For over 50 years, Eagan’s July 4th Funfest has been celebrating freedom and fun by featuring fantastic food, exceptional entertainment, a carnival for the kids, an exciting Ambassadors coronation, one of the largest parades in the Twin Cities, and of course an amazing array of fireworks. We look forward to celebrating our Nation’s independence with a full lineup of Funfest activities and events this year!
Teddy Bear Band Twin Cities Wedding DJs The Resistors Arena The Hype
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July 4th
LipStick & Dynamite Twin Cities Wedding DJs Gus Sent Me 70’s Magic Sunshine Band
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History
Eagan’s July 4th Funfest has been occurring annually for over 50 years. Beginning as a small group of children riding around town on decorated bicycles, the event has grown into a two day event with live bands, rides, lots of food, a parade, and a fireworks show that attracts more that 100,000.
The Stone Arch Bridge Festival is very pleased to announce local artist Amy Marie Kulseth has been chosen to create the 2022 Collector’s Poster. Each year an artist is asked to capture the spirit of the Minneapolis Riverfront for a special limited release poster. This is our second year on the west side of the Mississippi, where the river has a bigger presence throughout the festival. Amy’s artwork brings water to life, which makes her an excellent fit for the spirit and vision of the festival. The 2022 Collector’s Poster design highlights the arches of the Stone Arch Bridge and the iconic glow from the lights of the Minneapolis skyline. The reflected confetti of lights in the water seem to swirl towards Saint Anthony Falls.
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The Stone Arch Bridge is committed to providing a platform for artists to sell their work, and the community to gather safely.
More than 200 artists and culinary artists will participate with a broad spectrum of artistic mediums.
We have not just one, but two live music stages to hear an assortment of talented artists!
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The festival grounds will span the riverfront area on W. River Parkway from 11th Ave S to N. 4th Avenue.
Come discover the Land of Oz & the birthplace of one of the greatest performers of all time at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
If you are coming for our festival this year, check out our website and pre-register! We have added a few events, as well as opened a few more events up to more people!
The Judy Garland Museum with memorabilia on and from “The Wizard of Oz” (see the outdoor showing Saturday, June 11th) and Judy Garland’s life, and the home she lived in the first four years of her life. In addition, there is a Children’s Discovery Museum, and a gift shop.
Pine Island Cheese Festival is an annual festival in Pine Island, Minnesota. It’s been going on for nearly 100 years, since 1936, and it celebrates the town’s place as the Cheese Capital of the World. In 2022, the festival takes place on the weekend of June 3rd – 5th.
Among the early immigrants who settled the Pine Island area were dairy producers from “the old world” of Western Europe. The area was blessed with an unusual concentration of families who were fine craftsmen in the art of cheese making by curdling milk. There were 30-40 small cheese factories in and around Pine Island in the early years, and circa 1940 about thirty of those small factories consolidated to form the Pine Island Cheese Factory. By 1936, Pine Island, although known for its high-quality affordable cheese, found business lagging. Area producers admonished everyone to “Eat more cheese!” In a renewed effort to again promote their product, the Pine Island Business Club held the first Cheese Festival on September 29-30, 1936.
Area cheesemakers brought samples of their best work to Mahler’s Furniture where each piece was judged for quality and cash prizes were awarded. To add interest and bring people to town, Bazinet Amusement Corporation provided a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, concession stands, dancing girls and other entertainment. In addition, townspeople
were treated to athletic events, speakers, fireworks, and a dance. The highlight of the celebration was a two-mile parade of floats and local bands, reined over by Queen Joy Morris. It was estimated that over 15,000 people enjoyed the festivities.
The Festival was put on hold during World War II. When the Festival was revived in 1949, it was then moved to the first weekend in June and is now known as the opening festival of the summer in Southeast Minnesota!
For many years, the Cheese Festival was held on Main Street and put on by the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, a private group of volunteers formed the Cheese Festival Planning Committee and took on the great responsibility of planning the annual Cheese Festival Celebration.
The Festival was moved in 2015 to the Trailhead Park, and the Creamery, both part of the rich history of the Festival. The move was made for safety concerns and other considerations, and the new venue was equipped with the infrastructure needed to support an entertaining summer festival grounds.
The Trailhead Park and Creamery location is ideal allowing food vendors to be conveniently located on the Trailhead Parking lot, Kids Day and Entertainment are held under the tall cool trees of Trailhead Park, a Craft & Vendor Market can be found in the well-shaded grassy area behind Island Market, and the lively Carnival lights-up the evenings on County Rd 11 as you approach Pine Island from Hwy 52. The historic Creamery is the classy venue for the Cheese, Wine & Beer Gala. Wander outside onto the patio, wine in hand making small talk while sampling and judging your selections from the plate you stacked too high inside. It is a taste testing extravaganza from vendors in casual walk-thru surroundings. A perfect event to take a date, meet-up with neighbors, gather with old friends and new acquaintances for laughs, good times and great memories.
As the Festival adapts and continues to evolve after 85 years, the mission of the Cheese Festival Committee is to simply provide the Pine Island community and its guests a three-day festival of family fun, and entertainment!
Enjoy a slice of the fair! Get together with family and friends, savor State Fair food favorites, raise a glass to a bright summer ahead, tap your toes to live music, enjoy activities and attractions for the whole family, shop specialty Minnesota merchants, and so much more! This is the ultimate way to kick back and relax at the iconic State Fairgrounds! Plus, there’s free parking!
To make this an extra-special experience, attendance is limited to 15,000 people for each timeslot.
