Southern Minnesota has events that are fun, educational, interactive and for the whole family. You can experience a live music festival, the defeat of Jessie James as he tries to rob a bank, the pioneer life as people try to survive a primitive land or a re-enactment of an early American fur trader's life.
The festival, voted among the Top 25 Festivals in the state by The Minnesota Office of Tourism, includes a colonial re-enactment with more than 1,000 actors and helpers participating in the event.
Every year The Big Island Rendezvous takes guests on a tour of the past during the first weekend of October. The rendezvous, which has been voted among the Top 100 festivals in the nation by the American Bus Association, focuses on early America and the fur trade.
The early American life is preserved through demonstrations and by the campgrounds that do not allow any modern RVs, campers or tents.
Big Island Rendezvous and Festival
Freeborn County Fairgrounds
Bancroft Bay Park
Albert Lea, MN 56007
800-658-2526 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800-658-2526 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
bigislandfestivalandbbq.org
The fall festival includes activities such as a giant maze, a storyteller, a trip through the pumpkin patch in search of your own pumpkin, hayrides, an apple sling contest and a haunted forest.
The children have their own kid's corner with activities created especially for them. Because the festival is in an orchard, there will be plenty of locally raised apples.
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Center Creek Orchard Fall Festival
663 254th Ave.
Fairmont, MN 56031
507-773-4547 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 507-773-4547 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
centercreekorchard.com
The Tree Frog Music Festival offers two full days of food, art and music at Teepee Tonka Park on the Straight River. Each year more than 15 musical acts in a range of styles entertain. In addition to the music, there are children's activities, original art, beer gardens, food booths and beverage shops.
Tree Frog Music Festival
Teepee Tonka Park
Faribault, MN 55021
507-334-4381 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 507-334-4381 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
800-658-2354
treefrogmusic.org
The annual Fort Belmont Rendezvous offers a view into an earlier time. Visitors can hang out with buck skinners, and learn blacksmithing and other pioneer trades. Demonstrations of primitive camping, cooking over an open fire and other 1800s activities are part of the festival. Guests can take the family on a horse-drawn wagon ride and watch a black-powder rifle shoot. They can even participate in the shoot..
Fort Belmont Rendezvous
217 Belmont Lane
Jackson, MN 56143
507-847-3867
jacksonmn.com
Jesse James rides again in the re-enactment of a gunbattle between the infamous James-Younger gang and the heroic little town that wouldn't be beat. On September 7, 1876, an attempted robbery of the First National Bank by the James Gang was stopped by a town's bravery, and in the end the James boys left empty-handed and without the Youngers, who were brought down by the local men.
The scene unfolds again with live horses, brave townspeople and gunshots ringing out. Other activities include a tractor pull, rodeo, parade, midway, arts and crafts, shows and entertainment.
Defeat of Jesse James Days
Northfield, MN 55057
507-645-5604
800-658-2548
djjd.org
