Fireworks Displays and Fourth of July Events in Central Minnesota — Our Top Five

The 64th Annual St. Cloud Fireworks display is a great family-friendly event in downtown St. Cloud. During the day you can enjoy activities at either Hester Park or Wilson Park along the Mississippi River. Last year I was at Hester Park for the festivities and I saw families picnicking, tossing the Frisbee and enjoying quality time outdoors with the little ones running around their blankets in the grass. Across the river in Wilson Park, families brought their dogs out with them so they could run around in the dog park, several groups of friends were hanging out having some cold ones and of course there is a special seating section for military families with the best viewing area. The St. Cloud Fireworks are free and feature a huge display that lasts about 20 minutes. The fireworks typically go off around 10 p.m.

Each year the St. Joseph Parish sponsors the Parish Festival and Joetown Rocks on the 4th of July Weekend. This year’s event kicks off on Sunday, July 3 with the Joetown Rocks Festival and concert in downtown St. Joseph. I was at this event last year and had a great time. There are multiple bands that are on stage throughout the day and the night is capped off with Bobby Vee, Family and Friends and a free fireworks show! The annual 4th of July Parade is sponsored by the Lions Club and is one of the biggest parades in Central Minnesota. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. from St. Ben’s campus and heads through downtown St. Joe. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been in this parade and you’ll need to come early to get a good spot as sometimes you’ll see people 8-10 deep alongside the parade route. My suggestion is to get as close to the beginning of the route as possible to let the kids grab candy – a lot of times everyone runs out just before the end of the parade! After the parade, stick around for a BBQ Pork Lunch, Bingo, a quilt auction and music from our good friends Smok’n Guns Band!

Get your holiday weekend started with a bang. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber invites you to a big fireworks show they say will “blow you away.” The pyrotechnics will launch over Sand Island on the south end of Cross Lake. And the Chamber of Commerce has some advice on the best viewing sports from land and the water.

There’s nothing like being at the lake for the 4th of July. And no one does hometown 4th of July like the Stars and Stripes Days celebration at Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes. There’s all sorts of stuff to do on July 3rd, including food vendors, fireman’s rodeo, carnival games and inflatables for the kids at Trailside Park. That evening, there’s live music before the fireworks at dusk. And on the 4th itself, there’s a full slate of stuff for the whole family including a karaoke contest, bed races and the big Stars and Stripes Parade.

Spicer has a three-day celebration planned to celebrate Independence Day the down home community festival way. From Saturday through Monday, there are softball and basketball tournaments, arts and crafts and antique flea market sales, street dances, a Belgium waffle feed, kiddie and Grand Day parades and a community band concert. It all comes to a close with the big Spicer Fireworks Fantastic over Green Lake.