The Ox Cart Days committee is bringing back fun in ’21 with a full festival planned for August 16-22 in Crookston. The Ox Cart Days committee will welcome both new and returning events including fan favorites such as the Torchlight Parade and Rib Fest plus a street dance with rock tribute band Snake Oil.
“We are planning for a full festival this year,” said Ox Cart Days Board Chair Jess Bengston. “Our exec committee came up with the phrase “We’re bringing back fun in 21” and that is exactly what we are trying to do with our scheduled events which is almost full. We have 60-plus events already on the schedule. We have some great sponsorships coming in, and we have new ones so that will help bring some additional things to town.”
Some of the events are listed below –
Monday, August 16 – Taste of Crookston and the start of the Kid’s Lemonade Stand Contests
Tuesday – Little Miss and Junior Miss Crookston pageants, plus a cookout and Supermarket Sweep contest at Hugo’s
Wednesday – Crookston Gun Club lunch and demo, plus a variety of events and dedications at the University of Minnesota Crookston UTOC Arena
Thursday – Circus-themed evening on Ash Street downtown with trapeze artists, fire dancers, and stilt walkers, Rib Fest, and more
Friday – United Way of Crookston Beach Bash with the band “Island Time”, beer and wine tasting, a Crookston native’s movie premiere at the Grand Theatre, plus Miss Crookston Scholarship and Miss Tootsie pageants
Saturday – Goat Yoga, Art/Craft/Vendor Show, Car Show, Parade, Street Dance, and Fireworks
Sunday – Mud Run and Water Wars
Festival buttons will again be $5 each with kids under five get in for free thanks to the generous sponsors. Buttons will be available in June exclusively at Hugo’s Family Marketplace or through a committee member.
On the festival website, www.crookstonoxcartdays.com, visitors will find an almost-completed schedule with 60+ different events – something for everyone each day of the week.
Are you interested in hosting an event or becoming a sponsor? Email the festival at crookstonoxcartdays@gmail.com, call or text 701-610-6454 or send them a message on their website or social media.
