6 Fun Clubs To Join in Grafton, ND

Sometimes the best way to meet new people is to join clubs with those who share a similar interest. The area around Grafton, North Dakota, features several social and sporting clubs that you can participate in. Whether you’re looking to hone your skills in a certain sport or try your hand at something new, you can get started today by joining any one of these six clubs.

Grafton Curling Club

Dating back to 1914, the Grafton Curling Club is one of the oldest curling clubs in the area. Members gather at 31 E. 7th St. to participate in curling matches for all ages and skill levels. The club participates in a men’s league with two games on Tuesday evenings and a women’s league with one game on Thursday evenings. As of May 2021, one-year dues for each section include the following:

• New Member: $100.
• Men’s League: $205.
• Women’s League: $155.
• Junior Curler: $50.

Grand Forks Lions Club

This group is part of the national Lions Club International, which is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members found throughout 46,000 groups. Officially chartered in 1922 with 34 members, the Grand Forks Lions Club serves the community and beyond through its motto of “We Serve.” Its primary mission since its inception is to provide service to the blind as well as bring about awareness to blindness prevention. The group meets on the first and third Wednesday at 12 p.m. at the VFW Hall in downtown East Grand Forks.

Grand Forks Rotary

The national chapter of the Rotary began in 1905 in Chicago by Paul Harris, who sought a way for other business people to meet with others and regularly exchange ideas and promote their vocations. Since it began, the Rotary has grown to more than 1,2 million members in more than 34,000 nationwide clubs. The Grand Forks Rotary unites members through club activities and service projects intending to share their passion for community service. Two projects the group has worked on include the following:

• Imagination Library: Although this is a nationwide program begun by singer Dolly Parton, the Grand Forks chapter contributes to this project. After a child is born, he or she receives one book each month until age 5. Currently, more than 1,100 communities in three countries participate in this program.
• Rotary Park: After a devastating flood hit the area in 1997, the Rotary began to raise funds to create and maintain the park. It sits in downtown Grand Forks on Greenway by the Sorlie Bridge. Some of the money raised went toward a gazebo, which guests can sit at during summer wedding ceremonies.
• Rotary Wraps: Begun in 1992, this project helps to provide new winter outerwear to disadvantaged children living around the greater Grand Forks area. The group raises funds to purchase gift certificates from local merchants with more than $10,000 certificates distributed annually.

Kem Shriners

As the local chapter affiliated with Shriners International, Kem Shriners is a fraternity based on fellowship, fun, and the principles of brotherly love and truth. It has approximately 300,000 members from almost 200 chapters found in numerous countries. This chapter is based out of Grand Forks and serves the area in both Minnesota and North Dakota. It hosts events and fundraisers throughout the year, and some of its more popular ones include the following:

• Hospital Kids Christmas Party: Held on the first Saturday in December, this event begins with a Shrine Ceremony in the morning followed by a kids’ party in the afternoon with a visit from Santa. The evening is capped off with dinner and dancing.
• Kem Shrine Circus: This family-friendly show is the perfect event for people of all ages. The troupe travels the country during the year, spending about one week in each city from January through November. For 2021, the circus will gather in Grand Forks from September 10 through 12.
• Potentate’s Ball: This annual event occurs in June in which women and their dates dress in their finest attire to honor the Potentate and his Lady. Attendees enjoy dining and dancing.

Kiwanis International – Grafton

Founded in 1951, the Kiwanis International chapter in Grafton is part of the international chapter that raises $107 million annually to help improve the lives of children. The global club has more than 550,000 members scattered across 80 countries. Each community has different needs, so its members seek creative ways to serve the needs of these children. They do so through by combating hunger, offering guidance, and improving literacy. The Grafton chapter hosts events throughout the year to raise awareness and funds. One annual event it participates in is the Closest-to-the-Pin contest held at the Grafton Booster Golf Tournament.

Northern Lites Archery Club

As a charter member of the North Dakota Bow Hunting Association, the Northern Lites Archery Club strives to protect and preserve archery in the state. Begun in 1985, the group has changed locations over the years but now calls 37 1/2 E. 7th St. home. Typically, the group offers a league beginning in January that lasts approximately 11 weeks. It also hosts a youth league every winter for about four weeks.

Beginners can try their hand at archery in the winter as the group brings in certified instructors to demonstrate the 11 steps of shooting archery. Most ages are welcome to the instructional course, but they must be able to draw a bow. Also, in the fall the group holds a Preseason Warm-Up Shoot at the outdoor range found north of the development center. Shooters of all ages are welcome to attend this event, which has a 3D target shoot.

Contact Rydell Chevrolet

So what do you think of this list of the different social and sporting clubs near the Grafton area? Did Rydell Chevrolet Buick GMC get the list right, or did we miss one that you think is important to include? If we forgot one, contact us so we can add it to our list. We want to make sure to keep everyone informed of what’s going on in the area.

Tags: Archery Club, Curling, Kem Shriners, Lions Club, Rotary Club
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