BEMIDJI — Eight colorful dragon boats were delivered to the Lake Bemidji waterfront on Monday morning, marking the beginning of the 18th annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival.
Held each year off the shore of Lake Bemidji near Library Park, the festival offers four days of music, food, games, kids activities, a parade and plenty of friendly competition.
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Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
Here's a look at the week's festivities:
Wednesday, July 31
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Sanford Health Taco Fest to benefit the United Way.
- 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Dragon's Den open: 50/50 raffle ticket sales.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Dragon's Den entertainment featuring Sonny Johnson.
- 4 to 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.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
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.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
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.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
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.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
This year's Lake George Blueberry Festival is set for July 25-27, with activities for all ages including live music, sporting events, a car show, and of course, blueberry baked goods.
The night sky over Lake Bemidji lit up in an explosion of color during the Red, White and Boom fireworks show on Wednesday as part of the Bemidji Jaycees 81st Annual Water Carnival.
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.
The 38th season of the Bemidji Area Church Musicians Summer Recital Series continues at noon on Wednesday, July 9, at First Baptist Church, 1555 Paul Bunyan Drive NW.
Paul Bunyan Land is part of Lakes Country Treasures, a series which takes readers down the back roads of Minnesota and to some of the unique must-see gems of lakes country.
The Bagley Public Library is teaming up with the Headwaters Science Center to present "Animal Menagerie" from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, July 9, at 79 Spencer Ave. SW.
The Bagley Area Farmers Market will start up for the season from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 11, in the grassy lot next to Gali Furniture, one block south of the stoplights.
Back for another five days of summertime fun, the Bemidji Jaycees’ Annual Water Carnival returns for its 81st year July 2-6 including a slew of traditional events.
The Clearwater County History Center will be closed on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 due to the Independence Day holiday.
Madelyn Haasken / Bemidji Pioneer
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