Owner: Winnebago venue is a worship spot

WINNEBAGO, Minn. – The owner of a Winnebago venue that Attorney General Keith Ellison wants to close says that Ellison is misinformed about a New Year’s event. Garth Carlson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that the event is a religious ceremony. In fact, the venue calls itself the Carlson Event Center & Country Chapel. About Ellison, Carlson said: “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. It’s not a party. It’s not a bash. It’s a religious gathering.” Other media inquiries to Carlson, besides the Star Tribune, have not been returned. The venue’s Facebook site has gone blank.

Earlier: State moves to close New Year’s dance

Carlson profile

Garth Carlson owns a small business doing construction, demolition and trucking. He also is involved in farming operations, including a new hemp farm and a line of CBD products. He describes the Carlson Event Center as an opportunity to give back. He said his aim is not to make a profit. Low-cost leases and rents, he said, cover utilities and other operating costs.

Carlson. Winnebago entrepreneur.

Building profile

The Carlson Event Center is a multi-purpose venue in a former school in Winnebago. Although Winnebago’s population is only 1,400, the venue can draw people from Mankato, 35 miles away; Fairmont, 22 miles; sand Blue Erath, 10 miles. The proprietor, Garth Carlson, bought the building for $61,000 in April. He said he saw a multiple tenants. Also, space would be available to community organizations and to community events. He has had discussions with the National Guard and Army Reserve about space for veterans organizations. He talked about distributing free meals to needy people from the building. He plans to use a portion of the building for product storage and sales.

Music venue. In the Carlson Event Center’s brief history there have been occasional events with hybrid pop culture and religious themes.