GRAND things happen at FORKS’ Alerus Center

The Alerus Center, our city’s premiere performance and convention complex, is the perfect place to entertain and be entertained. Completed in 2001, with recent additions and an upcoming remodel, it is considered one of the most acclaimed facilities in the country.

The main arena, with a full-set seating capacity of 22,000, has been used for a wide variety of events. As home to Division I-AA University of North Dakota football, they’ve hosted many exciting college games, in addition to other sports ranging from professional basketball and wrestling to bull riding and monster trucks. Some of the most popular performers in the nation – including Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Metallica, Cher and George Strait – have all taken center stage at the Alerus. You’ll find the acoustics to be astounding, especially for such a large arena, thanks to their state-of-the-art sound system.

If you're in search of the perfect venue for a small show, convention, conference, family gathering, or wedding, look no further than the Alerus Center to meet all your needs. With 12 meeting rooms and a 25,000 square foot ballroom, it's an excellent choice. Undergoing a complete renovation in Summer 2025, the newly revamped conference center will offer even more amenities for organizers, all within a beautiful setting.

As proof of its diversity, these are just some of the awesome happenings currently on the Alerus calendar of events:

  • March 8-9 // 2025 Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Show
  • March 8-9 // The Greater Grand Forks Camper Show 2025
  • March 22 // 63rdAnnual Feast of Nations
  • March 28-29 // 4th Annual Grand Forks Farm Toy Show
  • April 4-6 // 35th Annual Junior Grand Am Basketball Tournament
  • April 5 // Gardening Saturday 2025
  • April 11-12 // Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Professional Bull Riders Chute Out
  • April 19 // Toughest Monster Truck Tour Championship Weekend
  • May 3 // Throne Mixed Martial Arts
  • May 3-4 // RRV Motorcyclists Spirt of America Bike & Car Show 2025
  • May TBA // Anything Goes Community Wide Rummage Sale
  • September TBA // Potato Bowl USA 2025 Tailgate Party & UND Football Game

If you’d like additional information on any of these great goings-on or want to stay up to date with regular event announcements, follow the Alerus on Facebook and visit AlerusCenter.com. For a listing of all Greater Grand Forks events, please check out our website calendar at VisitGrandForks.com. We also invite you to follow Visit Greater Grand Forks on Facebook and Instagram.

FEATURED DINING & NIGHTLIFE

Enjoy 7 days of happier hours in Forks

Each day of the week, our local establishments set aside hours to help make everyone happy. While it’s nearly impossible to list them all here, below is a sampling of Forks’ most fabulous food and adult beverage $pecials.

7 restaurants dishing up FORKSful of international flavor

When it comes to dining out, our two Forks offer lots more options than just hearty Midwestern meat and potato dishes. Although, we really do make a mean hotdish around these parts! There are actually several locally owned eateries serving up some of the best global fare to be found anywhere. Here is a half dozen plus one of my favorites.

10 popular spots serving up FORKSful of flavor

Visit Greater Grand Forks was interested in learning more about what our Facebook Friends' FORKS Favs are when it comes to dining out. What better way to find out than doing an unscientific poll offering a chance to win a $50 gift card to the local eatery of their choice?! Listed below, in no particular order, were the Top 10 vote getters.

A Greater Grand Forks Getaway: Travel Tips to Explore Hidden Gems

Chocolate covered potato chips, ice hockey, art and history, discover Darley Newman’s expert tips for diving into the local culture, food, and the arts scene in Greater Grand Forks.

7 FORKS local coffee hot spots

Move over Seattle and Portland, our two FORKS have lots of GRAND brews from which to choose! Scattered about town, there are a variety of java joints (some locally owned, some national chains) ready to pour you up a cup of deliciousness.

Only 24 hours in Grand Forks? Do it Downtown!

From mouthwatering meals to sumptuous stays, plus soul-satisfying retail therapy and even a little art mixed in for good measure, Grand Forks always delivers. But what if you only have 24 short hours to explore this river city? That’s not a problem. Do it downtown! One of our favorite Canadians (and we have plenty) shows us how it’s done.