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BEMIDJI — Back for its 81st year, the Bemidji Jaycees' Annual Water Carnival returns for another five days of jam-packed summertime fun on Wednesday, July 2.

Continuing through Sunday, July 6, the Water Carnival will see the return of a whole slew of traditional events like the Grand Parade, Color Run, the Red, White and Boom Fireworks show and much more.

Though some events have had to change locations due to storm damage in the downtown Bemidji, none of the events have been outright canceled, according to a June 27 release from the Jaycees.

The first clue for the Medallion Hunt is set to be revealed on Monday, June 30, with more clues released each day on Lakeland News, Paul Bunyan Broadcasting, RP Broadcasting and on the and Facebook page until the Medallion is found.

Interested participants can purchase their Medallion Hunt Buttons at the Tourist Information Center and myBemidji through June 30, with Water Carnival Buttons then available at the same locations through July 6.

The $3 Medallion button is required to win the $500 grand prize in the hunt. The $3 Carnival button will be available for purchase from July 2-6.

From carnival rides and games to a variety of different food vendors, Merriam’s Midway is set to open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, in the Sanford Center parking lot with rides running until 11 p.m. The midway will be open from 1 to 11 p.m. each day through Saturday.

On Sunday, July 6, Merriam's Midway will have an earlier close at 7 p.m.

Armband specials will cost $25 from 6 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2. On Thursday, July 3, through Saturday, July 5, armbands will cost $20 from 1 to 5 p.m. and $25 from 6 to 11 p.m. On Sunday, July 6, armbands will cost $20 from 1 to 7 p.m.

Food vendors will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, and will then open daily from 1 to 10 p.m. on July 3-6 in the Sanford Center parking lot.

Vendors will include Texas Best BBQ, Hawg Heaven, and Dirty Dough.

The Bemidji Chorale will host Bingo from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at the Sanford Center parking lot. Bingo will continue daily from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6.

This year, the veterans picnic returns to honor the veterans in the community.

The picnic will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 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.

The Kiddie Parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, with registration starting at 10 a.m. The parade will start at the Rotary Pavilion and will travel around the Tourist Information Center and down to 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.

The Double Your Fun Color Run is also set for Saturday, July 5, 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.

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.

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, July 5.

The movie is free to watch.

From 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, Corey Medina & Brothers will perform for attendees 18 or older. Admission cost is $10 per person.

On Friday, July 4, Prairie Smoke will perform from 6 to 10 p.m. for those 18 and older. Admission cost is $10 per person.

On Saturday, July 5, Indecent Proposal is slated to perform from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for attendees 18 or older. Admission cost is $10 per person.

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 at each level.

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

The Grand Parade will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.

According to an updated release from the Jaycees, the traditional parade route has sustained significant damage from the storm, leading organizers to change the route.

"The City of Bemidji worked with us on a solution for a new route," the release said. "They have graciously offered to remove the debris in the Beltrami County Administration Building parking lot, as well as along a new parade route, to ensure we could still have a Grand Parade."

The new route starts at the intersection of Eighth Street and Beltrami Avenue, travels south on Beltrami Avenue, turns west on Fourth Street for one block, and then heads north along Minnesota Avenue to end on Eighth Street.

The Red, White and Boom fireworks display will be held at dusk, usually around 9:45 to 10:15 p.m., on Wednesday, July 2, on Lake Bemidji. Fireworks typically start launching around 10:10 p.m.

According to a release from the Jaycees, the fireworks are typically held on July 4, but the date change was needed this year due to unforeseen circumstances with the previous fireworks vendor.

"We were able to find a new vendor, Premier Pyrotechnics, to provide the fireworks show but with the need to change the date," the release explained. "We feel it is more important to continue our traditions of celebration and move the date of the fireworks for this year, instead of canceling them."

For the best view of the show, the Jaycees recommend the south end of Lake Bemidji. Cameron Park is not a good viewing location as there are too many trees in the way according to the Jaycees but they can be seen well from Diamond Point Park, Library Park, Paul Bunyan Park and South Shore Park.