Wayzata, located in Hennepin County, is about 10 miles outside Minneapolis. The small town of around 4,000 residents hosts a lively line-up of community events each year. Whether you enjoy the arts, icy athletics or live performances, Wayzata has something for everyone.
Hosted each May, the Wayzata Art Experience showcases juried artists’ work. You can purchase works by more than 100 artists in many genres. The festival also features street musicians and food and wines from around the world. The event also includes a children’s area where young creators can make their own masterpieces with the help of volunteers. The 2011 event is scheduled for May 21 and 22.
The Wayzata High School’s National Honor Society hosts an annual Mr. Wayzata Pageant to raise money for charity. At the event, 10 male high school seniors perform in a talent show to compete for the title of Mr. Wayzata. The previous year’s champion crowns the winner. The event’s entry fees go to different charities each year, but previous beneficiaries have included Relay For Life and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Celebrating Minnesota’s famously cold winters, Wayzata’s Chilly Open is a golf tournament held on the ice of Lake Minnetonka each February. A nine-hole golf course is carved into the ice for the occasion, and hundreds of lighthearted, winter lovers come out to play during the event. Helping people warm up after a round, the Chilly Open also includes a chili cook-off and other food and beverage stands.
The people of Wayzata come together every September for James J. Hill Days, a community festival. The 37th annual event is scheduled for September 10 and 11, 2011. The event includes an outdoor street market with food and crafts, a car show, a health and wellness expo and a lively parade with marching bands. Children are invited to compete in a coaster cart derby or play in their own kids’ corner, featuring climbing walls and games.
