The 11 Best Small-Town Minnesota Festivals You’ve Never Heard Of
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Betsy Rathburn
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With nearly every small town comes a festival that celebrates what makes that small town special. Here in Minnesota, there are plenty of small-town festivals across the state that are great for those who want to get out and have fun. Whether it’s named for a vegetable, an animal, or a historic event, each of these small-town festivals uncovers a truly unique part of Minnesota.
Askov is a tiny town with a strong Danish heritage. It's evidenced everywhere from the town's name to its Danish street signs. But the town's other claim to fame is also worth talking about. The annual Rutabaga Festival takes place in Askov every summer. Tons of food and festivities are available to celebrate this humble root vegetable. Check the festival website to learn the 2017 date when it's announced.
Lefse Dagen - or Lefse Days - may be the most Minnesotan festival on this list. It celebrates the record-breaking lefse that was once made in Starbuck, way back in 1983. The 2017 Lefse Dagen is on May 20.
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Bean Hole Days is an annual community gathering in which attendees are served delicious beans that have been cooked overnight in one of several huge kettles. The event draws thousands each year for music, crafts, and beans. Check here to find out the date for the 2017 festival.
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Festag Days is a perfect example of a small-town festival. It includes a parade, tons of food, music, arts and crafts, and more. Check in here to learn when the 2017 Festag Days will be held.
Every turkey has its day - unless you live in Worthington, Minnesota, where turkeys get their own two-day festival every year. The festival includes food, a turkey cook-off, and even a turkey race down Main Street. The 2017 festival takes place September 15 and 16.
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Did you know Olivia is the Corn Capital of the World? Join the town in celebration this summer as they hold a parade, competitions, concerts - all centered around everyone's favorite crop. Of course, you can't leave without eating an ear of sweet corn or two. The 2017 festival is on July 24-30.
Willow River may be small, but it's bursting with small-town pride. Take it all in at Willow River Days, an annual event full of parades, food, and fun every summer. The 2017 festival takes place on the fourth weekend in July.
Every year in Little Falls, residents and tourists alike gather at Maple Island Park to celebrate its place along the Mississippi River. Fireworks are a highlight of this festival, but there is also plenty of food and entertainment. The 2017 Dam Festival is on June 16 and 17.
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It should come as no surprise that Grand Rapids has an annual festival to celebrate its natural landscape. Being in the heart of Paul Bunyan country, the forests are a huge part of what makes this part of Minnesota unique. But it doesn't end there. Festivals such as Tall Timber Days bring people out to celebrate with food, crafts, and even a pet parade. The 2017 Tall Timber Days festival takes place on August 4-6.
Ely is no stranger to being a destination town for many Minnesotans. That's why it's no surprise that the Blueberry/Arts Festival is so good. The festival draws thousands of attendees to enjoy dozens of crafters, artists, and food vendors. In 2017, the three-day festival takes place July 28-30.
Bet you thought there was just one dam festival in Minnesota, didn't you? This one takes place much further south than the Little Falls festival, and on a completely different river. But it brings just as much small-town fun as any other festival. A car show, raffles, and even a duck race make Morristown Dam Days along the Cannon River truly unique. The 2017 festival is on June 2-4.
What’s your favorite small-town festival? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to check out our list of 16 other small-town festivals in Minnesota.
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