NEXT FESTIVAL TO ATTEND

NEXT FESTIVAL TO ATTEND Fantastic Fourth

of July in Chanhassen

The Chanhassen Fourth of July celebration takes place every year on July 2, 3 and 4.

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Three-day festival is fun for the whole family

BY LYDIA CHRISTIANSON

One of the quintessential events in Chanhassen is its Fourth of July celebration.

The festival takes place every year on July 2, 3 and 4. This year will be the city’s 39th annual celebration.

The three-day festival encompasses events and activities that can be enjoyed by everyone, from children to adults to seniors, said Priya Tandon, Chanhassen recreation coordinator. There’s something for everyone, she added. Most of the celebration centers around City Center Park in downtown Chanhassen.

On Saturday, July 2, the family friendly

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The city’s Fourth of July Celebration is fun for all ages.

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carnival kicks off. There will be discounted carnival rides, concessions and games. The carnival will run through July 4.

On Sunday, July 3, is a family activity day including games and contests. The city will also partner with the SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce for a business expo, which will showcase local businesses.

There will be a variety of live music performances and the Rotary Club of Chanhassen will put on the Taste of Chanhassen, which runs through July 4. Attendees can purchase food, beer and seltzer. On Sunday night there will also be a street dance that thousands of people show up for, Tandon said.

Monday, July 4 is the last day of the festival. The Rotary Club of Chanhassen will put on a classic car show and there will be activities going on at Lake Ann Park, such as a medallion hunt, sand sculpture contest and a fishing contest.

A large Fourth of July parade will take place on the last day of the festival. In the parade, presented by the Rotary Club of Chanhassen, are typically between 70 and 90 floats. Starting about three days in advance, it isn’t unusual to see towels and chairs set out to save seats for the parade, Tandon said. A fireworks display at Lake Ann Park will close out the Fourth of July celebration. The fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

The Fourth of July celebration is a festival that the community really rallies around, Tandon said. She estimates that over the three days, around 70,000 people participate in the event. Many of the attendees are from the area and have made it their tradition to come every year, she said, adding it also draws people from the entire Twin Cities area.

For anyone interested in partaking in the festivities, Tandon recommends they check out the city’s website for the full schedule of events, locations and cost. There is so much going on so people won’t want to miss out on something they were looking forward to, she said. To get information on the festival, visit ci.chanhassen. mn.us/272/4th-of-July-Celebration.

The lively celebration is a great way for community members to see each other and get to know their neighbors, Tandon said, adding the event has a small town community feel to it.

“It’s a great place just to connect with the community,” Tandon said. l n he FILE PHOTO BY MARK W. OLSON

The Taste of Chanhassen and the midway draw in crowds during the Fourth of July celebration.

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The classic car show is one of many fun activities to take part in during the three-day festival

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