July festivals

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. 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 (assuming they don’t get shut down as part of the state government stalemate); they’ve always got something interesting going on.

Walnut Grove
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
July 8-9, 15-16, 22-23
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.

Minneapolis
July 8-9
Cities 97 Basilica Block Party
In an odd but (mostly) amiable pairing, the Basilica of St. Mary and local radio stalwart Cities 97 present this “ticket to redemption.” Performers this year include Ray LaMontagne, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and David Gray. 

Grand Marais
Grand Marais Arts Festival
July 9-10
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.

St. Paul
Dragon Festival
July 9-10
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.

Sauk Centre
Sinclair Lewis Days
July 10-16
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.

Walker
Moondance Jam
July 14-16
It’s the 20th anniversary of this central Minnesota rock fest. 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 Kiss, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and 3 Doors down.

Minneapolis
Minneapolis Aquatennial
July 15-23
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.

Grand Rapids
The Great Minnesota Pie Extravaganza
July 16
Located at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, this one-day event gives participants a hands-on 1900s baking experience.

Duluth
Annual Bayfront Reggae Festival
July 16-17
Two days of reggae, right on the waterfront. Musicians include Maria Isa, Dubtonic Kru, and Taj Weekes.

Bemidji
Art in the Park
July 16-17
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This is Bemidji’s 43nd year offering a juried art program on the shores of Lake Bemidji.

St. Joseph
Tour of Saints
July 17
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.

Rice
Half-Way Jam
July 21-23
Midway between the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes is this annual festival. This year’s bands include Cinderella, Lita Ford, and Skid Row.

Minneapolis
Bicycle Film Festival
July 21-24
Exactly what it says—a film (and art and music) festival celebrating bicycles.

Stillwater
Lumberjack Days
July 21-24
Traditional festival activities (food, music, parade, treasure hunt, fireworks) combined with events from the region’s lumber baron history (lumberjack exhibitions).

Ely
Blueberry Arts Festival
July 29-31
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.

Hastings
Little Log House Pioneer Village Antique Power Show
July 29-31
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.

Blackduck
Woodcarver’s Festival
July 30
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.

Comments

[Minnesota Prairie Roots]

I would highly recommend attending the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant to all who are fans of this Minnesota author. Set in an outdoor amphitheater, this pageant is staged in a beautiful setting. A covered wagon, prairie fire, church construction and more are part of this production. Girls, wear your bonnets and prairie dresses.

Be sure to also visit the dug-out site just north of Walnut Grove. That is one of my favorite places...so serene and lovely.

[Carrie#K]

Sinclair Lewis Days sounds wonderful.

Of course, so does The Great Minnesota Pie Extravaganza. More so, in fact.

So.......does one of those two big black ducks carve something for the festival?