Summer in Minnesota is meant for festivalling (yes, that’s a word) every weekend…spending oodles of money on terrible carnival games and rickety rides, knick-knacky crafts, and deep fried edible goodness.
Pick a weekend or two and support your local favorites by participating in their small-scale renditions of Disneyworld. Truth be told, your kids won’t know the difference.
Enjoy this listing of festivals in and around the metro area. If you have one to contribute that got left off the list, feel free to let me know or post it on the MinneMama Adventures Facebook page.
June 12-15 | Parktacular
Wolfe Park, St. Louis Park
Live music, family fishing, parade, kayak/canoe rides, face painting, crazy hair, petting zoo, pony rides, climbing wall, inflatable water slides, waffle brunch, and a Kids Day (Saturday)
June 12-15 | Tater Daze Festival
Noble Sports Park, Brooklyn Park
Street dance, parade, carnival, pancake breakfast, 5K race, kite flying, petting zoo, talent show, food vendors, live music, baseball tournament and fireworks
June 19-22 | Strawberry Fest
Kingston Park, Cottage Grove
Live music, food vendors, carnival, parade, car show, hot air balloon and helicopter rides, petting zoo, pie eating contest, talent show, kid tractor pull, 5K race, mini golf, water wars and fireworks
June 19-July 4 | Manitou Days
Memorial Beach, White Bear Lake
Parade, carnival, boat show, waterski show, beach dance, fishing contest, pontoon rides and fireworks
June 26-28 | Earle Brown Days Festival
Centennial Park, Brooklyn Center
Parade, golf tournament, fishing contest, petting zoo, face painting, games, live music and fireworks
June 26-29 | 49’er Days
Commons Park, Fridley
Food vendors, carnival, pie-baking contest, parade, softball tournament, street dances, and a Kids Day (Saturday)
June 27-29 | Blaine Festival
Aquatore Park, Blaine
Live bands, parade, carnival, craft show, food vendors, softball tournament, Bingo, petting zoo, car show, and a Kids Day (Saturday)
July 3 | Bloomington Summer Fete
Normandale Lake Park, Bloomington
Carnival, inflatables, live music and fireworks
July 4 | 4th of July
Commons Park, Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka
1-mile, 5K and 10K races, parade, fishing contest, sand sculpture contest, live music, aerobatics, food vendors and fireworks
July 9-13 | Ramsey County Fair
Maplewood
Parade, live music, marionette show, carnival, food vendors, talent contest, car show and fireworks
July 9-13 | Maple Grove Days
Maple Grove
Parade, game, food vendors, tennis and golf tournaments, car show, art fair, street dance and fireworks
July 12-20 | Raspberry Festival
Central Park/Mainstreet, Hopkins
Parade, fishing event, meat raffle, live music, talent show, car show, soap box derby, book sale, rugby and softball tournaments, art fair, pancake breakfast, 5K race and fireworks
July 18-20 | Highland Fest
Highland Village, St. Paul
Live music, petting zoo, weiner dog races, 5K race, food vendors, inflatable rides and games, meat raffle, pancake breakfast, movie in the park, wine tasting, bookmobile and car show
July 18-27 | Leprechaun Days
Central Park, Rosemount
Parade, live music, food vendors, carnival and games and fireworks
July 25-27 | Chaska River City Days
City Square Park, Chaska
Sidewalk sales, food vendors, craft fair, ice cream social, book and bake sale, 5K race, pancake breakfast and talent show
July 25-27 | Slice of Shoreview Days
Island Lake Park, Shoreview
Talent contest, chalk art, helicopter rides, petting zoo, pony rides, trampoline and climbing walls, parade, food vendors, pancake breakfast, Bingo and fireworks
July 30-August 3 | Shakopee Derby Days
Huber Park, Shakopee
Games, face painting, mini golf, movie in the park, live music, carnival, food vendors, water fights, 5K race, bags tournament, Bingo, soapbox derby, parade and fireworks
July 30-August 3 | Washington County Fair
Lake Elmo
Carnival, monster trucks, demo derby, magic show, talent show, live music and food vendors
August 3-11 | Stockyard Days
Long Lake Park, New Brighton
Parade, golf and softball tournaments, food vendors, street dances, car show, movie night, and live music
August 14-17 | Vadnais Heights Heritage Days
Community Park, Vadnais Heights
Parade, pig roast, games, carnival, bean bag, waterball and softball tournaments, live bands, food vendors, Bingo, car show and fireworks
August 15-17 | Blue Heron Days
Lino Park, Lino Lakes
Street dance, movie in the park, inflatables, petting zoo, carnival, 5K race, and a parade
August 21-September 1 | MN State Fair
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul
Oh, this fair is just flippin’ fantastic. Just go. And go hungry.
Now, go enjoy your summer, cotton candy and all!
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