Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, offers countless opportunities for all types of vacations and quick getaways throughout the year. There are events held all year in Minnesota, but one of the greatest times to visit is in the summer. Average temperatures in July range from the upper 70s to the lower 80s. Whether you are local or a visitor, there are events throughout the month of July that can make your summer fun.
Prairie Pioneer Days are held the second weekend of July in Morris, Minnesota, and makes for a great weekend family getaway. Activities include a fair on Saturday in Eastside Park with food, games, a petting zoo, pony rides and live music. You can also take horse drawn wagon rides. On Sunday morning, indulge in all you can eat pancakes at the local firehouse. Attend the city parade, which features floats, fire trucks, old cars, bands and horses. Parade participants throw candy to children along the parade route. Children and adults alike will have a great time together at this family-oriented festival.
Maple Gove Days is a four-day event held in Maple Grove, Minnesota. It is usually the second week of July. In 2011, Maple Grove Days will be July 14-17. It offers many free events for kids, teens, and adults. Kids can decorate their bikes and ride in the kid’s parade, have a pony ride, attend story time and bounce on a giant slide. Teens can participate in a Battle of the Bands, show their creativity in a duct tape contest, play black light dodge ball and much more. For adults, there is a classic car show, garden tours and a food-eating contest. The four-day event is jam packed with fun events for the whole family, and is not to be missed.
Lumberjack Days is an annual celebration in held in July in Stillwater, Minnesota. In 2011, Lumberjack Days will be held on July 21-24. The celebration is held in historic downtown Stillwater adjacent to the St. Croix River. Lumberjack shows and a huge fireworks display are a big part of the festivities. There is an annual concert with a national artist. In 2010, Chicago performed at the festival. Drum Beauty, one of the best drum and bugle corps in the world, performs annually as well. One of the festival's main events is a treasure hunt, in which teams search for a medallion based on a series of released clues. Additionally, food, games and crafts make Lumberjack Days an experience the whole family will enjoy.
The Kolacky Days Czech Festival, held annually in Montgomery, Minnesota, dates back to 1929 and has been held at the end of each July since 1975. In 2011, Kolacky Days will be held July 22-24. It celebrates Montgomery’s Czech heritage and features Czech dancing, a tractor pull, a class car show, a parade and a carnival. There is also a beer garden and authentic Czech dinner. You won’t want to miss indulging in a kolacky, a Czech dinner pastry which is folded with filling in the center. Common fillings are apricot, apple, blueberries, and raspberries. End your time at the festival by competing in the last big event: a kolacky-eating contest!
