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2016 Summer Festivals & Fairs

Summertime Fun!

July 21, 2016

Minnesota State Fair

When: August 25th through September 5th

Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds

About: What began in 1854 as a territorial fair to highlight agriculture and encourage farming in the region became the Minnesota State Fair in 1859, a year after Minnesota was granted statehood. Learn more about the State Fair's rich history.

Today, often referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual Minnesota State Fair is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The fair attracts nearly 1.8 million guests annually.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

When: Open Weekends August 20 - October 2, Plus Labor Day & Festival Friday, September 30

Where: 12364 Chestnut Blvd. Shakopee, MN. 55379

About: The Minnesota Renaissance Festival began its journey in September of 1971 on a 22 acre field in Jonathan, MN. More than 25,000 people visited the two weekend grand opening of the festival than named “A Celebration of Nature, Art, and Life!” That celebration has since relocated to Shakopee, MN and has grown to be the largest Renaissance Festival in the United States with an annual attendance of 300,000.

Mounds View Festival in the Park

When: August 20th

Where: Mounds View City Hall

About: A fun family day surrounded by people from your community. Start the day with a car show, a parade, lots of family friendly activiites, food booths and end the day with a great firework display!

Slice of Shoreview

When: July 22 - 24

Where: Island Lake County Park, Interstate 694 & Victoria Street in Shoreview

About: A fun community celebration that hosts a parade, car show, an art fair, & entertainment for the entire family. The Slice of Shoreview is an annual festival held to celebrate life in Shoreview, Minnesota. The "Slice", as it has come to be known, takes place over the last weekend of July and incorporates a wide variety of family-oriented activities including a carnival, parade, art and craft fair, food vendors, various displays and demonstrations, talent show, lots of entertainment and, of course fireworks. Since the late 1990s, it has taken place at Island Lake County Park at the intersection of Interstate 694 and Victoria Street in Shoreview.