Best Free Labor Day Events In Minnesota
Start planning your holiday now, as Labor Day is coming up on Sept. 7, 2015. Here are five free parades, picnics, concerts and festivals occurring in Minnesota over the long weekend.
Carlton County Labor Day Celebration
1403 Ave.
Cloquet, MN 55720
(218) 391-6367
www.visitcloquet.com
Dates: Sunday, Sept. 6 through Monday, Sept. 7, 2015
This is probably the oldest Labor Day event in Minnesota dating back to 1919, featuring picnics, parades and running events. This 96th annual Labor Day celebration kicks off at noon on Sunday in the Cloquet National Guard Armory with an Old Timers Banquet. Then light up the night at the 5k Glow Run and Walk at 8 p.m. by the Washington School. Athletes can run again at 8:30 a.m. on Monday for the Blue House Orphanage Run at Pine Valley. Check out Cloquet's Labor Day Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. near City Hall, and be sure not to miss the parade on Cloquet Ave., which starts at 11 a.m. The Labor Day Picnic is from noon to 2 p.m. upstairs in the Labor Temple, or stop by the Carnival at Veterans Park from noon to 5 p.m.
Congressman Keith Ellison's Annual BBQ Honoring Labor
Minnehaha Falls Park
Wabun Picnic Area 'D'
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 522-1212
www.ellison.house.gov
Date: 12 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015
Have a burger, hot dog or veggie option, compliments of Rep. Elllison in honor of the important contributions working people make every day. You are encouraged to bring a side dish to share with others and a non-perishable food item to support Second Harvest Heartland. Ellison (D, Minn.) was elected to the Fifth Congressional District of in the U.S. House of Representatives and began serving on Jan. 4, 2007. Cities include Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs of Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights, Crystal, Edina, Fridley, Fort Snelling, Golden Valley, Hilltop, Hopkins, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Spring Lake Park, St. Anthony and St. Louis Park. This free event is a great way to meet a public servant and mingle with the rest of the community.
Pride Festival
Bayfront Festival Park
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 761-0726
www.dspride.com
Date: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015
Relish the non-stop music and entertainment all day, capped off with three mind-blowing concert acts in the evening. This is the 11th year of the free Pride Festival with an expanded layout that gets bigger every year. Peruse the historical collection, the many vendors, exhibitors, beer tents and the fun area filled with games and activities for children and families. Come to Billings Park at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, the following day, for a free potluck picnic. Share a dish, if you want, or otherwise just come to participate in games and family fun.
50th Annual Waldfest
Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter
8390 Lofton Ave
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 439-7128
www.gasthausbavarianhunter.com/events
Dates: Monday Sept. 7, 2015
"The Waldfest actually started before the restaurant," Owner Kim Quade said. "Artie Schaefer came down and played his music in the woods while my father-in-law was building the restaurant. Next year, our restaurant will be fifty years old." The Waldfest is free and open to all. The Artie Schaefer Band will polka in the pines from 1 to 5 p.m. Come for the beer garden and brats or stop in the restaurant at any time from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
39th Annual Green Giant Corn Feast
Valleyfair
1 Valleyfair Drive
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 445-7600
www.valleyfair.com
Dates: Saturday, Sept. 5 through Monday, Sept. 7, 2015
Eat all the tasty corn on the cob you can consume any day throughout Labor Day Weekend at Valleyfair's perennial Green Giant Corn Feast. Bring the entire family! The Jolly Green Giant is hauling 30,000 pounds of corn into the park for all to enjoy.
