Schedule of Events
There are SO many reasons to visit and we have planned a summer festival like no other. As always, we offer a week's worth of fun for only $5 per person, ages 5 and under FREE because of our amazing sponsors. There is no place like a small town, no place like Minnesota and no place like Crookston. There will be games, parades, fireworks, a car show, pageants, tournaments, contests, bouncy houses and entertainment including a street dance, live bands, and so much more!
NOTE: Backup location is the CROOKSTON SPORTS CENTER in case of bad weather.
$ Indicates additional cost
Click on the Blue Links below for Maps!
2024 Ox Cart Days Schedule of Events SOON
2023's schedule...
Monday, August 14
9:00 a.m. - Kids Lemonade Stand Contest Begins! - Sponsor: Grove Mechanical $
To register, contact Jess by email at jess.bengtson@gmail.com or call/text 701-610-6454 - see the full list of participants on the HOME page or on Crookston Ox Cart Days Facebook page
9:00 a.m. - Summer Arts Safari and Crookston Community Theatre presents "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Kids" with registration from 9-10 a.m. at Highland Elementary School for grades 3-9 and practices Monday-Friday, Aug. 14-18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Highland. Cost for kids to participate is $25 with t-shirt included. Bring your own lunch and water bottle each day. Performances will be Friday, Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. at Highland Elementary. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6-12 and kids under five are free. Questions? Call Fugi Baig at 218-281-1785.
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Taste of Crookston @ Crookston Eagles Club - Sponsor: United Valley Bank $
Register for a booth: contact Sheila Menard at shmother@hotmail.com
7:00 p.m. - Miss Crookston Scholarship Pageant "Get Your Sparkle On" - @ Crookston High School $
7:30 p.m. - The "Oldie Wed" Game hosted by Mel Lessard - @ Crookston Inn
Tuesday, August 15
All Day: Kids Lemonade Stands - Sponsor: Grove Mechanical $ - see the full list of participants on the HOME page or on Crookston Ox Cart Days Facebook page
3-on-3 UMC Teambacker Basketball Tournament @ UMN Crookston Wellness Center and Lysaker Gymnasium. Cost $20.00 per player. All proceeds will benefit Golden Eagle Athletics. For more info, email mchristo@umn.edu or call 218-281-8679. Register here: https://mensbasketball.umcsportscamps.com/3-vs-3-basketball-tournament.cfm
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Ox Cart Days Cook Out Fundraiser @ Hugo's Family Marketplace Crookston $5
5:15 p.m. - Supermarket Sweep with 2023 contestants Te Durbin and Crystal Meine @ Hugo's Family Marketplace Crookston
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Road Rally @ Downtown Square Red Barn - Sponsor: Hong's Chinese Restaurant
7:30 p.m. - Let's Make a Deal Game Show hosted by Mel Lessard @ Crookston Inn and Convention Center
Wednesday, August 16
All Day - Kids Lemonade Stands - Sponsor: Grove Mechanical $ - see the full list of participants on the HOME page or on Crookston Ox Cart Days Facebook page
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Ice Cream Social @ University of Minnesota Crookston Campus Mall
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Jigsaw Puzzle Contest @ Crookston Eagles Club - Sponsor: Crookston Eagles Club
4:30 p.m. - Medallion Hunt First Clue @ University of Minnesota Crookston Campus Mall - Sponsor: Thrivent Financial with Garret Kollin and Phil Thompson & Associates
4:30 p.m. - United Way Golf Ball Drop @ University of Minnesota Crookston Campus Mall; $10 per ticket and need not be present to win (prizes are $250 cash, $50 gift card, $20 gift card) Call 218-281-1715 or email exec@unitedwayofcrookston.org to get tickets or for more info.
5:00 p.m. - Youth Dodgeball NOW AT THE TENNIS COURTS BY HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY; concessions by RiverView Auxiliary- Sponsor: RiverView Health $ Register here: FORM
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Minnesota Wheel of Trivia @ Drafts Sports Bar & Grill - Sponsor: Drafts Sports Bar & Grill
Thursday, August 17
All Day - Kids Lemonade Stands - Sponsor: Grove Mechanical $ - see the full list of participants on the HOME page or on Crookston Ox Cart Days Facebook page
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Food Truck Fest @ Downtown Square $ Lulu's Little Bites, Grandma's Cookie Jar, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Tacho Man, Ohana Shaved Ice
1:00 p.m. - Matinee Movie @ Grand Theatre - $1
2:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Featured Event : 3rd Lair Skatepark with skateboard activities, instruction, BMX riders, demos, contests, and giveaways - Downtown Square - Sponsor: Bremer Bank
4:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Bounce Houses @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: McDonald's Crookston
4:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Beer Gardens @ Downtown Square By Irishman's Shanty and Drafts Sports Bar & Grill $
4:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Bible Baptist Church's Neighborhood Bible Time with Dunk Tank @ Downtown Square
5:00 p.m. - Kids Tractor Pull @ East 2nd Street and Ash Street - Sponsor: AgCountry Farm Credit Services
5:00 p.m. - Ribfest Fundraiser @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: Crookston Lions Club $
5:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Air Boat Rides on the River @ Central Park - Sponsor: Crookston Inn $
6:30 p.m. - Summer Concert featuring band "Kissing Company" @ Crookston Public Library
8:00 p.m. - Lip Sync Contest @ Downtown Square Stage - Sponsor: Christian Brothers Ford
Friday, August 18
6:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Pancake Breakfast @ Crookston Fire Department Main Street - Free Will Donations Accepted
8:00 a.m. Registration - Blue Line Golf Scramble @ Minakwa Golf Course $
All Day - Kids Lemonade Stands - Sponsor: Grove Mechanical $ - see the full list of participants on the HOME page or on Crookston Ox Cart Days Facebook page
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. - Food Truck Fest @ Downtown Square $ Lulu's Little Bites, Grandma's Cookie Jar, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Tacho Man, Ohana Shaved Ice, Driftwood
12:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Air Boat Rides on the River @ Central Park - Sponsor: Crookston Inn $
1:00 p.m. - Matinee Movie @ Grand Theatre - $1
4:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Bounce Houses @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: McDonalds Crookston
4:00-8:00 p.m. - Face Painting @ Downtown Square
4:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Beer Gardens @ Downtown Square By Irishman's Shanty and Drafts Sports Bar & Grill $
5:00 p.m. - Community S'mores @ Downtown Square - Sponsors: Alluma and Dandies Marshmallows
5:00 p.m. - Beer Tasting @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: Drafts Sports Bar & Grill
5:00 p.m. - Band "The Lonely Pines" @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: LeBlanc Realty
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - KidZone Fun and Games @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: Bremer Bank
5:30 p.m. - Summer Arts Safari and Crookston Community Theatre presents "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Kids" at Highland Elementary School
6:00 p.m. - Class of 1983 will be celebrating their 40th reunion Friday, August 18 at 6 p.m. at the Crookston Eagles Club. They'll also be celebrating on Saturday, August 19 from 6 p.m. to close at Scobey's Pub & Grub inside the Crookston Inn. Hotel reservations are available at the Cobblestone Hotel at 2304 Sahlstrom Drive in Crookston. The group block is 20 rooms reserved under Class Reunion 83 (king or two queens) and dates are August 18-20 at a rate of $110 per night which includes breakfast. Classmates should call 218-470-1111 to reserve their room and provide a card. Free cancellation up to one week prior to arrival. If you are a member of that class and have any questions, contact Kenny Perreault at kperr@icloud.com.
7:00 p.m. - Class of 2003 will host their reunion Friday, August 18 at 7 p.m. at Minakwa Golf Course. There will be a taco buffet, bean bag tournament, and prizes. Spouse or partner welcome, but the event is for ages 21 and up. Cost is $25 per adult. Register for the 2003 reunion at https://myevent.com/crookston2003?fbclid=IwAR2UCt-RHc7jN9R1brwGlLYUEByvBPXNrpIK-jr778B2pwNMcyrXOOV9KRc_aem_AV0GmR9SilHOV6WbU6LxGkPN3253ELv2NCl8ohTbFfawN3xjp5chq8Ij2oP1yDijJsI&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
9:00 p.m. - Midnight - Teen Dance @ Downtown Square - Sponsored by The Grand Theatre and Erin LaPlante State Farm Insurance (Button required, available at gate)
Saturday, August 19
7:30 a.m. - 5k/Little Tykes Run Registration @ Ash Street
8:30 a.m. - 5k/ Little Tykes Run @ Ash Street - Sponsors: Biermaier Chiropractic Clinic and RiverView Health $ Register here https://www.raceentry.com/races/crookston-ox-cart-days-5k-and-little-tykes-fun-run/2023/register and find the map here https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/2021-ox-cart-days-5k-d4c2e4a
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Farmer's Market @ Downtown Square Red Barn
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Vendor Show @ Ash Street - Sponsor: Crookston Eye Clinic $
9:00 a.m. - Pickleball Tournament @ Schuster Park - Sponsor: American Federal Bank
9:00 a.m. - Softball Co-Ed Tournament @ Ray Ecklund Complex - For more info or to register, email oxcartsoftball@yahoo.com or contact Seth Desrosier. 8 teams/$300 entry fee/cash payouts
9:30 a.m. - Veteran's Recognition Ceremony @ Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall - 205 South Broadway; This year's honorees include Jeff Durbin, Kurt Ellefson, Caesar Kaiser, and Brent Stahlecker
10:00 a.m. - Classic Cruisers Car Show @ Crookston Inn and Convention Center & Cobblestone Inn
10:00 a.m. - Kiddie Parade @ Benedictine Living Community - Sponsor: Wish Upon A Star
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Bounce Houses @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: McDonalds Crookston
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - KidZone Fun and Games @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: Bremer Bank
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - National Guard Rock Climbing Wall & Punching Bag @ Downtown Square
11:00 a.m. - Summer Arts Safari and Crookston Community Theatre presents "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Kids" at Highland Elementary School
11:00 a.m. - Midnight - Food Truck Fest @ Downtown Square $ Lulu's Little Bites, Grandma's Cookie Jar, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Tacho Man, Ohana Shaved Ice, Driftwood
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Beer Gardens @ Downtown Square By Irishman's Shanty and Drafts Sports Bar & Grill $
11:00 a.m. - Horse Driven Wagon Rides by Point Paradise Stables through Central Park @ Central Park Entrance
11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Air Boat Rides on the River @ Central Park - Sponsor: Crookston Inn $
12:00 p.m. - Happy Joe's Pizza Eating Contest @ Downtown Square Stage - Sponsor: Happy Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor
12:00-3:00 p.m. - Buckshot and Bandit Nowacki Oxen Team @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: Thrivent Financial with Garret Kollin and Phil Thompson & Associates
12:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Community S'mores @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: Alluma and Dandies Marshmallows
12:00 p.m. - Cornhole Tournament @ Drafts Sports Bar & Grill - Sponsor: Drafts $
12:00 - 4:00 p.m - Drop and Shoot with the Blue Line Club @ Downtown Square
12:30 p.m. - Tae Kwon Do Demonstration @ Downtown Square Stage - By Crookston Championship Tae Kwon Do
12:00-5:00 p.m. - Central High School Reunion Class of 1963 will meet at the Irishman's Shanty
1:00 p.m. - Just for Kix Dance Performance @ Downtown Square Stage
1:30 p.m. - Build A Buddy Workshop @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: Longtin Agency $10 per Buddy
6:00 p.m. - U of MN/Maroon and Gold Themed Parade Yard Party Contest - North Broadway/West 7th Street/Central Avenue/Barrette Street
7:00 p.m. - Torchlight Parade - North Broadway/West 7th Street/Central Avenue/Barrette Street - Sponsor: Crookston Lions Club - Email derekdmartin@gmail.com to register or access the form HERE
9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. - Beer Gardens @ Downtown Square By Irishman's Shanty and Drafts Sports Bar & Grill $
9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. - "The Rude Band" Street Dance @ Downtown Square - Sponsor: H&R Block Crookston
Buttons Are $10 at Gate after 7pm on Saturday ($5 before that so buy early!)
10:00 p.m. Fireworks on the Red Lake Riverbank Downtown
Sunday, August 20
9:00 a.m. - Pickleball Tournament @ Schuster Park - Sponsor: American Federal Bank
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Grocery Bingo @ Downtown Square Red Barn - Sponsor: Hugo's
12:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Video Games on the Big Screen @ Grand Theater
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Woodfire Pizza and Concert with Crookston Community Jazz Band and Bemidji Bogtrotters @ Wesley United Methodist Church $ Pizza
$ Indicates additional cost
Click on the blue links above for maps!
