Kandiyohi County is
host to plenty of festivals and events throughout the year,
including city and county festivals, home shows, craft shows,
arts open houses, antique shows and sales, SonShine Music
Festival and the Little Crow Water Ski Team.
Listings
are in calendar order. For specific dates see our Calendar
of Events.
Spicer
WinterFest
Sponsored
by Spicer businesses, this event is designed for you to get
the most fun out of winter! One of the main attractions
is the ice structure constructed from blocks of ice taken
from Green Lake--a breathtaking view day or night. Activities
run on weekends from mid-January through mid-February and
are action packed with snowmobile runs, ice fishing tournament,
fireworks, ice sculpture contest and craft sale. Don't
miss the annual Polar Plunge and hot tub party. It's
a very popular and frosty fund raiser for the Special Olympics.
For more information, visit www.spicermn.com.
Spicer
Sunrise Lions Annual Fishing Derby
Family
fun for everyone! Prizes for kids and adults.
Win cash! Held 1-3 p.m. usually on the first weekend
of February in the Saulsbury Beach area on Green Lake in Spicer.
Registration 11 a.m. Contact Todd at (320) 796-2151
or by e-mail at terickson@unitedprairiebank.com
for details or visit www.spicermn.com.
Celebration
of Cultures
A full
day of events for the whole family at Kennedy Elementary School
in Willmar. Residents from Kandiyohi County represent
30 different countries by displaying crafts and music from
their native homelands. The event features opportunities
to learn or observe such things as storytelling from China,
troll stories from Norway, crafts from the Ukraine, musical
instruments from Ecuador and dances from Russia. There
are also performances of folkloric singing and dancing.
Food is sold in the cafeteria. Held every other year.
The next event will be held in 2010.
Healthy
Kids Day
Hosted
by the Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA and co-sponsored
by other health agencies this annual event features fun games,
educational activities and prizes for school age children.
Call the YMCA for more details at (320) 222-9622 or visit
www.kandiymca.org.
KRA
Speedway
KRA
Speedway in Willmar holds stock car races most Thursday nights
from May through September. Fans and racers come from
the five-state area and also Canada. Stock car racing
started in Willmar in 1959. Find more information at
www.kraspeedway.com.
Syttende
Mai Celebration
Sons
of Norway Fedraheimen Lodge No. 59 holds a parade in downtown
Willmar on the Saturday closest to the 17th of May, which
is Norway’s Constitution Day. Join the fun with
trolls, kids, adults and music. For more information,
call Betty (320) 222-1613 or e-mail eoknutsn@en-tel.net.
Sunburg's
Syttende Mai Celebration
The
community of Sunburg hosts an annual Syttende Mai celebration
with a parade, baseball game and other fun activities!
For more information, contact Nancy at (320) 366-3423.
Willmar Car Club Car Show & Swap Meet
One
of the largest shows in this area of the state with 39 classes
and a tradition of variety. Dash plaques, goodie bags, door
prizes, concession stand, playground area, free shuttle bus
to mall and car museum, cars roped off, disc jockey playing
50s music during the show. Held at Kennedy Elementary
School, 824 Seventh Street SW, Willmar. For more information,
call Cliff at (320) 354-2457 or Jay at (320) 978-4932.
Visit online at www.willmarcarclub.com
Memorial
Day Spring Festival
Live
music, lefsa making, bake sale and traditional foods held
at the Monongalia Historical Society in New London each Memorial
Day. Call (320) 354-2557 for more information.
West
Central Dairy Days
Week-long
celebration of the dairy industry in June each year.
Includes 12 counties. Call Kent at (320) 231-8112 or e-mail
kdskoglund@bremer.com
for more information.
Little
Crow Anglers Fishing Tournament
Walleye
fishing tournaments are held each year in June on Green Lake
in Spicer and Bass tournaments are held each July on Norway
Lake. Call Ron at (320) 231-3274 or e-mail littlecrowanglers@charter.net
for more information and specific dates.
New
London - Crow River Fishing
Everyone
is invited to join the fishing tourney on the second Saturday
in June each year starting at 8:00 a.m. Call Greg at (320)
354-2423 for more information. www.newlondonmn.com/calendar.htm
Kandi
Is Dandy Days
All-city
rummage sale on the first Saturday in June, followed by a
city-wide celebration the second weekend in June. Variety
show, games in the park, parade, antique tractor pull and
business appreciation supper. Contact Jim at (320) 382-6100
or e-mail jstrouth@hsbofmn.com
for more information.
Atwater
Festival Days
Celebrate
with a parade, street dance, petting zoo, community supper
and many more fun family events. Generally held the
third weekend each June. Call (320) 974-8760 for more
information.
Willmar
Fests
Four
great festivals held in one great city! The Aqua Fest
features lakeside ski shows and water events. The International
Festival and the Frameries Fest honor sister cities in Frameries,
Belgium and Velanka, Russia. Finally, the Kaffe Fest
is a tribute to the area's coffee-drinking Scandinavian heritage.
Activities include Renaissance-style stage shows, water
ski show, Grand Day parade, crowning of new royalty, fireworks,
downtown Block Party and much more. Held the last full
weekend in June each year. Call (320) 220-1869 for more
information or visit www.willmarfests.com.
West
Central Antique Power Show
Take
a trip into the past and marvel at how things used to be done.
Activties include an antique tractor pull, swap meet,
log sawing, rock crushing and other activities. Food
stands and primitive camping are available. Call Chuck at
(320) 664-7040 for more information. West
Central Antique Power Collectors
Studio
Hop
Enjoy
this unique event touring a variety of artists' studios around
New London, Spicer and Willmar each June. Artists open
their studios to the public and showcase their workspaces,
provide demonstrations and feature works for sale. Participants
follow a map and enjoy a weekend touring the scenic lakes
area while relishing the rich variety of artistic flavor so
prevalent in this region. www.studiohop.org
Prinsburg
Fourth of July Celebration
Come
to a small town for a big event! There are events all
day, including a 10 a.m. worship service, dinner from 11 a.m.-1
p.m., silent auction, trap shoot, kids’ carnival, 1850s-style
baseball game and a parade. Call (320) 978-8700 for more information.
Spicer
Fourth of July Celebration
Spicer's
fourth of July celebration is "One of the Best in the
Area." There are activities for all ages, all day
long. Besides an arts and crafts fair with an amusing
flea market, everyone will be enjoying volleyball, basketball
and softball tournaments, kiddie pedal tractor pull, a competitive
12-mile running race and, of course, all the water fun you
could ask for! The street dance along Green Lake is
open to all ages. On the fourth, the kiddie parade starts
early followed by a Grand Day parade, including over 100 participants
with lots of entertainment and candy! To wrap up a
festive weekend, watch the dazzling fireworks light up the
sky over Green Lake. For updated information visit www.spicermn.com
or call (320) 796-5562.
Blomkest
Appreciation Day
Parade
at 6 p.m., potluck supper and games each July. For more information,
contact Amy at (320) 995-6111 or e-mail amyw@concordebanks.com.
SonShine
Festival
Three
days of solid Christian rock’n roll drawing 20,000+
to the outdoor music festival. Held on the grounds of the
Willmar Civic Center each July. For more information
and specific event dates call (320) 235-0119 or (800) 965-9324
or visit www.sonshinefestival.com.
Green
Lake Bible Camp Quilt Auction
More
than 150 handmade quilts are auctioned annually on the third
Saturday in July. The auction starts at 12:30 p.m.
There are also other crafts, a pie and ice cream social and
a hog roast. Contact Greg at (320) 796-2181 or e-mail
camp@gllm.org
for more information. www.gllm.org
New
London Water Day
Water
activities, water ski shows, parade, games, kids fishing derby,
food and other activities. Held in July each year.
Contact the New London Chamber at (320) 354-7111 for more
information. www.newlondonmn.com
New
London - Annual Kids’ Fishing Tourney
For
kids 12 and under held during New London Water Days.
Contact Greg at (320) 354-2423. www.newlondonmn.com/calendar.htm
Pennock
Fun Days
Antique
tractors, antique tractor pull, kiddie tractor pull, street
dance, games, parade and fire department supper. Held
the first weekend of August each year. Call Yvonne at
(320) 599-4754 for more information.
Lake
Lillian Fun Days
Community
celebration with many activities, including a 4 p.m. Saturday
parade followed by a community supper, street dance, games
and raffle. Sunday breakfast and ecumenical service
in the park. August each year. For more information,
call Rick at (320) 664-4111.
New
London to New Brighton Antique Car Run
Patterned
after the prestigous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run held
annually in England, this American version is a 120-mile run
designed to showcase the beauty and endurance of early automobiles.
All vehicles up through 1908 and any 1 or 1 cylinder
vehicles through 1915 are invitied to participate.
Several pre-run warmup tours are held in the Kandiyohi County
area from mid-week up to the grand tour on Saturday.
The grand tour is a 120-mile run through five communities
between New London and New Brighton, Minnesota. Held
in August each year. Call Ed at (320) 796-6877 for more
information. www.antiquecarrun.org
Kandiyohi
County Fair
Willmar
is home to the annual
Kandiyohi County Fair. Held in August
each year, the fair features agricultural, domestic and industrial
exhibits from throughout the county. The fair offers
something for everyone--from baking and flowers to livestock
and antique tractors. The kids will love the rides!
Come enjoy the contests, food, singing, food, dancing, food,
races and other grandstand entertainment and, of course, the
food! The fairgrounds are also home to the KRA
Speedway, with performances Thursday evenings
throughout the summer. The Fairgrounds are available
for special events by appointment. For additional information
contact Cheryl at (320) 599-4466. The fairgrounds is
located off of North Seventh Street in Willmar.
YMCA
Annual Community Cookout
The
annual Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA community cookout
features the best foods of the summer—fresh-picked sweet
corn, hot dogs, ice cream and more food. Events for
the whole family include a scavenger hut, carnival games,
music and the messy-bessy contest. Proceeds allow disadvantaged
children the opportunity to attend YMCA programs. Held
in August each year. Call the YMCA at (320) 222-9622
for more information or visit www.kandiymca.org.
New
London Music Festival
An
outdoor family-friendly music festival located at Holm Park
in downtown New London. Many Bluegrass and Gospel bands
along with musical workshops, concessions and fun for the
whole family! For more information, visit www.newlondonmn.com/calendar.htm.
Raymond
Harvest Festival
Reminiscent
of the old county fair, activities for all ages include a
garden produce show, craft show and much more. Held
the first Saturday after Labor Day. For more information,
call Larry at (320) 967-4439 or visit www.raymondminnesota.com/harvestfestival.html.
Atwater
Threshing Days
Agriculture
history comes alive as you watch farm machinery in action.
This will rejuvenate old memories for those who dream it.
First weekend after Labor Day each year. For more information,
call Carol at (320) 974-8588 or visit www.atwaterthreshingdays.net.
Prairie
Pothole Day
Family-oriented
outdoor event, with a black powder shoot, archery competition,
art exhibits, dog trials and many more activities. Held
the first Saturday after Labor Day on Stoney Ridge Farm near
New London, 15 miles north on Highway 71, 1/8th mile south
of the intersection of Highways 71 and 9. Call Dave
at (320) 214-1497 for more information or visit www.prairiepotholeday.com/prairie_pothole_day.htm.
Celebrate
Art! Celebrate Coffee!
The
Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! festival is presented each
fall by the Willmar Area Arts Council. This free festival
features art, music, food and fun. A children's area
is filled with extensive offerings of hands-on activities,
games, arts and crafts, entertainment and art demonstrations.
Artists also display their original art works for sale.
Held in September each year. For information about the
festival or how to obtain booth space, call (320) 231-8560.
www.celebrateartcelebratecoffee.com
Lake
Lillian Harvest Festival
Locally
homegrown produce and homemade crafts plus a bake sale and
lunch. Held the first Saturday in October each year.
For more information, call (320) 664-4440 or e-mail lakelill@willmar.com.
Holidaze
Parade
Parade
with decorated and lighted holiday floats in downtown Willmar.
Held in November each year. For more information contact
Bev at (320) 214-7646 or visit www.willmardesigncenter.com.
Willmar
Area New Year's Eve Family Celebration
Enjoy
New Year's Eve with your family at this annual event.
Inflatable games, arts and crafts, ice skating, entertainment
and bingo going on throughout the evening. End the night
with a fireworks sky concert that is always amazing!
Held annually 4:30-9:30 p.m. December 31 at the Willmar Senior
High School. For more information, contact the Kandiyohi
County Area Family YMCA at (320) 222-9622 or visit www.kandiymca.org.
|
