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.

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.
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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.


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.

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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.

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.
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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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.







