Plan a trip into Bigfork for the Bigfork Wilderness Days celebration – with games, contests, food – lots of food – music and vendors! Festivities start at noon on Friday with a swap meet, BBQ contest and Youth Dance. Other events include a golf tournament, band/open mic, car show, Escape Room, duckie race, kids’ movies, street dance, 5k and and open trap shoot. In fact, there is something for almost everyone!
Selected events are shown here – for more information, visit the Facebook page for Bigfork MN Wilderness Days.
Friday, July 17
12 noon – Wilderness Days begin with vendors and a Swap Meet
Afternoon – BBQ contest starts cookin’ with public tasting at 5 p.m. in Kocian’s parking lot, winners announced at 6:30 p.m.
6 – 8 p.m. PTA Youth Dance upstairs City Hall
7 p.m. – Stages Theatre brings Shrek The Musical to the Edge Center. Tickets online at edgecenterarts.org/events or at the door: adults $10, youth $5.
Saturday, July 18
8:30 a.m. – Bloody Mary Contest at Golf on the Edge, followed at 10 a.m. with a golf tournament (registration starts at 9 a.m.)
9 a.m. – B.I.G. serves up caramel rolls at the BIG community center building on Main Street
10 a.m. – Medallion Hunt begins at the Information Booth
Starting at 10 a.m. – Band/Open Mic on the Main Stage next to the B.I.G. building, Kids Zone and Petting Zoo next to the Vet’s office, Car Show in Kocian’s parking lot, Swap Meet in AG parking lot, Sawdust Pile and Foam Party at ice rink.
Starting at 11 a.m. – Escape Room, upstairs at City Hall and Bingo at BIG building.
1 p.m. – Live propane burn demo at Fire Hall
2 p.m. – Bean Bag Tourney at Wilderness Bar
2:30 p.m. – Kiddie Parade (lineup at 2:15 p.m., Phil’s Autobody)
4 p.m. – Main Parade (line up at 3:30 p.m. trailer park road). No entry fee, but register at
6 p.m. – Duckie Races at Hwy 38 bridge
6:30 – 10 p.m. – Kids’ movies upstairs City Hall
7 p.m. – Shrek The Musical at the Edge Center
10 p.m. – Street dance at Wilderness Bar
Sunday, July 19
8 a.m. – 5k run starts at Phil’s Autobody.
Registration 7:30 a.m.
8 a.m. – noon – Breakfast pancakes and fly-in at airport
1 – 5 p.m. – Open Trap Shoot fundaiser for trap team at gun range
2 p.m. – Shrek The Musical at the Edge Center
2 p.m. – Bean Bag Tourney at Wilderness Bar d open trap shoot. In fact, there is something for almost everyone!
Selected events are shown here – for more information, visit the Facebook page for Bigfork MN Wilderness Days.
Rodeo Weekend in Effie
Reserve the last full weekend in July, July 24-26, for the 71st year of the North Star Stampede, “Minnesota’s largest open rodeo” where a contestant could be your neighbor or a well-known competitor.
The rodeo opens with a parade at 5 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Gate prices are $20, children ages 6-13, $10. A 3-day pass is available. Entries open July 13 at 7 a.m. For more information, call (218) 743- 6463.
All the traditional events will be held: Saddle Bronc and Ranch Bronc Riding; Bareback Riding; Dally Calf and Team Roping; Steer Wrestling and Bull Riding; Cowgirls Barrel Racing. There also will be Novice Bareback Riding, Junior Bull Riding, Wild Cow Milking (with a 3-man team) and Women’s Breakaway.
Of course, there are also cowboy wearables, vendors and food trucks at the rodeo, and primitive camping on the ranch is available with a weekend pass.
Rodeo Daze
During the North Star Stampede, July 25-26, the city of Effie will host vendors, food, children’s games and the Boot Hunt.
The Neighborhood Bar will sponsor the Boot Hunt: clues will be posted starting on Saturday morning. There will be children’s games and a sawdust pile at the Community Center starting at 10 a.m. The Pie Social at the Fredheim Lutheran Church will begin at 2 p.m. and the parade line up is at 6:30 p.m. To become a vendor or for more information call Lil at (218) 743-3836.
