2026 STARS & STRIPES DAYS

Celebrate America's 250th Pequot Lakes Style! Celebrate our Nation’s Independence on July 3rd & 4th in Pequot Lakes! You’ll find fun activities for the whole family: food vendors, bean bag tournament, kid's activities, music, craft fair, parade, fireworks, and more! You won't want to miss Minnesota’s BEST small town Fourth of July celebration. Parade Registration Sign up by June 26, 2026 Walk, drive, march, or ride—thousands will see your float on July 4th. NEW! // Blinky Button Specials Purchase a 2026 Stars & Stripes Days Souvenir Blinky Button at participating locations for just $5 and enjoy special savings at your favorite shops July 3-4, 2026! EVENT LIST Friday, July 3, 2026 5:00 PM // Food Vendors (South Trailside Park) Confirmed food & drink vendors: Bubba's BBQ Pit / Iwona's Perogies / K&D Kettle Corn / Kading Enterprises / Mister Lemonade / Pronto Pups / Crawford's One Stop Sweet Shop / MN Traders Co. / Snarky's Hideout 5:00 PM // Bean Bag Tournament Registration (South Trailside Park & Main Street) $20 per team, 2 players per team. Youth bracket 8-14 years old. Adult bracket 15+ years old. Rules will be posted at registration. This is a single elimination tournament. 5:00 PM // Kid’s Activities (South Trailside Park) Bungee Trampoline, Bounce House, & Kids Climb 6:00 PM // Bean Bag Tournament (South Trailside Park & Main Street) Cash Prizes awarded to 1st and 2nd place teams in the adult bracket Prizes awarded to 1st and 2nd place teams in the youth bracket This is a fun and family friendly event. Tournament proceeds help support event operations and future community events. 7:00-7:30 PM // Sign up for Loon Calling Contest (South Trailside Park near band) Test your loon calling skills in the Loon Calling Contest. Age groups include: 12 & Under and 13 & Older. Prizes and bragging rights will be awarded to 1st place in both age groups! 7:30 PM // Loon Calling Contest (South Trailside Park) A special thank you to the volunteers from the National Loon Center, who will be serving as judges for the contest. 8:00 PM // LIVE MUSIC by The Rusty Zippers (South Trailside Park) Band will start immediately following the Loon Calling Contest between 8:00-8:15PM. DUSK // Fireworks by North Star Fireworks (Pequot Lakes High School) Saturday, July 4, 2026 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM // Pancake Breakfast (Pequot Lakes Fire Hall on Main Street) 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM // Craft Fair & Food Vendors (South Trailside Park) Confirmed food & drink vendors: Bubba's BBQ Pit / Iwona's Perogies / K&D Kettle Corn / Kading Enterprises / Mister Lemonade / Pronto Pups / Crawford's One Stop Sweet Shop / Snarky's Hideout 9:00 AM // Kid’s Activities (South Trailside Park) Bungee Trampoline, Bounce House & Kids Climb, Water Wars. 9:30 AM // Kiddie Parade by Community Action of Pequot Lakes - (Band Shelter, North Trailside Park) 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM // Parade Line Up (Pequot Lakes Middle School Parking Lot) 10:00 AM // "Time with the Founders" - Great American Speeches (Main Street - behind Near North / Across from the Pequot Lakes American Legion) 10:30 AM // Ice Cream Eating Contest at The Outpost - (31078 Government Drive) 11:15AM // Unicycling Unicorn performs on Government Drive - Fun for the entire family. Come and watch the show! 12:00 PM // Stars and Stripes Day Parade Parade begins at east side of the Pequot Lakes School The Parade Route has been updated for 2026 due to construction. Please continue to check back for updates, as the route may return to Front Street if construction is completed in time. If any additional changes are made, an updated parade map will be posted below.