that, you get in what's called the Fast Pass for Gas line, which means you get it to the beans quicker.
CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS]
NICHOLE HEINEN: So we have lots of fun here, and we like to make those quirky jokes.
CATHY WURZER: Nichole, I appreciate the time. I hope you enjoy yourself. Thank you so much.
NICHOLE HEINEN: Yes, thank you for having me. And you have a great day.
CATHY WURZER: You too. Nichole Heinen is director of the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
Nichole Heinen is the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce. She's with the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce. She's on the line from South Trailside Park, which is in the center of downtown Pequot Lakes. Nichole, welcome.
NICHOLE HEINEN: Hi. Thanks for having me.
CATHY WURZER: Thanks for taking the time. I know you're busy. So you had the ceremonial burying of the beans last night. Tell me about that.
NICHOLE HEINEN: We did. We have an amazing pit crew and an excavator out here. We have a pit crew that has been working for a couple of days on getting the beans all ready for us. And then we have a pit crew that comes out and buries all of these beans. And we have gas and fire and all of that stuff that's happening underground. And we bury them in the ground overnight, and the beans cook overnight. And then today, my park is full of about 3,500 people. And they are all here to enjoy the beans that we've now dug out of the ground, and they're ready to eat them.
CATHY WURZER: Nichole, this could be cooked above ground. But you bury these things along with, I hear, 160 pounds of bacon? Really?
NICHOLE HEINEN: Yes, that's right. So we have an amazing Grand Champion Meats that donate 160 pounds of bacon for us so that we can fill up all five of these pots full of beans. And I think each pot weighs about 500 to 600 pounds. And we go through all of these beans in one day.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, my gosh. So is this a secret baked bean recipe that you all have?
NICHOLE HEINEN: Of course it is. Now, the one cool thing about Bean Hole Days is we have five different pots of beans. Four of them have our regular secret recipe. And we always have one fifth one that is a secret, secret recipe. And you never know what it's going to be. Every year, it changes. So we have one pot that's different than the rest of them.
CATHY WURZER: OK. So have you had a chance to try the one pot that's different from the rest? And if you did, what did you think?
NICHOLE HEINEN: I will tell you, this year, it's got a kick to it. That's for sure.
[LAUGHTER]
CATHY WURZER: OK.
NICHOLE HEINEN: So if you like spice, you're going to love the secret, secret one.
CATHY WURZER: Uh-huh. OK, so I hear you have the King and Queen Bean. And they're the first to belly up to the bean pots and try them, right?
NICHOLE HEINEN: That is correct. So we have the King and Queen Bean, and we also have the Pequot Lakes royalty that comes out here and tries the beans. And then as soon as they give a thumbs up, that means they declared them that they are good to eat and serve to the public. And we serve them to the public after that.
CATHY WURZER: This is such a unique festival. How the heck did it start?
NICHOLE HEINEN: No, that's a great question. So back in 1938, so I think you had said at the beginning, is when it started. And actually, it was with a group of Pequot Lakes businessmen that got together and prepared their first bean feed as a thank you to area farmers. So there were only about 500 people that came to that. And now we're at about 3,500. So it's pretty amazing on how much it's grown over the years.
CATHY WURZER: You mentioned 3,500. I've been to Pequot Lakes. You all have about, I think, what, 2,400 people, 2400 residents or something like that? So you're adding a bunch of people. Where are these people coming from?
NICHOLE HEINEN: They're coming from everywhere. As the years go on, people come each year, and they ask, when is it next year? As soon as the event's over today, they ask. So when I'm making my announcements today, I have to tell everyone these are the exact dates for next year so that they can plan because I have people from California, Ohio. I had people from other countries that come to vacation and make sure that they plan their vacation around Bean Hole Days.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, my gosh. Now, I mentioned I've been to Pequot Lakes. I love your distinctive and wonderfully kitschy bobber water tower. That's one of my favorites in the state of Minnesota. What is the latest on that? Are you going to fix it up?
NICHOLE HEINEN: Oh, yes. We're working on getting it painted right now. And we're raising funds for getting that painted and back up to speed. We want to make sure that Pequot looks as beautiful as it is when you're in town. And everyone sees the bobber. You feel like you're home. And we just want to keep that homey feel.
CATHY WURZER: I'm trying to remember the story of the bobber, the water tower bobber. And I can't remember. What was it? Yeah.
NICHOLE HEINEN: That's OK. So back when we first created the tower, it was just a tower. And in 1987, they had a contest to see, well, what do we want to make it? And a second grader put their idea as a bobber as the idea, and it won. And so in 1987, we changed the tower to a bobber. And since then, it's been Bobber Town in Pequot.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, see, I love it. And it's so cute. So I'm glad you're raising money to paint it. That's fantastic. OK, before you go, because I know you're busy, do you have a chance to eat any of the beans? Or are you just too busy?
NICHOLE HEINEN: Of course. I always do. I make time. That's fine. I have them deliver it right to me so that I can always try them. And I walk around and talk to all the people that are eating the beans today. And I have heard not one bad thing. Everyone is loving the beans this year.
CATHY WURZER: Just make sure-- I mean, tummies might be upset a little bit by the beans. But it's all good, I'm sure.
NICHOLE HEINEN: Oh, it is. And we always sell mugs, and we have a 2024 Bean Hole Day mug that we sell. And if you have that, you get in what's called the Fast Pass for Gas line, which means you get it to the beans quicker.
CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS]
NICHOLE HEINEN: So we have lots of fun here, and we like to make those quirky jokes.
CATHY WURZER: Nichole, I appreciate the time. I hope you enjoy yourself. Thank you so much.
NICHOLE HEINEN: Yes, thank you for having me. And you have a great day.
CATHY WURZER: You too. Nichole Heinen is director of the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce.
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