ÍáÍáÂþ»­

Sponsored By
An organization or individual has paid for the creation of this work but did not approve or review it.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival kicks off with Merriam’s Midway

Laughter and screams filled the air as families and friends gathered at the Sanford Center for Merriam's Midway on Wednesday as the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival kicked off.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-18.jpg
Attendees ride the Sizzler at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

BEMIDJI — Laughter and screams filled the air as families and friends gathered at the Sanford Center for Merriam's Midway Wednesday evening as the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival kicked off.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-16.jpg
Attendees enjoy riding the Tornado at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

The midway will open at 1 p.m. each day through Sunday and be open until 11 p.m. each night through Saturday, closing at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Through Saturday, armbands will cost $20 from 1 to 5 p.m. and $25 from 6 to 11 p.m. On Sunday, armbands will cost $20 from 1 to 7 p.m.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-19.jpg
The sun sets behind all the fun at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer
070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-3.jpg
An attendee enjoys jumping on the trampoline at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

Bingo will also open daily at 1 p.m. through Sunday, and food vendors will be available starting at 1 p.m.

Here’s a look at the remaining Water Carnival events:

Veteran's Picnic

Returning for the second year, the picnic will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, at the Bemidji Eagles Club. VFW Post 1260 will hold a flag ceremony at 1:30 p.m. with musical entertainment provided by Mike Naylor.

A free-will donation will be accepted with proceeds going to the Bemidji Veterans Home.

Also at the Eagles club, Elvis tribute artist Sean Wallin will perform from 3 to 5 p.m.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-14.jpg
Young attendees ride the Sizzler at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

ADVERTISEMENT

Kid events

The Kiddie Parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, with registration starting at 10 a.m. It will start at the Rotary Pavilion and will travel around the Tourist Information Center and down the south end of Paul Bunyan Park.

For those interested in participating in the parade, pre-registration is available on the Jaycees Attendees can also download the form and bring it with them on the day of the event.

Attendees also have the opportunity to visit the Carnoch Farmstead Petting Zoo and participate in a bike giveaway at the Rotary Pavilion.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-6.jpg
A young attendee rides the carousel at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

Double Your Fun Color Run

The Color Run is also on Saturday, with the Bemidji Junior Jaycees organizing the event.

The fun run starts at 10 a.m. at the Paul Bunyan Park parking lot and goes along the south shore of Lake Bemidji, loops back at the Nymore Boat Access and ends at the starting point.

Interested participants can register online at as there will be no on-site registration. Online registration will close at 8 a.m. on July 5.

ADVERTISEMENT

There will be several color stations along the way to blast attendees with tons of colorful fun. Check-in for the event starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Rotary Pavilion at Paul Bunyan Park.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-10.jpg
Attendees wait in line to get on a carnival ride at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

Movie matinee

The Jaycees are partnering with the city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department to host a family movie matinee featuring the movie "Matilda" at the Chief Theater 3 p.m. on Saturday. The movie is free to watch.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-8.jpg
Young attendees ride a carnival ride at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski

Loft Event Center

Due to storm damage, all live music events typically held at the Entertainment Tent have been moved to different locations. Here’s a look at the schedule of live music happening at the Loft Event Center in downtown Bemidji:

  • 7 to 10 p.m., Thursday: Corey Medina & Brothers
  • 6 to 10 p.m., Friday: Prairie Smoke
  • 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday: Indecent Proposal

These events are for attendees ages 18 and older, and the admission cost is $10 per person.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-4.jpg
An attendee drives a bumper car on the Scooter at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

ADVERTISEMENT

Cornhole tournament

A Beer-N-Bags cornhole tournament will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, at the Garden Grill & Pub. The cost to participate is $20 per novice team, $30 per social team and $40 per competitive team.

Each team is guaranteed three matches and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers.

To register, contact Travis at (218) 759-8810 or email bcsupplies2035@gmail.com.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-5.jpg
An attendee participate in a ball toss to win a prize at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

Grand Parade

The Grand Parade will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, following a new route due to storm damage. It will start at the intersection of Eighth Street and Beltrami Avenue, travel south on Beltrami Avenue, turn west on Fourth Street for one block, and then head north along Minnesota Avenue to end on Eighth Street.

070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-2.jpg
Attendees ride the Ferris Wheel at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer
070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-7.jpg
Young attendees ride a carnival ride at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer
070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-1.jpg
Attendees ride the Tornado at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer
070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-9.jpg
A young attendee rides the Orbiter at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer
070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-13.jpg
Attendees wait in line for a carnival ride at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer
070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-12.jpg
A young attendee slides down a slide at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer
070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-11.jpg
Attendees laugh while riding the Orbiter at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer
070525.N.BP.MIDWAY-20.jpg
The Zipper runs as the sun goes down at Merriam's Midway on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the Bemidji Jaycees' 81st Annual Water Carnival.
Sarah Suchoski / Bemidji Pioneer

Sarah Suchoski is an intern at the Bemidji Pioneer. She is a recent graduate of Bemidji State University with a degree in Mass Communication and a minor in Environmental Communication. When not working, you can find her reading, engaging in outdoor activities like hiking or camping, traveling, and watching movies or TV.
What To Read Next
Get Local

ADVERTISEMENT