This is just the tip of the iceberg for festivals and events in Minnesota in July. I’ve avoided the more routine festivals, Crazy Days, Fourth of July celebrations and city parties (but I did do a roundup of Twin Cities’ Fourth of July celebrations over at Wander MN). You can find more information about those over at Explore Minnesota. What follows is a list of the more unique possibilities this month. If there’s something I’ve missed, please let me know. And be sure to check the Minnesota Historical Society’s event page; they’ve always got something interesting going on.
Walker
Moondance Jam
July 15-17
If you haven’t already gotten tickets, better hurry up—only general admission was still left at the time of this writing. This year’s lineup includes Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar, and Tonic.
Minneapolis
Bicycle Film Festival
July 15-17
Exactly what it says—a film (and art and music) festival celebrating bicycles.
Walnut Grove
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
July 9-10, 16-17, 23-24
If I have to explain who Laura Ingalls Wilder is and why there’s a pageant, this probably isn’t for you. But for you Little House on the Prairie fans (and that includes me), here’s your chance to experience an outdoor theatrical representation of the Ingalls family’s life on the shores of Plum Creek. This year’s pageant includes appearances from the TV show’s Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler.
Minneapolis
July 9-10
Cities 97 Basilica Block Party
In an odd but amiable pairing, the Basilica of St. Mary and local radio stalwart Cities 97 present this “party of a higher order.” Performers this year include Weezer, the Avett Brothers, Barenaked Ladies, and Ingrid Michaelson.
Grand Marais
Grand Marais Arts Festival
July 10-11
There are many arts festivals throughout the state, but not many of them get to boast about being located on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Juried art, live music, food and fun.
Duluth
Annual Bayfront Reggae Festival
July 10
Eleven hours of reggae, right on the waterfront. Musicians include Junior Kelly, Queen Omega, Tosh 1, and Zili Misik.
St. Paul
Dragon Festival
July 10-11
The ancient Dragon Boat tradition is the foundation for this Lake Phalen festival, which also offers martial arts exhibitions, music, makeup tips for Asian women, and food—lots and lots of food.
Minneapolis
July 16-24
Minneapolis Aquatennial
This annual celebration has a huge variety of events. Downtown tennis tournaments, block parties, milk carton boat races, live music, Twin Cities River Rats water-ski show, classic car show, a torchlight parade, recycled metal sculpture art contest, and fireworks.
St. Joseph
Tour of Saints
July 11
As the organizers say, this isn’t a race, it’s a heavenly little ride. Choose between a 35-mile and 50-mile course; the courses begin and end at the College of St. Benedict and includes stops at St. John’s Parish Center and the Cold Spring Bakery—because of course you need carbs for this.
Sauk Centre
Sinclair Lewis Days
July 11-17
A celebration of the community’s most cantankerous resident. Events include food, fireworks, live music, lots of tournaments (softball, disc golf), a treasure hunt, and turtle races.
Bemidji
Art in the Park
July 17-18
This is Bemidji’s 42nd year offering a juried art program on the shores of Lake Bemidji.
Stillwater
Lumberjack Days
July 22-25
Traditional festival activities (food, music, parade, treasure hunt, fireworks) combined with events from the region’s lumber baron history (lumberjack exhibitions).
Rice
Half-Way Jam
July 22-24
Midway between the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes is this annual festival. This year’s bands include Tesla, Dokken, and LA Guns.
Hastings
Little Log House Pioneer Village Antique Power Show
July 23-25
This annual event offers the only public access to this historical site each year. A thorough re-creation of Minnesota history, this festival offers quilting and spinning demonstrations, functioning lumber and shingle sawmills, tractor and truck pull, threshing demonstrations, and a hand printing press.
Ely
Blueberry Arts Festival
July 23-25
This year marks the 30th year of this festival. Arts, crafts, ethnic foods, and live music, all in beautiful Ely on the edge of the Boundary Waters.
Grand Rapids
The Great Minnesota Pie Extravaganza
July 17
Located at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, this one-day event gives participants a hands-on 1900s baking experience.
Blackduck
Woodcarver’s Festival
July 31
Annual festival by one of the two big black ducks, this event is a celebration of woodcarving as a past and present tradition. Don’t forget to try an Uffda Taco.
Walker
Moondance Jam
July 15-17
If you haven’t already gotten tickets, better hurry up—only general admission was still left at the time of this writing. This year’s lineup includes Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon, Sammy Hagar, and Tonic.
Minneapolis
Bicycle Film Festival
July 15-17
Exactly what it says—a film (and art and music) festival celebrating bicycles.
Walnut Grove
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
July 9-10, 16-17, 23-24
If I have to explain who Laura Ingalls Wilder is and why there’s a pageant, this probably isn’t for you. But for you Little House on the Prairie fans (and that includes me), here’s your chance to experience an outdoor theatrical representation of the Ingalls family’s life on the shores of Plum Creek. This year’s pageant includes appearances from the TV show’s Alison Arngrim and Dean Butler.
Minneapolis
July 9-10
Cities 97 Basilica Block Party
In an odd but amiable pairing, the Basilica of St. Mary and local radio stalwart Cities 97 present this “party of a higher order.” Performers this year include Weezer, the Avett Brothers, Barenaked Ladies, and Ingrid Michaelson.
Grand Marais
Grand Marais Arts Festival
July 10-11
There are many arts festivals throughout the state, but not many of them get to boast about being located on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Juried art, live music, food and fun.
Duluth
Annual Bayfront Reggae Festival
July 10
Eleven hours of reggae, right on the waterfront. Musicians include Junior Kelly, Queen Omega, Tosh 1, and Zili Misik.
St. Paul
Dragon Festival
July 10-11
The ancient Dragon Boat tradition is the foundation for this Lake Phalen festival, which also offers martial arts exhibitions, music, makeup tips for Asian women, and food—lots and lots of food.
Minneapolis
July 16-24
Minneapolis Aquatennial
This annual celebration has a huge variety of events. Downtown tennis tournaments, block parties, milk carton boat races, live music, Twin Cities River Rats water-ski show, classic car show, a torchlight parade, recycled metal sculpture art contest, and fireworks.
St. Joseph
Tour of Saints
July 11
As the organizers say, this isn’t a race, it’s a heavenly little ride. Choose between a 35-mile and 50-mile course; the courses begin and end at the College of St. Benedict and includes stops at St. John’s Parish Center and the Cold Spring Bakery—because of course you need carbs for this.
Sauk Centre
Sinclair Lewis Days
July 11-17
A celebration of the community’s most cantankerous resident. Events include food, fireworks, live music, lots of tournaments (softball, disc golf), a treasure hunt, and turtle races.
Bemidji
Art in the Park
July 17-18
This is Bemidji’s 42nd year offering a juried art program on the shores of Lake Bemidji.
Stillwater
Lumberjack Days
July 22-25
Traditional festival activities (food, music, parade, treasure hunt, fireworks) combined with events from the region’s lumber baron history (lumberjack exhibitions).
Rice
Half-Way Jam
July 22-24
Midway between the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes is this annual festival. This year’s bands include Tesla, Dokken, and LA Guns.
Hastings
Little Log House Pioneer Village Antique Power Show
July 23-25
This annual event offers the only public access to this historical site each year. A thorough re-creation of Minnesota history, this festival offers quilting and spinning demonstrations, functioning lumber and shingle sawmills, tractor and truck pull, threshing demonstrations, and a hand printing press.
Ely
Blueberry Arts Festival
July 23-25
This year marks the 30th year of this festival. Arts, crafts, ethnic foods, and live music, all in beautiful Ely on the edge of the Boundary Waters.
Grand Rapids
The Great Minnesota Pie Extravaganza
July 17
Located at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, this one-day event gives participants a hands-on 1900s baking experience.
Blackduck
Woodcarver’s Festival
July 31
Annual festival by one of the two big black ducks, this event is a celebration of woodcarving as a past and present tradition. Don’t forget to try an Uffda Taco.
No Kolaky Days in Montgomery? When I was a teen living in the subrural south metro we never missed it...tell me it isn't gone forever?!?!
Posted by: cursingmama | June 29, 2010 at 10:45 AM
No worries, its taking place 7/23-25. Didnt have room for everything!
Posted by: Amy Rea | June 29, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Sonshine music festival (for those who do the Christian music scene) is July 14-17 in Willmar, MN!
Posted by: Megan | June 30, 2010 at 01:21 PM