Free admission. Free parking. Free games and activities.
Minnesota Family Festival comes to The Park Event Center in Waite Park on Sunday, Sept. 20, bringing families from across Minnesota together for live music, inflatables, games and hands-on fun.
Opening ceremonies begin at 9:30 AM with a St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting led by Chamber President Julie Lunning and the Chamber’s official Top Hat Ambassadors. The Waite Park American Legion Honor Guard will present the colors at 9:40 AM. Doors open at 9:45 AM, when Maddie Moore will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” and continue with a musical set to start the festival.
Festival activities run from 10 AM to 3 PM, with music concluding by 4 PM.
Families can compete in a giant Zorb Ball race, try inflatable jousting, enjoy bounce houses and games, and explore activities throughout the festival. Central Minnesota Council, Scouting America will bring an inflatable archery experience.
Outside, families can get an up-close look at a Waite Park Fire Department truck, Waite Park squad car and large Traut Companies truck.
Live music will include selections from the Minnesota Family Festival Soundtrack. Aksel Krafnick performs from 11 AM to noon, including “Home on the Range” and “Clementine.” Minnesota singer-songwriter Charlie Roth performs from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, including “Red River Valley.” From 2:30 to 3 PM, Kathy Kampa will lead young children and their families in singing and dancing, including “She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain.”
More than 20 businesses, nonprofits, public agencies and community organizations are helping bring the festival to life. Leading support comes from the St. Joseph Lions Club, Funtastic FunInflatable Party Rentals, Sentry Bank, Granite City Jump and Central Minnesota Council, Scouting America. The St. Joseph Lions Club will also offer free eye exams and collect used eyeglass frames.
Other sponsors and participating organizations include JD Home Healthcare, Traut Companies, St. Cloud Honda, St. Cloud Youth Hockey, Amy Hedtke State Farm, St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club, Northcrest Kids Activity Center, Nurture to Play, Bravo Burrito, YMCA, Waite Park Police, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Aslan Health, St. Cloud Friends of the Library, Dee Chen Kung Fu and the St. Cloud Chess Club.
Food will be available for purchase throughout the event, with a breakfast menu in the morning and a separate lunch menu later in the day.
Minnesota Family Festival
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
The Park Event Center, Waite Park
Opening ceremonies: 9:30 AM
Doors open: 9:45 AM
Festival activities: 10 AM–3 PM
Music concludes by 4 PM
Free admission, parking, games and festival activities.
Learn more at minnesotafamilymagazine.com/festival.