FROM OUR “BOY FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY”...

FROM OUR “BOY FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY” DEPT.: Duluth, Minn., is staging a Duluth Reunion Festival this summer, which will feature a 17-day entertainment carnival manned by former Duluth-area school graduates. The whole occasion sounds like something out of a missing chapter from Garrison Keillor’s “Lake Wobegon Days.” Scheduled events include dog-sled races on wheels, a sand sculpture contest and a water-ski and thrill show. But there’s one famous native son who festival organizers particularly hope will be on hand--Bob Dylan.

In fact, festival organizers recently sent a letter to Dylan with nearly 5,700 signatures, asking him to come home for a festival performance in July. (Dylan was born in Duluth, though he moved to Hibbing as a young boy). The letter included a poem that went in part: “You’ve helped the hurting and sing for truth, we’re asking you now to help Duluth. . . . Your name can help us build success, it’s for real, Bob, we need your ‘yes.’ ”

Reunion Festival public relations director Larry Anderson said Dylan has not officially responded to the request, but “a friend of his told us that he’s interested and wants to hear more about it. He certainly hasn’t said no. All I can say is there’s a lot of people who would be excited as all get-out to see him come here.”