On most days, in Grand Marais, when I’m home for the summers, I give thanks for the peaceful and tranquil environment that we have here on the North Shore.
Today was not one of those days. Sure, there are times when the streets aren’t exactly quiet—Fisherman’s Picnic or Fourth of July. Sometimes, tourists can be a little bit noisy. Why wouldn’t they? Grand Marais is a place where people come to escape their daily lives, to have fun, and to stimulate our economy while they do so. Today, however was different. Today, there was noise
The noise I am referring to is the band/ministry that has been performing in Harbor Park for the last three days. I am not one to protest live music. I think that live music is an essential (and fun) part of our town’s culture. However, any band playing in the same place, at the same loud volume for three nights in a row is excessive and in this case offensive.
While I am not against religion, or anyone’s personal point of view, I am uncomfortable as a local of this town when I am given no option but to listen to the fiery sermons and loud religious music that played in the middle of downtown Grand Marais today. With the windows shut, and my television on, I could still clearly hear the impassioned young man outside screaming his own personal religious viewpoint through a microphone.
It wasn’t just me who was concerned. A friend told me they could hear the shouting from their house up the hill. A few business owners said that their customers were complaining about the noise.
The last thing that we need to do in a town such as this is alienate our industry—tourism. People come here to escape the noise of the city, after all.
Another thing that peeves me is that we were not given any warning of this happening—other than a few small fliers hanging around town— and they all said that the music would play from 7- 9ish. I’m writing at 11:00 p.m., and there is still a crowd of people clapping and chanting across the street, blocking out the silence that many of us love so much.
Freedom of speech is great—but freedom of hearing is better.
Chris Hoglund
Grand Marais
Golden Valley
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