The city is characterized by small town friendliness and hosts several community events including Catfish Days fishing tournament, Heritage Days, and an Arts and Crafts exposition each year. The city also participates in activities with neighboring Grand Forks, ND including the Potato Bowl parade and the First Night New Years celebration. Downtown has a variety of restaurants with some situated along the river front, and convenient shopping with a vairety of stores located in the downtown mall. Cabela's is also located in downtown East Grand Forks and has several displays of live fish indigent to Minnesota as well as a static display of a variety of wildlife. The Red River State Recreation Area is located within walking distance of downtown and restaurants and provides facilities for camping, fishing and RV parking.
The nearest city with a population of greater than 50,000 is Grand Forks, ND which is immediately across the Red River of the North. This river defines the border between North Dakota and Minnesota in this region and there are three bridges that cross the river between the two cities. Interstate 29 is located just west of Grand Forks providing easy access for driving to this area. A few driving distances from East Grand Forks include:
- The Fargo-Moorehead region is 75 miles to the south on I-29.
- Winnipeg is a 2 hour drive to the North in neighboring Manitoba Canada.
- Minneapolis is about a 5 hour drive (320 miles) to the Southeast.
- The nations capitol is about 1200 miles away.
The city lies within the Red River valley, which was formed when glacial lake Agassiz receeded to the north. The valley has some of the most fertile agricultural soil in the world with a variety of farms which grow soybeans, sugarbeets, wheat and potatos to name a few.
Geographical Coordinates and Political Information:
| Lattitude: | 47.9 degrees N |
| Longitude: | 97.0 degrees W |
| Elevation: | 834 Feet |
| Time Zone: | GMT -6:00 hours (CST, daylight savings time is observed during the summer months). |
| US Congressional District: | 7 |
| MN Legislative District: | 01B |
Facts:
- The 1990 census population was 8658.
- The 2000 census population was 7501.
- The estimated 2005 population is 8211.
- The amount of land area in East Grand Forks is 12 square kilometers, or about 5 square miles.
Transportation:
- Grand Forks International Airport is approximately 8 miles west downtown.
- The Grand Forks Amtrak station is approximately 5 miles west of downtown.
- The Jeffereson Bus terminal is located downtown Grand Forks
