Troll magic has transformed Detroit Lakes into a tourist mecca

DETROIT LAKES
— Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo’s “Trolls in DL” will be celebrating their first year in Detroit Lakes next month.
In the year since Dambo brought his troll magic to the lakes area, the gentle giants known as Alexa, Barefoot Frida, Ronny Funny Face, Long Leif and Jacob Everear — as well as the elusive Golden Rabbit — have drawn visitors from all over the U.S.
(and beyond), prompting media coverage from the likes of Minnesota Public Radio, “CBS This Morning,” USA Today and most recently, a mention in TIME’s 2025 list of “World’s Greatest Places.”

Thomas Dambo’s Jacob Everear enjoys hanging out in Frazee’s Wannigan Park. Vicki Gerdes / Detrot Lakes Tribune