ANNUAL EVENTS
ALL YEAR-ROUND
Owatonna is known for fun events year-round. The Steele County Free Fair is the largest county fair in Minnesota, bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the fairgrounds each August. Smokin’ in Steele BBQ and Blues Festival offers the perfect combination of barbeque tastings and blues music. The Extravaganza at Village of Yesteryear will take you back in time with reenactments and demonstrations. Check out our calendar of events for the most up-to-date information.
TOP ANNUAL EVENTS
Bold & Cold Winter Festival
January 27 – 29, 2023
A week-long winter celebration with events and activities and activities that are designed to highlight the Minnesota psyche of “cold noses and warm heart!”
Facebook: boldcoldowatonna
North American Farm and Power Show
March 16 -18, 2023
Held in at the Four Seasons in Owatonna for the past 18 years, this is a great show for farmers and families alike.
Website: www.tradexpos.com
KOWZ & KRUE Home & Recreation Show
March 24 – 26, 2023
Stop by the Four Seasons for all of your home and recreation needs!
Website: www.kowzfm.com
Farmers’ Market in Central Park
Saturdays May – October | 7am-12pm
Stop by Central Park every Saturday during the summer to pick up fresh vegetables, flowers and fun hand-crafted items from more than 80 vendors.
Website: View Facebook
Corky’s Early Bird Softball Tournament
May 5 – 7, 2023
This slow-pitch softball tournament is one of the largest and most competitive men’s softball tournaments in the country. Held at the Steele County Fairgrounds Softball Complex and various fields throughout Owatonna & Faribault.
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Rustic Mama’s Spring Craft Show
May 6, 2023
Colorful and full of life, the Rustic Mama’s spring market at Four Seasons Centre has vendors inside and out; with food, music and more!
Website: View Facebook
Owatonna Motor Company Summer Series- Cutting Horse Competitions
May 19-21; June 16-18; July 7-9
Enjoy this modern equestrian competition, where a horse and rider is required to seperate a single cow from a herd of cattle. The cutting horse has its roots in the historic cattle ranching industry, where horses with specialized cattle-handling skills were cruicial for the work of the cowboy.
11@7 Concert Series
Every Thursday evening June 1 – Aug 10th
Enjoy the wide variety of musical groups that perform throughout the summer on Thursdays at 7pm in Central Park.
Website: View Facebook
Downtown Thursdays
June 1st, July 6th, August 3rd, September 7th, 2023
The night market is returning to historic Downtown Owatonna with music, food, shopping and art.
Website: www.owatonna.org/downtown-thursdays
Smokin’ in Steele BBQ & Blues Festival
June 2-3, 2023
A smokin’ good time! Kansas City Sanctioned BBQ Competition and live blues music at this one-of-a-kind event.
Website: www.smokininsteele.com
Juneteenth Celebration
June 17, 2023
Celebrate African American history, culture and progress at Alliance for Greater Equity’s Juneteenth Celebration with live music, food and games.
Website: www.allianceforgreaterequity.org
Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival
June 17, 2023
This festival showcases competitive high school marching bands and pays homage to the vision and work of the founder of Wenger Co., Harry Wenger.
Website: www.owatonnabandfestival.com
Extravaganza at the Village of Yesteryear
2nd Sunday in July | 12:00-4:00PM
Enjoy a Sunday afternoon of music, food, historic demonstrations, antique tractor show and more during this family day of historically related fun! All Village of Yesteryear buildings are open to enjoy.
Website: www.schsmn.org
Gus’ Station Car Show
July 15, 2023
Are you into cars? Do you like history? Well then this just might be the event for you! Gus’ Station Car Show is an annual event that brings the automobile to center stage. Featuring classic cars of all ages, new and old, domestics and imports, all are put on display during this annual event. Visitors get the chance to stroll the Village of Yesteryear and the SHCS campus while viewing classic cars and voting on your favorites.
Website: www.schsmn.org
Owatonna Gem Days
July 20 – 23, 2023
Owatonna refuses to be defined by just one thing, so we have created GEM DAYS to celebrate all that we are. We celebrate our natural features, our beautiful buildings, our history and our legends. We celebrate our art and music, our food and drink, our attractions and our entertainment.
Website: www.exploreminnesota.com
Steele County Free Fair
August 15 – 20, 2023
Don’t miss Owatonna’s signature event – the largest county fair in the state of Minnesota! The fair offers a wide variety of events and attractions, and admission is free!
Website: www.scff.org
State School Orphanage Museum’s Fall Celebration
September 16, 2023
Honor the legacy of the 10,635 children who called the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children Home between 1886 and 1945. This annual event lends the opportunity to learn about the history of the school. Explore the Museum, historic Cottage 11, the Children’s Cemetery, and interactive campus to get a glimpse of what life was like for the children who called the orphanage their home.
Website: http://orphanagemuseum.com/
Rustic Mamas’ Market
September 16, 2023
Comfy, cozy, spicy, pretty, yummy….all things fall/winter can be found inside. There will be food trucks and, of course, hand-picked talent from area vendors. Grab that flannel, your crew and come say hey!
Website: facebook.com/therusticmamas
Oktoberfest Festivities
September & October
Celebrate with Mineral Springs Brewery as they kick off the season September 22 & 23 under the big-top tent with games competitions, music and entertainment2, food and specialty brews highlighting the traditions of the German Heritage. Dig out your lederhosen and dirndls, grab your steins and get ready for Oktoberfest! Foremost Brewing Cooperative continues Oktoberfest highlighting specialty brews and music into October.
Spooktacular Festivities
October 28 – 29, 2023
Owatonna goes big for Halloween with several large events geared towards families this week.
Website: visitowatonna.org
Lighted Holiday Parade
Dec 1, 2023
Bundle up and head to downtown Owatonna for the Lighted Holiday Parade starting at 6pm. Parade vehicles will be decked out in their finest holiday lights. The parade ends with carolers and cider in Central Park.
Website: www.visitowatonna.org
Christmas in the Village
Dec 1-3, 2023
The Steele County Historical Society’s Christmas in the Village is an annual event designed to bring out the child in all of us. Cookie sales, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, Christmas music, and of course Santa Claus! This multi-day event occurs in early December and is one of our most beloved annual traditions. Make sure to check in to see what is in store for the year during the fall months, as Christmas in the Village changes every year.
Website: https://www.schsmn.org/annual-events
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