Upcoming Events and Celebrations in and around Willmar

I love a parade…and food…and fun! No matter what you enjoy, in Kandiyohi County we have something for everyone. We invite you to look through the events where you will find historical attractions, cultural events, and some of the best entertainment around. You will enjoy a variety of food and activities geared to people of all ages. We are sure you will enjoy yourself and make memories that will last a lifetime.

May, 24 2008 
Memorial Day / Law Day 5K Run / 2 Mile Walk*
Willmar
(320) 222-9622 – Kara Waldorf
www.pickleevents.com/glaciallakes
Pre-register at the YMCA or online at www.kandiymca.org.  Youth and adult divisions plus a kid's fun run and toddler trot.  Each participant will receive a race shirt and prizes will be awarded in each age and gender division.

May 17, 2008
Syttende Mai Celebration
Downtown – Willmar
(320) 222-1613 – Earl
Norway’s Constitution Day Celebration sponsored by the Sons of Norway Fedraheimen Lodge No. 59. Trolls and music add to the fun of this event for kids and adults. (Held on the Saturday closest to the 17th of May.)

May 18, 2008
Sunburg’s 4th Annual Syttende Mai Celebration
Sunburg
(320) 366-3423 – Nancy
Parade, baseball, and other activities held in the community of Sunburg.

May 18, 2008
Willmar Car Club Car Show and Swap Meet
Kennedy Elementary School
824 7th Street SW – Willmar
(320) 354-2457 – Cliff
(320) 978-4932 – Jay
www.willmarcarclub.com
Come and see one of the largest shows in the area with 39 classes featured. There are also dash plaques, goodie bags and ’50s music. A free shuttle bus runs from the Kandi Mall to the school for your convenience. (Always held the third Sunday in May.)

May 26, 2008
Memorial Day Spring Festival
Monongalia Historical Society – New London
(320) 354-2557
Enjoy live music, lefse making, baked goods, and traditional food. (Held each Memorial Day.)

June 8-13, 2008
West Central Dairy Days
Various Locations – Willmar
(320) 843-4432  Janet
A 10-county celebration of the dairy industry. A variety of activities are planned throughout the County. Please contact Janet for more information.

June 1-2, 2008
Little Crow Angler’s Fishing Tournament
Green Lake – Spicer
(320) 231-3274 – Ron
mark@willmar.com
Get out the fishing poles and hit the lake for this Walleye fishing tournament.

June 14, 2008
New London-Crow River Fishing Tournament
(320) 354-2423 – Greg
Start time is 8:00 a.m. Everyone welcome! (Held the second Saturday in June.)

June 6 & June 13-14, 2008
Kandi is Dandy Days
Kandiyohi
(320) 382-6100 – Jim
See what treasures you can find at the city-wide rummage sale on June 6. Then come back on June 13-14 for a city-wide celebration with a variety show, games for the kids, parade, antique tractor pull and a business appreciation supper.

June 17-21, 2008
Atwater Festival Days
Atwater
Call (320) 974-8760
Celebrate with a parade, street dance, petting zoo, community supper and other events. The best part, you don’t have to be from Atwater to enjoy it. (Held the third weekend each June.)

June 21-22, 2008
West Central Antique Power Show
Lake Lillian
(320) 664-7040 – Chuck
Take a trip into the past and marvel at how things used to be done. Activities include log sawing, an antique tractor pull, swap meet, rock crushing, and much more. Food stands and primitive camping are also available.

June 21-22, 2008
Studio Hop
(320) 231-8560  Ann Marie at Willmar Area Arts Council
artscouncil@willmar.k12.mn.us
Willmar, New London, Spicer
www.studiohop.org
Enjoy this unique event touring a variety of artists’ studios in the New London, Spicer, and Willmar area. You will see where they create their masterpieces in their individual media which includes paintings, pottery, jewelry, and more. Art demonstrations and works for sale are also featured.

June 24-28, 2008
WillmarFests
Willmar
(320) 979-2268
www.willmarfests.com.
Four great festivals held in one great city! The AquaFest features lakeside ski shows and water events. The International Festival honors sister cities in Frameries, Belgium, and Velanka, Russia. Finally, the Kaffe Fest is a tribute to the coffee-drinking Scandinavian heritage of the area. See website for details. (Held the last full week of June each year.)

June 28, 2008
Foot Lake 4 Walk / Run*
Willmar
(320) 231-8943 – Amy Kelleher
www.pickleevents.com/glaciallakes
Registration for this race is at 6:30-7:45 a.m. at Rice Memorial Hospital. The race will begin at 8 a.m.

July 6, 2008 
Green Lake Road Race*
Spicer
(320) 796-1034 – Jane Benson
www.pickleevents.com/glaciallakes
Registration will be one hour prior to race time. The race begins at 8 a.m.

July 4, 2008
4th of July in Spicer
Spicer
(320) 796-5562 – City Clerk
Spicer’s 4th of July celebration is “One of the Best in the Area.” There are activities for all ages, all day long. If you love a bargain, you’ll enjoy the flea market. For the sports minded, there are basketball and softball tournaments, as well as a 12-mile running race and all the water fun you could ask for. There are many kid friendly activities as well. The Kiddie Parade and Grande parade start early and the day ends with a dazzling show of color as fireworks light up the night sky.

July 4, 200/
Prinsburg 4th of July Celebration
Prinsburg
(320) 978-8700 – CMCS
Come to a small town for a big event! There are events all day including a 10 a.m. worship service, trap shoots, festival games for the kids, and a dinner served from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Another highlight is an 1850s baseball game. The day ends with a kiddie parade and main parade at 6 p.m.

July 17-19, 2008
SonShine Festival
Willmar Civic Center Grounds – Willmar
(320) 235-0119 – (800) 965-9324
www.sonshinefestival.com
This is an outdoor festival drawing 20,000+ for three days of solid Christian rock ’n roll featuring bands such as Reliant K, Tobymac, Audio Adrenaline, and Third Day. Held each year on the grounds of the Willmar Civic Center.

July 9, 2007
Blomkest Appreciation Day
(320) 995-6111 – Amy
Parade at 6 p.m., potluck supper, and games.

July 19, 2007
Green Lake Bible Camp 24th Annual Quilt Auction
Spicer
(320) 796-2181 – Greg
www.gllm.org.
Over 150 handmade quilts and other crafts are available for auction. The auction starts at 12:30 p.m. There are also other crafts, a pie and ice cream social, and a hog roast. (Held annually on the third Saturday of July.)

July 19-20, 2008
New London Water Days
New London
(320) 354-2011 – Mel Haats
www.newlondonmn.com.
All day events feature a grand parade, hog roast, kids fishing derby, games, street dance and a ski show.

July 19, 2008
New London Annual Kids Fishing Tourney
New London
(320) 354-2602 – John or Jill
Let the little ones try their hand at catching the big one. This fishing tournament, held in conjunction with New London Water Day, is for kids only (12 and under).  Chance to win a boys or girls bike; every child gets a prize.

August 1-3, 2008
Pennock Fun Days
Pennock
(320) 599-4754 – Yvonne
Antique tractors, tractor pulls, fire department supper, street dance, and games await you at this community-wide event. (Held the first weekend of August.)

August 1-3, 2008
Lake Lillian Fun Days
Lake Lillian
(320) 664-4111 – Rick
Community celebration with many activities beginning with a parade on Saturday at 4 p.m. followed by a raffle, street dance, community supper, and games. A breakfast is held on Sunday morning with an ecumenical service in the park.

August 6-9, 2008
New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run
New London – New Brighton
(320) 796-6877 – Ed Walhof
Patterned after the prestigious London to Brighton Veteran Car Run held annually in England, this American version is a 120-mile run designed to showcase the beauty and endurance of very early automobiles. All vehicles up through 1908 and any 1 or 2 cylinder vehicles through 1915 are invited to participate. (Held the second weekend of August.)

August 6-9, 2008
107th Kandiyohi County Fair
Fairgrounds – Willmar
(320) 599-4318 or (320) 599-4466 – Cheryl
www.kandifair.com
Not as big as the Minnesota State Fair, but just as much fun, the Kandiyohi County Fair offers something for everyone.

August 12, 2008
YMCA Annual Community Cookout
YMCA – Willmar
(320) 222-9622
www.kandiymca.org
A community-wide cookout featuring the best foods of the summer—sweet corn, hot dogs, ice cream, and more. Events include a scavenger hunt, carnival games, music, and the messy-bessy contest. Proceeds allow disadvantaged children the opportunity to attend YMCA programs.

August 23, 2008
New London Music Festival
Holm Park – New London
(320) 354-5482 – Kevin
www.newlondonmusic.org
Bluegrass and Gospel bands are featured at this outdoor family-friendly music festival from noon to 8 p.m. You can also take part in musical workshops, concessions, and more.

August 23, 2008
Raymond Harvest Festival
Raymond
(320) 967-4439 – Larry
Reminiscent of the old county fair, you will enjoy garden produce, a craft show, and much more. There will be plenty of activities to enjoy for all ages. (Held the first Saturday after Labor Day each year.)

September 6, 2008 
Prairie Pothole Day
Stoney Ridge Farm near New London
(320) 214-1497 – Dave
Held on the Stoney Ridge Farm near
New London (15 miles north of Willmar on Hwy. 71, 1/8 mile south of the intersection of Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 9), Prairie Pothole Day is a family-oriented outdoor event. You will enjoy activities such as a black powder shoot, art exhibits, dog trials, an archery competition, and much more. (Held the first Saturday after Labor Day.)

August 23, 2008
Run Around Raymond 5k*
Raymond
(320) 967-4439 – Larry
www.pickleevents.com/glaciallakes
Registration for this race will begin at 7 a.m. with the race starting at 8 a.m.

September 6-7, 2008
Atwater Threshing Days
Atwater
(320) 974-8588 – Carol
Agricultural history in motion awaits you, with old memories coming to life as you see how threshing was done in days gone by. (Held the first weekend after Labor Day.)

September 19-20, 2008
Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee!
Between Becker Ave. & 5th St. – downtown Willmar
(320) 231-8560  Ann Marie
www.celebrateartcelebratecoffee.com
Presented each fall by the Willmar Area Arts Council, this festival celebrates art, music, and coffee. There will be a children’s area where they can experience art through hands-on activities, games, arts & crafts, and art demonstrations. Artists will also display their works for sale. Free gourmet coffee will be served in an outdoor cafe.

October 4, 2008
Lake Lillian Harvest Festival
Lake Lillian
(320) 664-4440
Locally homegrown produce and homemade crafts plus a bake sale and lunch are offered. (Held the first Saturday in October each year.)

November 14-15, 2008
Home for the Holidays
New London
(320) 354-5557 – Ginny or Anita
Email: millpond@tds.net
Shop New London for that hometown holiday feeling as you join the businesses for their annual holiday kickoff featuring music, holiday gifts, decorations, and more.

November 22, 2008
Holidaze Parade
Willmar
(320) 214-7646 – Bev
Christmas is just around the corner! Come and get into the spirit of Christmas as you watch and enjoy a Christmas parade with lights and decorated floats. Maybe you’ll even see Santa Claus or some of his elves.

December 31, 2008
Willmar Area New Year’s Eve Family Celebration
Willmar Senior High School – Willmar
(320) 222-9622
www.kandiymca.org
Out with the old and in with the new. Come and celebrate New Year’s Eve with your family at this annual event. Join other families from 4:30 – 9:30 p.m., there will be games, arts and crafts, ice skating, BINGO, entertainment, and a fabulous fireworks display to end the night.

For convention and event planning contact: