BEMIDJI — Hundreds of community members trekked to the Lake Bemidji Waterfront on Wednesday to enjoy some live music and frybread tacos for the 26th annual Taco Fest.
Serving as the yearly kick-off to the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, the event also raises funds for the United Way of the Bemidji Area and serves as an opportunity for positive community connections.
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“I love the Taco Fest because it brings the community together,” United Way Executive Director Denae Alamano said. “Anyone can come and hang out down by the lake. It’s really fun to see all of the people in the community that you care about.”
Kayla Winkler, Community Relations Specialist at Sanford Bemidji, echoed this sentiment.
“I love seeing all of the people who come out,” she said. “Every year it’s fun to see people under the tent and say hi to people I haven’t seen in a while.”
The Taco Fest wouldn't be possible without the many employees from Sandford Health cooking up the taco fixings, which are donated by Lueken's Village Foods each year.
Staff and volunteers from the United Way, Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce and the Dragon Boat Festival team also pitch in wherever they are needed to make things happen.
United Way Board Member and Bemidji Middle Principal Drew Hildenbrand has served on the fry bread crew for five years and said he always looks forward to the annual event.
“Hats off to the Dragon Boat Committee and the Bemidji Chamber of Commerce for organizing these different events,” Hildenbrand said. “They put in a lot of work to give the community different kinds of events to choose from. They have great food, three musicians lined up for today and overall just a really fun day planned.”
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Hildenbrand shared how the Taco Fest is able to bring many forms of good to the community: fundraising, community bonding and giving back.
“The (United Way) board and the executive director have a committee that manages the money raised and disperses the dollars to our different organizations," he said. "The community really supports the United Way, and this is a way for us to both raise money and give back to the community that continues to support us.”
As the lunch rush died down, Winkler reflected for a moment about the importance of the Taco Fest.
“I think it’s good to get people together and raise money for a good cause,” Winkler left off. “It gets pretty busy down here during the weekend so it’s fun to have an extra day for us to spend as a community.”
For more information about the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival visit
Here's a look at the remaining Dragon Boat Festival events:
Wednesday, July 31
- Until 7 p.m. — Sanford Health Taco Fest to benefit the United Way.
- Until 9 p.m. — Dragon's Den open: 50/50 raffle ticket sales.
- Until 7 p.m. — Dragon's Den entertainment featuring Rhonda and Orlando.
- 5 to 8 p.m. — Merchandise tent open.
- 5 to 9 p.m. — Practice sessions.
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Thursday, Aug. 1
- 4 to 8 p.m. — Food court open.
- 5 to 8 p.m. — Merchandise tent open.
- 5 to 9 p.m. — Practice sessions.
- 5 to 11 p.m. — Dragon's Den open: 50/50 raffle ticket sales, sponsor appreciation night.
- 5 to 9 p.m. — Dragon's Den entertainment featuring Mix 103.7 LIVE.
- 6:30 to 9 p.m. — 13th annual cornhole tournament.
Friday, Aug. 2
- Noon to 9 p.m. — Food court open.
- Noon to midnight — Dragon's Den open: 50/50 raffle ticket sales.
- 3 to 5 p.m. — Practice sessions.
- 5 to 8 p.m. — Merchandise tent open.
- 6 p.m. — Seating open at the St. Michel Furniture Lakeside Lounge.
- 6 to 6:30 p.m. — Parade of teams and opening ceremony.
- 6:30 to 7 p.m. — Mandatory Sprint Cup team managers meeting.
- 7 to 8:30 p.m. — 11th annual Dondelinger Sprint Cup.
- 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Dragon's Den entertainment featuring Fun Pianos Dueling Piano Show.
Saturday, Aug. 3
- 8 to 9 a.m. — 5K walk/run.
- 9 to 9:30 a.m. — 1/2K walk/run.
- 8 to 10 a.m. — YPN race day breakfast and mimosa/bloody mary bar.
- 8 a.m. to midnight — Dragon's Den open: 50/50 raffle ticket sales.
- 8 a.m. — Seating open at the St. Michel Furniture Lakeside Lounge.
- 8:30 a.m. — Mandatory all team managers meeting.
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Merchandise tent open.
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Main race day: Awards ceremony following the finals.
- 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Food court open.
- 1 to 3 p.m. — Kids activity tent.
- After the awards ceremony — Dragon's Den entertainment featuring Paint The Town.
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