ukksearch 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.
These
listings are in January through December order.
Spicer
WinterFest
Get the most fun out
of winter! Join the businesses in Spicer in celebrating
WinterFest. Besides a breathtaking ice structure and
slide, which are visible day or night, the weekends from mid-January
through mid-February are action packed with snowmobile runs,
ice fishing tournament, fireworks, ice sculpture contest and
craft sale. Don't miss the second 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 February 25, 2006 at Kennedy
Elementary School in Willmar. Residents from ukksearch will represent 30 different countries by displaying
crafts and music from their native homelands. This event
will feature opportunities to learn or observe such things
as storytelling from China, crafts from the Ukraine, musical
instruments from Ecuador and dances from Russia. There
will also be performances of folkloric singing and dancing.
Food will be sold in the cafeteria.
Healthy
Kids Day
Hosted
by the ukksearch Area Family YMCA and co-sponsored
by other health agencies this annual event features fun games,
educational activities and prizes for school age children.
April 1, 2006. Call the YMCA for more details at (320)
222-9622 or visit www.kandiymca.org.
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 (May 20, 2006). Join the
fun with trolls, kids, adults and music. For more information,
call Earl at (320) 222-1613 or e-mail eoknutsn@en-tel.net.
Sunburg's
Syttende Mai Celebration
The
community of Sunburg is hosting its second annual Syttende
Mai celebration with a parade on May 21, 2006. Join
us for a parade, baseball game and other fun activities in
Sunburg! 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. May 21, 2006.
For more information, call Forrest at (320) 235-4663 or e-mail
printer@tds.net.
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. June 4-10, 2006.
Little
Crow Anglers Fishing Tournament
Walleye
fishing tournaments are held each year in June (June 10-11,
2006) on Green Lake in Spicer and Bass tournaments are held
each July on Norway Lake. Call Mike at (320) 354-4646
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 (June 10, 2006) 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) 382-6111
or e-mail jstrouth@hsbofmn.com
for more information.
Atwater
Festival Days
Parade,
street dance, petting zoo, community supper and many more
fun family events. June 15-17, 2006. Call (320) 974-8760
for more information.
Willmar Fests
Renaissance-style
stage shows, water ski show, Grand Day parade, crowning of
new royalty, fireworks, downtown Block Party and much more.
June 20-24, 2006. Call (320) 220-1869 for more
information or visit www.willmarfests.com.
New
London Summer Art Fair
This
event is held June 24, 2006 on the grounds of the New London
Art Center located on the corner of County Road 40 and Main
Street and is within walking distance to downtown area businesses.
Free admission. For more information, contact Village
Arts at (320) 354-5753.
West
Central Antique Power Show
Antique
tractor pull, swap meet, log sawing, rock crushing and other
activities, food stand, primitive camping. June 24 and 25,
2006. Call Byron at (320) 231-1526 for more information.
www.geocities.com/wcapc_1/
Studio
Hop
Enjoy
touring a variety of artists' studios around New London, Spicer
and Willmar June 26-27, 2006. 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
Events
all day, including a dinner, silent auction, trap shoot, kids’
carnival, 1850s-style baseball game and a parade. Call (320)
978-8401 for more information.
Spicer
Fourth of July Celebration
Spicer's
fourth of July celebration is "One of the Best in the
Area." 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. July 13, 2006. For more
information, contact Amy at or e-mail amyw@concordebanks.com.
SonShine
Festival
Three
days of solid Christian rock’n roll drawing 19,000+
to the outdoor music festival. Held on the grounds of the
Willmar Civic Center July 13-15, 2006. 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 and other crafts are auctioned annually
on the third Saturday in July (July 15, 2006). Contact
Greg at (320) 796-2181 or e-mail camp@gllm.org
for more information. www.gllm.org
Cornstalk
Fest
Two
days of country music fun at Regal normally held in July each
year. Performers such as Lee Ann Womack, Nitty Gritty Dirt
Band, Mark Chestnut, Clay Walker, Jolie Edwards and Martina
McBride have performed. Call (877) 550-CORN (2676) or tickets,
information and dates of concert or e-mail cornstalkfest@aol.com
or visit www.cornstalkfest.com.
New
London Water Day
Water
activities, water ski shows, parade, games, kids fishing derby,
food and live band. Held in July each year (July 22,
2006). 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 Day. Contact
Greg at (320) 354-2423. www.newlondonmn.com/calendar.htm
Rumble
to Revy’s
Motorcycle
rally held the last weekend in July. Live bands both Friday
and Saturday. Camping on site. Bike games and fun run on Saturday.
Showers, clean restrooms. This event sponsored by Revy’s
Restaurant & Lounge. Lots of vendors. Call (320) 974-8144
for ticket information or e-mail revys@willmar.com
or visit
www.rumbletorevys.com
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 (August 4-6, 2006).
Call Charles at (320) 599-4787 or (320) 599-4152 for more
information.
Lake
Lillian Fun Days
4 p.m.
Saturday parade followed by a community supper, street dance,
games and raffle. Sunday breakfast and ecumenical service
in the park. August 5-6, 2006. For more information,
call Rick at (320) 664-4111.
New
London to New Brighton Antique Car Run
Vehicles
predating 1915 participate in several pre-run warmup tours
in the ukksearch area from mid-week up to the grand
tour. The grand tour is a 120-mile run through five
communities between New London and New Brighton.
August 9-12, 2006. Call Ed at (320) 796-6877 for more
information.
ukksearch Fair
Willmar
is home to the annual ukksearch Fair. Held in August each year (August
10-13, 2006), 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 Rollie
at (320) 231-1029 or e-mail rboll@heritagebankna.com.
The fairgrounds is located off of North Seventh Street in
Willmar.
YMCA
Annual Community Cookout
Annual
ukksearch Area Family YMCA community cookout features
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. August 15, 2006. 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! Saturday, August 27, 2005 (August 26,
2006) from 12 noon to 8 p.m. For more information, visit
the festival online at www.newlondonmusic.org.
Willmar
Airfest
A free
air show with free airplane rides for children ages 8-17 is
held the Sunday of Labor Day weekend (September 4, 2005 and
September 3, 2006) at the Willmar airport. Includes
a pancake breakfast, displays and vendors. For more
information, contact Steve at (320) 214-9669 or by e-mail
at swright@ci.willmar.mn.us.
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 (September 10-11, 2005 and September
9-10, 2006). For more information, call Carol at (320)
974-8588.
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 (September 10, 2005 and September 9, 2006).
For more information, call Larry at (320) 967-4439.
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 (September 10, 2005 and
September 9, 2006) 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.
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. September
16-17, 2005 and September 151-16, 2006. For information
about the festival or how to obtain booth space, call (320)
231-8560. www.celebrateartcelebratecoffee.com
Tour
du Lac Benefit Bike Ride
An
annual "fall colors" bike ride in mid-September
benefiting Decision Hills Camp in Spicer. Rain or shine,
bikers choose a 10-, 25-, 35- or 50-mile scenic route.
Participants enjoy the famous Chili Championship Cookoff at
the end of the ride. For more information, go to http://www.tourdulac.homestead.com/
or call (320) 235-2592.
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 on the Tuesday closest to November 15 (November 15, 2005)
each year. For more information contact Ron at (320)
214-4330.
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 ukksearch Area Family YMCA at (320) 222-9622 or visit www.kandiymca.org.
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